Black Sesame Seed
- Chinese
- 黑芝麻
- Pinyin
- Hei Zhi Ma
- Latin
- Semen Sesami Nigrum
Known in TCM as Hei Zhi Ma (黑芝麻), this sweet, neutral herb enters the Liver and Kidney. Traditionally, it nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin while enriching essence and Blood - classically used for dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, premature graying, and hair loss when deep deficiency and dryness are present, most often applied for constipation, hair loss, and dizziness. Modern research has identified Sesamin among its active constituents.
Part used: Seed
Also Known As
Latin: Semen Sesami Nigrum | Pinyin: Hei Zhi Ma | Chinese: 黑芝麻
TCM Properties
- Taste
- sweet
- Temperature
- neutral
- Channels
- Liver, Kidney
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin while enriching essence and Blood - classically used for dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, premature graying, and hair loss when deep deficiency and dryness are present.
- Moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels - the oily seed is especially useful for dry constipation in older adults, postpartum patients, or those recovering from prolonged illness.
- Supports hair and skin through food-medicine tonification - widely used in medicinal foods, powders, and congee to gently restore constitutional depletion without strong heating or coldness.
- Fits long-term deficiency recovery better than emergency treatment - Hei Zhi Ma works gradually by replenishing depleted substance rather than forcing rapid symptom suppression.
Secondary Actions
- Classical texts sometimes use the name Hu Ma for sesame-related substances, and later writers worked to distinguish Hei Zhi Ma from flaxseed and other oily seeds with overlapping moistening actions.
- Because it is pleasant tasting and food-grade, Hei Zhi Ma is one of the most approachable Liver-Kidney nourishing substances in the materia medica.
Classic Formulas
- Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan (七宝美髯丹) - famous essence-and-blood tonic formula for premature graying, weak sinews, dizziness, and depletion patterns, using Hei Zhi Ma to support hair and the Liver-Kidney axis.
- Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang (清燥救肺汤) - dryness-rescuing Lung formula in which Hei Zhi Ma contributes moistening support when dryness injures fluids and the bowels become dry.
Classical References
- Me and Qi describes Hei Zhi Ma as sweet and neutral, entering the Liver and Kidney channels to nourish essence and Blood, moisten the intestines, and benefit the hair, ears, and eyes.
- Later classical discussions of formulas such as Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan made black sesame a standard adjunct for premature graying and deficiency-related hair loss because black-colored seeds were thought to strongly enter the Kidneys.
- Traditional food therapy and medicinal-diet practice use Hei Zhi Ma extensively in paste, powder, congee, and pill forms, reinforcing its status as a medicine-food rather than a harsh corrective herb.
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Sesamin (lignan) - the best-known sesame lignan associated with antioxidant, antihypertensive, and lipid-regulating research
- Sesamolin (lignan) - companion lignan with antioxidant and metabolic regulatory relevance
- Sesamol (phenolic antioxidant) - a potent processed sesame antioxidant linked to anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective research
- Black seed-coat anthocyanins and phenolics (pigmented polyphenols) - contribute color-specific antioxidant and anti-inflammatory interest in black sesame
- Oleic and linoleic acids (fatty acids) - major oil components that help explain the seed's lubricating and nutritive profile
Studied Effects
- A meta-analysis of controlled trials found sesame consumption reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, supporting the cardiometabolic side of modern sesame research (PMID 28387047)
- A systematic review of sesame oil literature summarized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects involving COX, cytokine, NF-kappaB, and oxidative-stress pathways (PMID 31373097)
- A 2024 metabolomic study of black sesame seeds highlighted processing-sensitive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, reinforcing the species-specific functional-food reputation of Hei Zhi Ma (PMID 38163704)
- A meta-analysis of randomized trials found sesamin supplementation improved blood pressure and lipid-profile measures, giving a modern mechanistic correlate for sesame's long use in deficiency and aging support (PMID 35311241)
PubMed References
- Can sesame consumption improve blood pressure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials (2017)
- A systematic review on antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) oil and further confirmation of antiinflammatory activity by chemical profiling and molecular docking (2019)
- Metabolomic analysis of black sesame seeds: Effects of processing and active compounds in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (2024)
- The Effects of Sesamin Supplementation on Obesity, Blood Pressure, and Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (2022)
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Loose stools or diarrhea from Spleen deficiency without dryness
- Pronounced phlegm-damp stagnation with inability to digest rich oily seeds
Cautions
- Because Hei Zhi Ma is oily and moistening, excessive use may aggravate loose stools in patients with weak digestion
- Patients with sesame allergy should avoid medicinal as well as culinary use
- MSK page not found - drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database
Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Black Sesame Seed used for?
Black Sesame Seed is traditionally used to Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin while enriching essence and Blood - classically used for dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, premature graying, and hair loss when deep deficiency and dryness are present., Moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels - the oily seed is especially useful for dry constipation in older adults, postpartum patients, or those recovering from prolonged illness., Supports hair and skin through food-medicine tonification - widely used in medicinal foods, powders, and congee to gently restore constitutional depletion without strong heating or coldness., Fits long-term deficiency recovery better than emergency treatment - Hei Zhi Ma works gradually by replenishing depleted substance rather than forcing rapid symptom suppression.. Research has investigated its effects on: A meta-analysis of controlled trials found sesame consumption reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, supporting the cardiometabolic side of modern sesame research (PMID 28387047); A systematic review of sesame oil literature summarized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects involving COX, cytokine, NF-kappaB, and oxidative-stress pathways (PMID 31373097).
What are other names for Black Sesame Seed?
Black Sesame Seed is also known as Sesami. In TCM: 黑芝麻 (Hei Zhi Ma); Semen Sesami Nigrum.
Is Black Sesame Seed safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Black Sesame Seed during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Black Sesame Seed?
Black Sesame Seed should not be used in: Loose stools or diarrhea from Spleen deficiency without dryness; Pronounced phlegm-damp stagnation with inability to digest rich oily seeds. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.