Sesame seed

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is a flowering plant in the genus Sesamum, belonging to the family Pedaliaceae. It is one of the oldest seeds known to man. Sesame is cultivated for its edible seeds, which grow in pods. "Open sesame," the famous phrase from the Arabian Nights, refers to the sesame seed pod, which bursts open when it reaches maturity.

It is an annual plant growing to 2-3 feet tall, with opposite leaves 5.5 inches long, and 2 inches broad. One to three flowers appear in the leaf axils. The fruit, about one inch long, is an oblong capsule with small seeds. Each plant may grow 15-20 fruits, which contain 70-100 seeds each. Plants and fruits will reach maturity in 80-100 days after sowing. When the seeds are ripe the capsule bursts open suddenly and scatters its seeds.

The majority of the wild species of the genus Sesamum are native to Africa. However the sesame seed was first domesticated in India. There is archaeological evidence that it was cultivated at Harappa in the Indus Valley between 2250 and 1750 BC, and more recent evidence of charred sesame seeds in Miri Qalat and Shahi Tump in the Makran region of Pakistan.

The word sesame is from Latin sesamum, "seed or fruit of the sesame plant". In northern India, there are two independent names for it: Sanskrit 'tila', and (Hindi/Urdu)'til'. Most of the Dravidian languages in South India feature an independent name for sesame eg 'ellu' and 'Nuvvulu'.

Sesame features in Urdu literature as the two proverbs show:"til dharnay ki jagah na hona"; meaning, ‘a place so crowded that there is no room for a single seed of sesame’, and "in tilon mein teil nahee" for a person who is very mean, meaning ‘there is no oil left in this sesame seed’.

Sesame is grown primarily for its oil-rich seeds which come in a variety of colours, from cream-white to charcoal-black. Sesame oil was the preferred cooking oil in India until the advent of groundnut (peanut) oil. Sesame seeds are highly valued for their oil because it is exceptionally resistant to rancidity. Sesame seeds are used the world over in numerous foods.

In Hindu mythology the god Yama (god of death) blessed the sesame seed and these tiny seeds are regarded throughout the East as symbols of immortality. The seed was supposed to have originated when drops of sweat trickled from Vishnu(Preserver god) and fell to earth. The seeds are symbolized as Vishnu's consort Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity).

A Hindu festival celebrated on the day the sun enters the zodiac sign (rashi) of Capricorn (Makar) is called Makar sankrant and lamps of sesame oil are lit in a temple to Lord Shiva, while devotees perform a rite for one's departed ancestors (pitrushraddha) or Tarpana, by making an offering of sesame. The use of sesame in an offering to ancestors (shraddha) prevents negative energies from posing obstacles in the rite. Since sesame seeds (or sesame oil) have an ability to absorb sattva vibrations, they facilitate smooth spiritual practice during this period.

According to an Assyrian legend, when the gods met to create the world, they drank wine made from sesame seeds. Women of ancient Babylon would eat halva, a mixture of honey and sesame seeds, to prolong youth and beauty, while Roman soldiers ate the mixture for strength and energy.

Not only are sesame seeds a very good source of manganese and copper, but they are also a good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, vitamin B1, zinc and dietary fibre. In addition to these important nutrients, sesame seeds contain two unique substances: sesamin and sesamolin. Both of these substances belong to a group of special beneficial fibres called lignans, and have been shown to have a cholesterol-lowering effect in humans, and to prevent high blood pressure and increase vitamin E supplies in animals. Sesamin has also been found to protect the liver from oxidative damage.

Sesame oil is used for massage and health treatments of the body in the ancient Indian ayurvedic system with the types of massage called abhyanga and shirodhara. Ayurveda views sesame oil as the most viscous of the plant oils and believes it is effective in health problems associated with Vata aggravation.

Black sesame seed is builds Yin Jing, and therefore it is a longevity herb. In addition to its essence-building capacity, Black Sesame also builds blood. Black sesame seed is moistening to the intestines and helps move the bowels. It prevents and relieves constipation due to dryness of the intestines.

Black and Golden Sesame Seeds are the un-hulled seeds. White Sesame Seeds are hulled seeds and are the most popular type to use in cooking.

Banyan Tree

The Barh or Banyan (Ficus bengalensis) tree, belonging to the family Moraceae, is considered sacred, because it lives for eons. It is said to be the ‘immortal tree of India’. The name was originally given to F.bengalensis when early travelers observed that the shade of the Banyan was sought and used for meetings by banias or Indian traders from Bengal. From time immemorial, poets and mystics of India have been eloquent in singing the praises of this tree.

