**In this post we are going to be making a Japanese finishing salt with an optional herbal twist**

Herbal Gomasio Finishing Salt

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I am not a Doctor & none of this is medical advice. It is here for entertainment & educational purposes only & it is up to you to talk to your health care practitioners first. The information shared is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified health care provider before making any health decisions

Today we’re going to make an herbal gomasio, which is a Japanese seasoning that is packed full of flavor. To begin I want to say this is by no means a traditional recipe but it is just as delicious

If you wanted to make a gomasio that is more traditional you would use only black un-hulled sesame seeds & coarse sea salt.

Gomasio has been used for centuries in Japanese cuisine but wasn’t popularized in the West until the 1960’s. This seasoning blend was used in Buddhist temples, as a balancing food that was valued for its unique nutty flavor & vast health benefits, which we will talk about in just a second

This recipe today calls for whatever herbs you want to use. In the video tutorial I used a combination of Nettles & lemon peel but there are many herbal combinations that will work.

The health benefits of this blend, apart from that which Sesame has to offer, comes to us in a form of antioxidant called anthocyanins

Antioxidants are what protects us from oxidative stress caused by free radicals which can damage cells, proteins & DNA. Free radicals contribute to the development of disease when they are allowed to get out of hand.

However, through the infinite wisdom of whoever created this universe we are always given a solution to a problem. All we have to do to ensure that free radicals don’t have the opportunity to freely wreak havoc we just need to consume plants that contain antioxidant

The good news is almost all plants contain some type of antioxidant to some degree

By regularly consuming antioxidant rich plants we can help reduce inflammation, boost the immunity while supporting cardiovascular & neurological health

There is a specific type of antioxidant that sesame is packed full of which is called Anthocyanin

**Anthocyanin**

Here are some examples of anthocyanin rich foods

What is Anthocyanin?

They are a class of water soluble pigment flavonoids that range from red, purple, blue to black.

The word anthocyanin is derived from the Greek works “ánthos” meaning flower & “kuáneos” meaning dark blue. Cyanin also another English word for dark blue

It is these compounds in the plant that helps them to attract pollinators as well as offer some protection from environmental stressors, which is exactly what they are able to provide us!

Anthocyanin rich food examples:

Fruits: blueberries, black plums, blood oranges, pomegranates, black & red grapes

Vegetables: red cabbage, red onions, red radishes, purple cauliflower, purple corn & the purple skin of eggplant

Legumes & Rice: black beans, black rice, black soybeans

Just think of the vibrancy of all those foods, that’s the anthocyanins.

Always be sure to eat all sorts of fresh or frozen brightly colored foods to get the highest amounts of anthocyanins in your diet

**Sesame**
**Botanical name:** *Sesamum indicum*

**Common names:** Benne, Tila

Plant Family: Pedaliaceae

Native to: Africa & Indian Subcontinent

Naturalized to: Tropical & subtropical regions

Botanical Description: Sesame is an annual plant that grows between 1 to 3 feet in height. The leaves of sesame grow in opposites & are lanceolate in shape ranging from 2 to 6 inches long. The flowers are tubular ranging from white, to pink to purple in color

Parts used: Seeds (oil), whole plant

Taste:

Sweet
Astringent
Bitter

Energetics:

Warming
Cooling
Moistening

Herbal Actions of Concern:

Carminative
Demulcent
Nervine

Learn more about these actions HERE

Indications for Use:

High blood pressure
Low digestive fire & malabsorption issues
Coughs
Diabetes

Systems Affected:

Digestive system: the oil helps to nurture the digestive fire, promoting better assimilation of nutrients. It does so by clearing the channels of elimination in the body. The seven elimination pathways of the body are the kidneys, liver, lungs, skin, digestive tract, lymphatic system & the gallbladder
Nervous system: helping to calm the nervous system, reducing anxiety & mental agitation while supporting sleep & relaxation. It helps to enhance focus & cognition while strengthening the nervous system by moisturizing the tissues
Circulatory system: helping to support cardiovascular health as it is rich in omega 3 & omega 6 fatty acids which may help lower cholesterol, support arterial flexibility & reduce the risk of heart disease. The minerals in sesame seeds help to fortify the heart & entire circulatory system. Their high oil content helps to lubricate the tissues while decreasing inflammation
Respiratory system: helping to lubricate the nasal passages & clearing mucus

Important To Note:

May interact with certain medications that are metabolized by the liver potentially changing the effectiveness of the medication. Specifically medications for diabetes & high blood pressure
Sesame oil can increase heat
Helps to improve strength & imparting oiliness to the body
Sesame seed is highly revered in Ayurveda as both a food & a medicine