What Are The Health Benefits Of Basil?

Basil is more than just an herb. It’s an herbal medicine that’s been used for thousands of years and is becoming a formidable opponent against some of today’s most prevalent health problems. This power
medicine is indigenous to Asia and Africa and is actually part of the mint family.

Basil, a popular culinary herb in Italian and Asian cuisines, is a member of the mint family. Basil is native to tropical parts of Asia, and most varieties are grown as tender annuals. Some varieties of basil, such as holy basil, are hardier and can be grown as perennials in warmer climates. Beyond its distinctive anise-like flavor, basil appears to have considerable health-boosting properties.

Basil Leaves Health Benefits:

• The tea is taken to relieve cramps, constipation, indigestion, flatulence, heart problems, itching, nausea, ringworm, alcoholism, fever, colds.
• The leaves poultice can help cure wounds, snakebite, and arthritic pain.
• Can help remove warts, just rub leaves on the wart daily and cover with bandage or boil 4 basil leaves to 4 cups of water and drink as tea.
• Protects cell structures as well as chromosomes from radiation and oxygen-based damaged.
• The tea has anti-inflammatory effects, making it an ideal food for those people suffering from arthritis.
• Rich source of Beta-carotene, this help protect epithelial cells (lining of numerous body structures including the blood vessels) from free radical damage.
• Good source of magnesium, a mineral that makes the muscles and blood vessels to relax, therefore improving blood flow and lessening the risk of irregular heart rhythm.

Basil Oil Medicinal Uses:

• Has anti-bacterial properties. Effectiveness of basil in restricting growth of numerous bacteria (like staphylococcus, enterococcus and pseudomonas) that has become resistant to commonly used antibiotic drugs.
• The oil when used as skin and hair moisturizer can help enhance the luster of dull looking skin and hair.
• The oil is effective in treating skin problems like acne and psoriasis.
• The oil when used in aromatherapy can provide a calming effect; it is therefore effective in stress related problems like migraines and depression. If use regularly can give mental strength and clarity.
• Tips to prevent food poisoning: The easiest way to prevent food poisoning is to add basil and thyme in most of your recipes, especially for foods that are not cooked.

Basil Side Effects: When basil herb is used as a food ingredient it is perfectly safe, but an essential oil from basil might cause cancer in extremely large dosage, because it contains a chemical called estragole. Estragole is a natural organic compound, that is suspected to be carcinogenic and genotoxic according to the study done by the European Union. The percentage content of estragole in the oil is about 23-88%. Many teas or tea-like beverages also contain estragole.