Seals dating back to Mohenjadaro also depict the Banyan tree, leading researchers to conclude that the reverence of Banyan trees in Hinduism could have come from the religion of the Indus valley.

The banyan often grows to a height of over 21 meters. The banyan tree has large leaves and small blossoms followed by cherry like scarlet fruit which provides food for birds and monkeys. A fruit, much like the edible fig, grows on the banyan tree, but it is not good to eat.

Sometimes the Banyan fig is called a fruit without a flower. Where are the blossoms? You will need X-ray vision to find a Banyan flower. That's because they are hidden inside the fig. The blossoms are very small and hundreds of them spend their entire lives inside the fig. The flowers have a unique friend called a fig wasp. Each kind of Ficus (fig tree) has its own special species of wasp attached to it. The wasp's job is to pollinate the fig flowers. The wasp enters the fig through a natural hole in the top of the fruit, and lays its eggs. When the insects hatch and leave their home they become covered with pollen. Then they make their way into another fig and fertilize its blossoms, making sure it will produce seeds.

The banyan tree grows in a peculiar way. Birds drop its seeds into the top branches of other trees. The seeds sprout in the treetops and the banyan tree begins life as an epiphyte on the host tree, gathering its nourishment and water from the air and branches to develop. Eventually, the lateral branches send roots down to the ground. These supports then enlarge into trunks and develop new branches. A single tree may spread over a large area and look like a small forest.

The Sanskrit name for Banyan is Vata (to surround) and it is said to be bahupada, meaning 'one with many feet'. It is often called the ‘walking tree’. Another name for Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, is Vatashreya (one who lives in the Banyan Tree).

This epiphytic pattern is looked upon by Hindus as a holy union but it marks the beginning of a long struggle between the so-called strangling fig and its host. From as high up as one hundred feet, the roots grow around, and band the trunk of the host, until eventually, after many years or even decades, the host will die, leaving the banyan supported by roots that are often as large as the sturdy trunks. Though not a parasite, the strangler figs flourish at the expense of other trees.

In Hinduism the banyan tree represents immortality and there are many stories about it in ancient literature. In the 'Bhagavad Gita’, Krishna uses the banyan tree as a symbol, to describe the true meaning of life, to the warrior Arjuna. It is regarded as a sin to destroy this tree. ‘I am the seed of all existence. There is no being, moving or still, that exists without Me.' says lord Krishna.

A simple, pure hearted, shoemaker lived in the shade of a huge banyan tree, that resembled a small forest. He was a devotee of Vishnu. One day Vishnu sent Narada, his messenger, to visit the shoemaker. No one important ever came to visit him and he was very awed. Narada sked if he had any questions. All the shoemaker could think to ask was -- 'what was Vishnu doing when you saw him'. Narada had been told to say (beacuse Vishnu foresaw the question), he was threading an elephant through the eye of a needle. The shoemaker laughed and said only Vishnu could do that. Narada smiled at his simplicity and said it was impossible. The shoemaker picked up a Banyan seed from beneath the tree and said 'The world is full of miracles. Look at this tiny seed. Inside it is a tree as large as the one above us. It is just waiting to come out. If Vishnu can squeeze a whole Banyan tree into this tiny seed, surely he can thread an elephant through the eye of a needle.' Narada realized that the simple cobler was indeed very wise.

In the tale of Satyavan and Savitri, Satyavan lost his life beneath the branches of a banyan tree. Savitri courageously entered into a debate with Yama, the God of Death, and won her husband's life back.

The Buddhists believe that it was under a Banyan tree that Buddha attained enlightenment and that is why they call it Bodhi tree meaning 'tree of enlightenment.'

The banyan tree is beautiful and strong. It is a symbol of eternal life and wisdom. The process of an individual’s personal growth and development is much like the growth of the banyan tree. When it first grows, it has a single trunk or support system. Then as time passes, new experiences (branches and roots) occur, and take deeper root as skills and wisdom develop. The new experiences reach out by sending down new roots that sway in the breeze until they reach the ground and take root. The support system of the individual spreads, as the roots deepen and become themselves new trunks to support further personal growth and development. Through a willingness to gain new skills and develop additional and deeper roots, the tree (or self) becomes much more than one had ever imagined. Past, present and future intertwine, as do the roots and branches, under the flourishing canopy. The story of the tree is as the story of one’s life, continually growing and expressing the wisdom inherent in the necessary risk of growing.

