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Medicinal Uses for Basil



The information that follows is excerpted from a longer post:  The Ultimate Guide to Basil. For additional information about Basil such as its cultivation, culinary uses, or how to harvest and store it, please click HERE to access the complete original post.  Other individual sections are listed below:


Ocimum Basilicum



Do not try any of these uses for basil without consulting a doctor or health care provider. Nothing in this blog is designed to replace traditional medical care.


Although basil is reported to have significant medicinal properties, very few have actually been verified scientifically.  It is best known for its use against digestive complaints.  Try basil tea in place of an after dinner mint.  It will aid in digestion and expel gas. You can steep a teaspoon of the dried leaves in a cup of boiled water for stomach cramps, vomiting, and constipation.  Because basil has slight sedative effects, it is sometimes recommended for nervous headaches and anxiety.  A poultice of basil can be used on sores, insect stings, and snakebites.

Basil "Boo-Boo" Balm

Steep a few leaves in wine for a few hours and then drink it as a tonic.  Basil also has many uses in aromatherapy.  Other medicinal properties the herb possesses include a restorative warming sensation, muscle relaxation, fever reduction, and improvement of digestion. Clinical studies demonstrate that basil has anti-bacterial properties and is effective against bacterial infections and intestinal parasites. 


Roundworms in an Intestine (Parasite)
Helminths (Intestinal Parasites)

Basil can be taken internally for feverish illness (especially colds and flu), nausea, cramps, gastroenteritis, migraine, insomnia, low spirits, and exhaustion.  External uses include acne, loss of smell, and skin infections.  Some cultivars have stimulant properties and can be used against impotence, diarrhea, dysentery, post-partum problems and against worms in children, as well as externally being used for rheumatism and lumbago.  It can strengthen the immune system, help with sinusitis, abdominal distention and cramping, low libido and to fight negativity.  
Fever, Chills, Flu

Studies on the efficacy of basil in medicinal pursuits include a trial against seriously multi-drug resistant bacteria.  In this case, the basil strongly reduced the negative effect of the bacteria.  In another study, basil was tested against tuberculosis symptoms and the results were encouraging.  The conclusion arrived at from the test was that basil may be used to formulate new and natural tuberculosis treatments.
Tuberculosis Bacteria

Basil extracts have been shown to reduce sugars and free radicals in the body, so tests were conducted in relation to its effect on the glycemic index.  The findings from these tests led researchers to believe that basil extracts may have the potential to inhibit diabetes.  
Holy Basil--Possible Treatment for Diabetes

Basil may prevent the harmful effects of aging.  Holy basil extract was effective at killing off harmful molecules and preventing damage caused by free radicals in the liver, brain, and heart.  It is possible that basil extracts may someday be shown to prevent heart attacks, correct cirrhosis of the liver, and potentially to prevent Alzheimer's Disease.  Much further testing needs to be done before any of these claims can be made.

In addition to its culinary and medicinal attributes, basil has a few other uses.  You can add the leaves to potpourris and sachets.  The fragrance is sweet and strong, but not overpowering. 

Basil Potpourri

Basil brings luster to hair.  Brunettes can add it to a rosemary rinse, while blondes can add it to a chamomile rinse.  Another cosmetic use for basil is in perfumery and in toilet waters. Use it in bath mixtures as the fragrance is invigorating.  The cosmetics industry uses basil, or essential oil of basil, in lotions, shampoos, soaps, and perfumes.
Basil Spray

If you can spare a bit of basil from the kitchen, cut some sprigs of either sweet or purple basil to add to fresh flower bouquets and arrangements.  Use them for their attractive leaves and sweet, anise-clove scent.  Place a pot of basil on a windowsill to deter flies and mosquitoes.  The stems of some cultivars are cut into beads and used in making rosaries.
Rosary/Prayer Beads made from Basil Stems

I think the medicinal uses through time of the various herbs is particularly interesting, especially since modern medicine and science is slowly working at proving or disproving the claims people have made about the herbs.  I find it rather amazing when the claims are proven to be right!  

 Below is a recipe for a potpourri using basil.  Click the link to give it a shot!

If you know any other medicinal uses for basil, please let me know!  Also any stories about times you have used herbs for medicinal purposes and what results you experienced would be very fascinating to me.  Please leave your comments or questions below! 

Peace and Love Always,








Different Forms of Basil


Sources:
"Basil". En.wikipedia.org. N. p., 2017. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.

"Basil". Whfoods.com. N. p., 2017. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.

"Basil: Health Benefits And Nutritional Information". Medical News Today. N. p., 2016. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.

Bremness, Leslie. RD Home Handbook: Herbs. Pleasantville: Reader's Digest Association, 1990. Print.

Brown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1995. Print.

Clevely, Andi, and Katherine Richmond. The Complete Book of Herbs. New York: Smithmark, 1994. Print.

Cunnningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1992. Print.

Gips, Kathleen. Flora's Dictionary: The Victorian Language of Herbs and Flowers . Chagrin Falls: TM Publications, 1995. Print.

Kowalchik, Claire, and William H. Hylton, eds. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs . Emmaus: Rodale, 1987. Print.

Shaudys, Phyllis. The Pleasure of Herbs. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1986. Print
Photo Credits: 

Medicinal Uses for Basil Header Image:  Photo Credit:  Garden basil in mortar by karandaev

Ocimum Basilicum:  Photo Credit:  Essential basil aroma oil.  Fresh green sprigs of culinary and medicinal herb basil, apothecary tincture bottles, paper label, Text Ocimum Basilicum. by Anna_ok

Basil "Boo-boo" Balm:   Photo credit: Blue Yonder via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA


Basil Potpourri:   Photo credit: p e e p e r via VisualHunt.com / CC BY

Basil Spray:   Photo credit: latisha (herbmother) via Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-ND


Different Forms of Basil:  Photo Credit:  Basil Herb Varieties by marilyn barbone

Medicinal Uses for Basil Header Image:  Photo Credit:  Garden basil in mortar by karandaev

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