Miraculous Basil
Basil is an important herb known the world over more for its culinary uses but the herb offers a plethora of medical benefits. Basil has many health benefits that cover a wide spectrum of uses. Known to have originated in India, its widely found in India, Pakistan and Thailand.
Basil is a very commonly used herb, used in recipes all over the world, especially in Thai and Italian food. However, not a lot of people are aware of the fact that basil plants originated in India and are often used in Indian recipes too. There are several different varieties of basil plants, some of the most popular ones being holy basil, lemon basil, sweet basil, Genovese basil, the African blue basil and cinnamon basil. Basil recipes are popular all across the globe, mainly because of the flavor this herb adds to the food. However, what a lot of people are not aware of is that there are several health benefits too, that are associated with the consumption of basil leaves, seeds, juice, and so on.
Basil: A Great Herb
Basil makes a great kitchen plant, as its uses are two-fold, for cooking as well as to cure a variety of ailments. An attractive plant, it looks and works well in a vegetable patch, herb or flower garden. A versatile herb, basil is used extensively in Thai, Italian and Vietnamese cuisine for its warm, gentle and unique flavor and fragrance. They taste and smell best when its freshly cut and used immediately. Tear the leaf into pieces with your hand instead of chopping as this helps retain the flavor longer. Basil does not retain its flavor well when dried or frozen, hence use it as soon as you pluck it from the plant.
Medically it is useful to provide relief to sore gums, swish out the mouth often with strong basil tea. A basil leaf tucked into the mouth over the ulcer and kept there eases the pain. Basil leaf has many uses in aromatherapy. It is refreshing when used in a bath. A potpourri of dried basil leaves and flowers can be used to create a fragrant atmosphere in the house or office. It is a natural pesticide, burn sprigs of basil to drive away mosquitoes. A potted basil plant in the kitchen windowsill will deter flies. Basil has been used as a tonic to aid digestion, steep in water or boil in water while preparing tea.
Basil oil is known to relieve mental fatigue; it is widely used in aromatherapy.
Types of Basil
Bush Basil
Also known as Sweet or Common Basil, it is native to the tropical countries such as India and Africa. Basil has significant religious importance in India and is an essential part of many religious rituals.
Lemon Basil
Bushy in appearance and grows to about two feet tall, it has a strong lemony fragrance.
Camphor Basil
An annual shrub, it grows to about 5 feet in height. The leaves have a camphor-scented fragrance and can be used to protect woollens. Camphor basil can be used in tea to combat stomachaches.
Tree Basil
With fuzzy, lime-green leaves, tree basil is an excellent remedy for colds, and fevers. Its thymol content makes it useful to treat wounds, relieve sore throats and even conjunctivitis.
Holy Basil
An annual shrub with spicy clove-like scented leaves that reaches two feet in height. It is the sacred basil of the Hindus, who use it both for cooking and medicines.
Traditional Medical Uses of Basil
Apart from being a general tonic and vitalizer, basil has since ages been employed in hundreds of different formulations for the treatment of a range of ailments. Some of which are mouth and throat disorders, lungs, heart, blood, liver, kidney and the digestive, metabolic, reproductive and nervous systems. It has been frequently used to treat coughs, colds, flu, head and earaches, rheumatism and arthritis, malaria, fever, allergies and various skin diseases. It was used in reducing the toxicity of various poisons, including insect and reptile bites, to expel intestinal parasites, repel insects and purify the air.
Modern research on this wonder herb has revealed many of its less known qualities. Basil protects against and reduces stress; enhance stamina and endurance. It helps increase the body's efficient use of oxygen; boost the immune system; reduce inflammation; protect against radiation damage, stems rapid ageing, supports the heart, lungs and liver; has antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties; enhances the efficacy of many other therapeutic treatments; and provides a rich supply of antioxidants and other nutrients.
Summarising the benefits of basil, it has been found that it is a premier adaptogen, helping the body and mind adapt and cope with a wide range of physical, emotional, chemical and infectious stresses and trauma. It helps restore disturbed physiological and psychological functions to a normal healthy state.
These general vitality enhancing properties, coupled with the therapeutic actions make Basil the wonder herb that it really is.
Basil Seeds Benefits
The consumption of basil leaves is probably higher than the use of basil seeds, mainly due to the fact that most of the people are hardly aware of the different basil seeds benefits. Given below are a few basil seeds nutrition facts and benefits that everyone should know about:
• The seeds are quite low in calories, but very high in Vitamin K. They also contain nutrients such as iron, potassium, calcium, dietary fiber, manganese and magnesium, as well as Vitamins A and C.
• Weight watchers are often advised to consume a drink made from basil seeds, as it helps reduce the fat and the toxins from the body, thereby speeding up the weight loss process to a great extent.
• The use of basil in recipes can help enhance the digestion process, by speeding up the movement of food in the digestive tract, that is, the stomach, as well as the intestines. Hence, people who suffer from digestive problems should add basil to their daily diet.
• Basil is regarded as a natural medicine, for reducing the levels of sugar in the blood. Therefore, people who are diabetic can benefit to a great extent, by adding basil recipes to their regular diet. Basil pesto sauce is not only very tasty, but can be added to many recipes like salad, pastas and wraps, as a healthier alternative to dressings or other condiments.
• Certain herbalists and health experts claim that the regular consumption of basil seeds or leaves can also reduce the risks of serious health problems, which include heart attacks, strokes and other such heart diseases.
Growing Basil
It is best to grow a basil plant in hot and humid climate, where it can get a lot of sunshine and is given plenty of water. Several gardeners grow their basil plants indoors; this is also fine, as long as the plant gets an adequate amount of sunshine and warmth. However, growing basil plants in winter or in cooler climates can pose a bit of a challenge, even if central heating is used. In such instances, it is important to ensure that the plant get a lot of water and is also sprayed often. It is best to grow these plants in a green house during the winter months. However, it is important to protect this herb from basil plants pests, such as mealy bugs, spider mites and aphids. The main factors that could cause the basil plant to get inflicted with pests include lack of adequate sunshine or an excess of water. Therefore, it is important to ensure that proper care is taken of the plant, without using too many fertilizers or other such chemicals.
Even though there are several health benefits that have been associated with basil seeds and leaves, it is essential for people to check with a doctor, before adding basil recipes to their daily diet.
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