Banyan trees provide a source of shellac and dye. Shellac is produced by lac insects which live as parasites on the banyan trees.
A whole Banyan leaf is applied to external parts of the body that are red and inflamed. The leaves of the banyan tree yield ficusin and bergaptene. In Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha medicine, the milky latex from the stems and leaves of the banyan tree is applied to bruises and to parts of the body that are causing pain.

Many parts of the tree are used in caring for the teeth. For example, the latex is applied to the gums to treat toothache and twigs are sold as toothpicks in markets in parts of India and Pakistan. These twigs can be used to physically clean the teeth and they are chewed to help keep the teeth clean and also to prevent gum diseases.

Ayyappa lord of the forest

Ayyappa is lord and protector of the forests in Kerala - a modern aspect of Lord Ayyappa is the environmental movement which protects forests. Gods are aspects or manifestations or even abstract forces embodied in an understandable form, to some people, and to others the gods are absolutely real.

It is believed that Ayyappa was born from the union of Vishnu and Shiva. Vishnu appeared as Mohini, the beautiful enchantress - the alluring temptress who manifested at the time of the churning of the Ocean, to entice and distract the Asuras (demons).

The devas (gods) did not want to share the elixir of life with the asuras (demons). They only wished to divide the elixir of life (Amrita) among themselves. The distraction ruse of Vishnu succeeded, and Garuda (the eagle vehicle of Vishnu) headed with the pot of elixir to the heavens, spilling a few drops as he went on to a neem tree.

Meantime, Shiva. having swallowed all the poison that emerged from the ocean had ensured only the elixir remained. Shiva was also distracted by Vishnu's ruse. Shiva succumbed to the beauty of Mohini, and Ayyappan was born out of this union. Hence his name Hari Hara Putra (the son of Vishnu and Shiva).

Ayyappa is regarded as the third son of Shiva, the other two being Ganesha and Karttikeyya (Muruga in South India). Ayappa’s vahana or vehicle is the Tiger and it is believed that Ayyapa has a famous temple deep within the sanctuary of Periyar.

'The Hindu idea is that the whole world is a forest. We are all part of that forest. You can re-order the forest but you cannot bypass it.' Quote from Banwari


In the Bhagvadgita Lord Krishna compares the world to a single Banyan tree with unlimited branches in which all the species of the world wander.


Hindu Tradition describes three basic categories of forest. (i) Shrivan, the forest that provides your prosperity (ii) Tapovan, where people contemplate and seek enlightenment as did the sages of old (iii) Mahavan the great natural forest where all species of life find shelter.


Every village was, in past ages, required to maintain five great trees to represent the forest (shrivan). This has been depleted in the last century but plans to replant the vast forests have already started.

Dhanvantari the god of good health and herbs

The Ancient Aryans worshiped nature. Plants, Trees and and all forms of nature were always revered. Even today Hinduism reveres nature and her bounty. The Bhagavadgita (9.26) says: 'I accept a leaf, flower, fruit or water, Or whatever is offered with devotion '

The neem tree, ‘India’s Pharmacy’ , referring to its holistic properties, is related to ‘Dhanavantri ’ (the Aryan god of medicine). Dhanvantari, the God of Physicians, is the Hindu equivalent of Asclepius, the Graeco-Roman God of medicine and healing. He is the father of the Ayurveda, the age-old system of Hindu folk medicine.

Dhanteras is celebrated on the thirteenth day (teras) of the Krishna paksha (the waning cycle) of the lunar month of Ashwin in the Hindu calendar. Dhan Teras, is celebrated two days before Divali, the Hindu festival of Lights. Dhanteras honors the hindu patron of medicine - Dhanavantri. Lord Dhanvantari is shown with the, Shankha(conch shell), Chakra(discus) and Jalauka(pot or cup) and Ayurveda(book) each one in his four hands.

The legend of Dhanavantri is that he arose from the ocean during the churning of the oceans by the Gods, carrying a metal container with all the herbs and medicines needed to cure humanity of all diseases. One variation of the legend says that Dhanavantri brought the elixir of eternal youth for the Gods from the ocean. The emergence of Dhanavantri was preceded by the appearance of Goddess Lakshmi (deity of wealth) seated on a lotus, from the ocean.

The tradition arising from this legend is that Dhanteras is celebrated by purchases of gold jewellery and silver coins inscribed with images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha (deity of luck). Women in the household will also by new metal cooking utensils for their kitchens. An earthen lamp is lit after sunset and is constantly refilled with oil to keep it lit throughout the night as an offering (daan) to placate Lord Yama (the deity of death).

