Last update July 22, 2025

Sesamum indicum

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

A seed widely used in the cuisine of many cultures since ancient times. Both the seeds and their oil are consumed. The seeds are very rich in calories, protein, unsaturated fats, and calcium. They contain large amounts of phytoestrogens (Thompson 2006), as well as sesamin, which is converted into enterolactone (Peñalvo 2005). Sesame oil is used in cough preparations (Saab 2006) and as a solvent-excipient in numerous injectable medications.

At the date of the last update, we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

It has no proven galactagogue properties, although in some cultures it is traditionally used to increase milk production. (Damanik 2009, Moran 2007)

Allergy to sesame is rare. Contact dermatitis and sensitization to sesame have been reported due to antenatal maternal consumption of sesame. (Bedolla 2015, Hsu 2013, Dalala 2012, Ben-Shoshan 2010, Sicherer 2010, Agne 2004, Sporik 1996)

Given its lack of toxicity, moderate consumption during breastfeeding would pose little or no risk. When using sesame oil topically: do not apply to the breast or clean thoroughly before breastfeeding to prevent the infant from ingesting it or having an allergic reaction.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Sesamum indicum is Sesame in Latin, botanical name.

Is written in other languages:

Sesamum indicum is also known as

Groups

Sesamum indicum belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Sesamum indicum in its composition:

References

  1. Bedolla-Barajas M, Bedolla-Pulido TR, Macriz-Romero N, Morales-Romero J, Robles-Figueroa M. Prevalence of Peanut, Tree Nut, Sesame, and Seafood Allergy in Mexican Adults. Rev Invest Clin. 2015 Abstract
  2. Hsu JT, Missmer SA, Young MC, Correia KF, Twarog FJ, Coughlin IB, Hornstein MD, Schneider LC. Prenatal food allergen exposures and odds of childhood peanut, tree nut, or sesame seed sensitization. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013 Abstract
  3. Dalal I, Goldberg M, Katz Y. Sesame seed food allergy. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2012 Abstract
  4. Ben-Shoshan M, Harrington DW, Soller L, Fragapane J, Joseph L, St Pierre Y, Godefroy SB, Elliott SJ, Clarke AE. A population-based study on peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, and sesame allergy prevalence in Canada. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Abstract
  5. Sicherer SH, Muñoz-Furlong A, Godbold JH, Sampson HA. US prevalence of self-reported peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergy: 11-year follow-up. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Abstract
  6. Damanik R. Torbangun (Coleus amboinicus Lour): a Bataknese traditional cuisine perceived as lactagogue by Bataknese lactating women in Simalungun, North Sumatera, Indonesia. J Hum Lact. 2009 Abstract
  7. Moran L, Gilad J. From folklore to scientific evidence: breast-feeding and wet-nursing in islam and the case of non-puerperal lactation. Int J Biomed Sci. 2007 Abstract
  8. Thompson LU, Boucher BA, Liu Z, Cotterchio M, Kreiger N. Phytoestrogen content of foods consumed in Canada, including isoflavones, lignans, and coumestan. Nutr Cancer. 2006 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  9. Saab BR, Pashayan N, El-Chemaly S, Sabra R. Sesame oil use in ameliorating cough in children: a randomised controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 2006 Abstract
  10. Peñalvo JL, Heinonen SM, Aura AM, Adlercreutz H. Dietary sesamin is converted to enterolactone in humans. J Nutr. 2005 Abstract
  11. Agne PS, Bidat E, Agne PS, Rance F, Paty E. Sesame seed allergy in children. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004 Abstract
  12. Sporik R, Hill D. Allergy to peanut, nuts, and sesame seed in Australian children. BMJ. 1996 Abstract

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