7 Benefits of Cold-Pressed Sesame Oil (Nallennai) You Should Know

Growing up, there was always a small steel container of sesame oil sitting next to the stove in my grandmother’s kitchen. She called it nallennai, and she used it for everything — cooking, oiling her hair before a wash, even rubbing a few drops on our feet before bed in winter. Back then I thought it was just an old habit. Now that cold-pressed oils are making a comeback, I understand why she never let that bottle run empty.

If you have been seeing “cold-pressed sesame oil” everywhere lately and wondering whether it is worth switching to, here is what actually makes it different, and why it might be one of the simplest changes you can make for your kitchen and your body.

1. It Keeps Its Natural Nutrients Intact

Most oil in supermarkets is extracted using heat and chemical solvents, which strips away a lot of the good stuff along with the impurities. Cold-pressed sesame oil is made the old way — the seeds are pressed slowly at low temperatures, so the natural antioxidants, vitamin E, and healthy fats stay right where they belong, in the oil.

2. Good for Your Heart

Sesame oil is rich in unsaturated fats, the kind that support healthy cholesterol levels instead of working against you. Replacing refined cooking oil with a good nallennai in your daily cooking is a small swap that your heart will thank you for over the years.

3. A Natural Friend for Your Skin

This is the one my grandmother swore by. Sesame oil is gentle enough to use directly on skin, and it works well as a massage oil or a simple moisturiser, especially in dry weather. It soaks in without leaving that heavy, greasy feel that some oils have.

4. Supports Healthy, Strong Hair

If you have ever had an elder tell you to oil your hair before a wash, sesame oil is very likely what they meant. It is known to nourish the scalp and strengthen hair from root to tip, which is why it has been part of hair care routines in Indian households for generations.

5. Helps the Body Handle Everyday Inflammation

Cold-pressed sesame oil contains natural compounds like sesamol and sesamin, which have been valued in traditional practices for supporting the body’s response to everyday inflammation and joint discomfort. That is part of why oil massages have always been such a common practice in Indian homes, especially for elders.

6. Better for Digestion

Unlike heavily refined oils that can feel heavy on the stomach, cold-pressed sesame oil is easier for the body to process. Many people who switch to it notice their meals feel lighter, and digestion feels more comfortable overall.

7. No Shortcuts, No Chemicals

Perhaps the simplest reason to choose cold-pressed sesame oil is also the most important one — there is nothing hidden in it. No chemical solvents, no artificial refining, no shortcuts. Just seeds, pressed slowly, the way it has been done for hundreds of years.

Why It Matters Where Your Oil Comes From

Not every bottle labelled “cold-pressed” on a shelf is actually made with care. Traditional wood-pressed or cold-pressed extraction takes time, and it costs more to produce properly, which is exactly why so many brands cut corners. When you are choosing a sesame oil for your family, it is worth checking how it is made, not just what the label says.

At AVSquare Naturals, our cold-pressed sesame oil (nallennai) is made the traditional way, in small batches, with nothing added and nothing taken away. If you have been looking for an oil that reminds you of the one your grandmother used, this is a good place to start.

Explore our range of cold-pressed oils here and bring a little of that old-fashioned goodness back into your kitchen.