Dhanvantari is regarded as the patron-god of all branches of medicine. There is a voluminous medical treatise in nine sections known as Dhanvantari-Nighantu; it is a compilation which is probably of the same period as the famous Amara-kosha (A.D. 100).

Dhanvantari also appears to have been an actual historical person, although his precise identity is hard to specify. He taught surgery and other divisions of Ayurveda (Indian system of medicine) at the insistance of Susruta, to a group of sages among whom Susruta was the most important.

This association of healing with a deity is by no means restricted to Hinduism - in many other ancient cultures like Greece (Asclepius, mentioned above), Egypt (Imhotep, the high priest and healer), Tibet (Abjihnaraja, the physician God), healing was considered a divine act.

Neem or Margosa

Inhabitants of India recognized the incredible curative and protective powers of Neem, Azadirachta Indica, from the earliest of times. Its English name is Margosa.

Neem is a tropical evergreen, native to India, Southeast Asia and Western Africa. It can grow to 50 feet tall in a good climate, and tolerates both drought and poor soils. It can live up to 200 years. Neem bears fruit after 3 to 5 years but cannot survive freezing temperatures.

Some of the earliest Hindu writings, focus on medicinal herbs and the healing properties of plants. The Vedas, the oldest of the Hindu sacred texts and the basis of the Ayurvedic tradition, detail the use of neem as a medicinal herb.

The very name of the tree, “Nimba,” in the ancient Sanskrit language, tells of its medicinal properties, and means the same as “ Arishta,” the reliever of sickness. “Pinchumada,” is another name of Neem in Sanskrit and means the destroyer of leprosy and healer of skin infections.

Unani scholars knew of Neem. Its properties were beneficial to human health. They named it “ Shajar-e-Munarak ,” or the blessed tree. Persian scholars called Neem “Azad dirakht-I-Hind,” meaning the free tree of India.

The Upavanavinod ’, an ancient Sanskrit treatise dealing with forestry and agriculture, cites neem as a cure for ailing soils, plants and livestock. Neem cake, the residue from the seeds after oil extraction, is fed to livestock and poultry, while its leaves increase soil fertility.

‘The ‘ Brihat Samhita ’ of ‘ Varahamihira ’, dated about 6th century AD, contains a chapter of verses on plant medicines. It recommends that the neem tree be planted near dwellings. Smallpox and chicken pox were cured or staved off with the use of neem leaves.

Obviously these texts were only available to scholars, so for the villager in India, the myths and tales of the beneficence of neem deities, served as a way of ensuring this precious knowledge was not lost over the centuries.

According to ancient myths, Indra - the king of Celestials - bestowed neem with its incredible power while returning to heaven on a sacred white elephant after retrieving a golden pot of ambrosia from the demons. He spilled the ambrosia on a neem tree, making it a tree blessed with virtuous qualities that could remove all diseases.

Another story tells that insects are said to be the creation of evil demons (asuras), and neem protects people from them by weakening the insect's life patterns.

In yet another myth, the Sun God Surya is said to have sought refuge from demons in a neem tree. That tradition is reflected in a belief among some Hindus that anyone who plants three neem trees lives after death in Suryalok (Sun World) for three epochs and never goes to hell.

The neem tree is said to be related to ‘ Dhanavantri ’ (the Aryan god of medicine).
In some parts of India, neem is revered as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess or one of her many incarnations. The neem tree is said to be a manifestation of the Mother Goddess Kali, or Durga. The tree is deified as Neemari Devi.

The Neem goddess is also known as Mariamman, who wields a neem leaf as though it were a sword which strikes out at wounds and disease. Mariamman is often shown holding her neem-leaf sword and a cobra. Throughout Bengal, neem is the tree where Sitala dwells. She is the great Pox-mother who can cause or cure disease.

The multi-headed occult goddess Yellamma (a highly revered goddess in south Indiai) sometimes assumes the appearance of a young neem tree. Young women worship this Goddess by cladding themselves all over in neem branches.

Almost every part of the Neem tree has been documented for some medicinal use. It has been a cradle to grave essential in Indian life since time immemorial. Families often bathe new-born babies in water that has been boiled with neem leaves because of its medicinal and refreshing qualities. In South India, when a mother leaves a baby unattended, she often leaves a small twig of neem leaves near the baby for protection. Thousands of Indians use neem twigs to brush their teeth every day (a tradition recognized by the Indian subsidiary of an international giant that created a neem-based toothpaste).

