Sesamol is a natural organic compound

Organic compound

An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...

 which is a component of sesame oil

Sesame oil

Sesame oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds. Besides being used as a cooking oil in South India, it is often used as a flavor enhancer in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and to a lesser extent Southeast Asian cuisine.The oil from the nutrient rich seed is popular in alternative...

. It is a white crystalline solid that is a derivative of phenol

Phenol

Phenol, also known as carbolic acid, phenic acid, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5OH. It is a white crystalline solid. The molecule consists of a phenyl , bonded to a hydroxyl group. It is produced on a large scale as a precursor to many materials and useful compounds...

. It is sparingly soluble in water, but miscible with most oils. It can be produced by organic synthesis from heliotropine, coming from natural resources.

Sesamol has been found to be an antioxidant that may prevent the spoilage of oils, and may protect the body from damage from free radicals. It also may prevent the spoilage of oils by acting as an antifungal.

Sesamol is used as a chemical intermediate in the industrial synthesis of the pharmaceutical drug paroxetine

Paroxetine

Paroxetine is an SSRI antidepressant. Marketing of the drug began in 1992 by the pharmaceutical company SmithKline Beecham, now GlaxoSmithKline...

 (Paxil).

Sesame oil is used in Ayur-Vedic Medicine.