USES OF CHEKKU OIL
DO YOU WONDER WHY OUR GRAND PARENTS ARE HEALTHY ?
Remember our grandparents/parents telling us about how they used to go to the store with an empty can to purchase chekku ennai? In South India, chekku ennai was a way of life until 50 years ago. “Chekku ennai” is the local name for cold pressed sesame oil.
Cold pressed oils produced using low-heat methods are superior in quality compared to regular oils and are healthy alternative to cooking oils. Our ancestors primarily consumed cold pressed oils until about 50 years ago, when large-scale manufacturers of refined oils took over the market. Known to be cholesterol free, these oils are unrefined or unprocessed, free from harmful solvent residues and contain natural antioxidants that are beneficial for the body.
Cold pressed oils are one of Ayurveda’s best secrets. If stored in clay utensils, chekku oil lasts for almost a year. Chekku oil is traditionally supplemented with palm sugar or jaggery, which heightens its flavor and also its nutritional value. Benefits of cold-pressed oils to your heart health and internal well-being are many , these oils can also be a healthier and safer source of nourishment
Here mainly cold pressed oils acts as,
*COCONUT OIL
*GROUNDNUT OIL
*GINGELLY OIL
Reduced blood pressure and cholesterol level.
Assists in the flushing out of toxic material and also keep healthy skin.
It helps the oral hygiene practices through ‘oil-pulling’ - strengthens the jaws and prevents/stops bleeding of gums.
People have now become aware that it is not a wise practice to substitute sesame oil with olive oil - especially in the preparation of food items thereby compromising on the resultant change in the taste of the food as well!
Cold-pressed oil boosts the immune system.
It protects the body and the skin from the ‘ageing process’ and helps young look even in older ages.
The high viscosity of this oil helps it to penetrate deep into the skin and nourishes it from within.
It aids the production of good monounsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats in the blood.
As the cold-pressed oil has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, this oil speeds up curing skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Following the benefits of ‘cold-pressed’ oil, it is worth noting that even the olive oil lobby has started using the terms such as ‘cold-pressed’ and ‘extra virgin’ - this has driven new awareness among the Indians especially!
It also prevents wrinkles, dryness flaking.
It helps reduce body weight.