At funerals, the Puranas urge that family and friends chew neem leaves to protect against lingering infections, and spread more leaves at the threshold of the house where the death occurred - a tradition based on neem's healing powers and dating back to the days when many people died in epidemics.

Many Hindus around the world still celebrate the New Year in March/ April when the Sun enters the sign of Aries, by eating the bitter leaves of neem with a little sweet food to symbolize acceptance of the good with the bad. The tradition also signals the beginning of a season when neem is to be used regularly, since the period after the onset of the New Year is the season when the Pitta dosha is aggravated since in the Ayurvedic tradition, Neem helps to keep the Pitta dosha in balance.

Even Mahatma Gandhi was a believer in neem. Prayer meetings he conducted at the Sabarmati Ashram were held under a neem tree and a neem leaf chutney was a part of his everyday diet.

Rudrakasha

The Rudrakasha tree is botanically known as ELAEOCARPUS GANITRUS ROXB. Its English name is UTRASUM BEAD TREE. The Rudraksha tree grows in Indonesia, India, China, Nepal the Solomon Islands, Mariana Islands, Guam, Rota, Papua New Guinea and Hawaii. Flying foxes like to eat the iridescent blue berries and by dropping the seeds these bats help to plant rudraksha trees.

The Rudrakasha trees are very tall and bear small white colored sweet smelling flowers on blooming in the rainy season. These flowers turn into black berry like fruits, which yield brownish red colored Rudrakasha seeds on maturing. These seeds have sutures or clefts running throughout their surface.

A story tells that the Rudrakasha beads originated from the tears of compassion that Lord Shiva shed when the Tripuras were destroyed. The three sons of the asura Taraka were devotees of Shiva who had granted them a boon of invicibility in their three cities. Only someone who could send a single arrow (purity of heart) through all three cities could destroy their cities. Because they were invincible they became arrogant and caused great harm by killing and oppressing all theists. The Tripuras were the three cities of the asuras built of gold, silver and iron by Maya (illusion) to last for a thousand years. The cities were in heaven (gold), in the air (silver) and on earth (iron) and represented the three worlds ie past present and future. This is an allegory about egoism, bondage(karma) and maya. Rudra is the Vedic name for Shiva and akasha means tears.

It has been shown that Rudraksha Beads have electromagnetic properties and that they affect the human body when worn. Rudraksha beads have both paramagnetic and diamagnetic properties. Rudraksha beads retain their magnetic properties over time, but have the ability to change polarity

The Rudrakasha beads dispels the evil eye and if kept in the home they avert misfortune. They cure cardiac ailments if worn by people who suffer with high blood pressure. Rudraksha also possess an anti ageing property.

There are clefts called MUKHIS on the surface of the beads. The number of mukhis on the surface of a Rudrakasha bead helps in determining its quality. Yogis found that merely wearing the Rudraksha beads gave them a tremendous amount of tranquillity. With this their concentration improved and helped them meditate for a long period of time with spectacular control over their mind.

Sacred Basil or Tulasi

Sacred Basil or or Ocimum Sanctum is known as Tulasi (incomparable) in India. It is a small, erect and many branched plant. The leaves have many oil glands. The flowers are small purplish and grow in slender spiked clusters. The fruit is small and the seeds are yellow-red. There are two types of Sacred Basil - light (rama), and dark (krishna).

In days gone by temples served as resting places for travellers. The Tulasi plant was grown outside temples because it has the unique property of curbing thirst. Placing a couple of leaves under one's tongue reduced one's thirst.

Later Tulasi acquired religious significance. The Tulasi plant is essential to a home to ensure happiness. The name of the square pedastal planted with Tulasi at the entrance to a Hindu home is known as a Tulasivrindavana. Vrinda means cluster of flowers.

An Aryan myth tells of a female devotee of Vishnu who desired him as her husband. She prayed for centuries, the same desire in every lifetime. Lakshmi the consort of Vishnu could not bear the thought of a rival and changed Tulasi into a plant. Vishnu, however, was impressed by the woman's devotion, and angry with Lakshmi. He assumed the form of the Shaligrama or Ammonite stone so that he could be Tulasi's consort eternally. The plant and the stone are always found together. Other later legends spring from this tale.

The Tulasi plant has medicinal leaves and seeds, the juice of both being a remedy for coughs colds and digestive problems. The oil of the leaves destroys bacteria and keeps away insects, so the plant is an effective fly and mosquito repellant.