Health Benefits of Basil

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Basil (Ocimum Basilicum) - Health Benefits of Basil

By Cristi Ion

The basil is a herbaceous annual culture plant, ramified from the ground, 20-60 cm tall with hairy stems, round-oval leaves and white or reddish flowers.

The basil has been known since ancient times and is a holy plant in India, very much appreciated by Egyptians, too; bouquets of basil were found in the Egyptian pyramids.

An aromatic plant, the basil is used in the culinary art as a seasoning for diverse meat and sauce dishes. Traditional medicine uses basil as a remedy for chronic gastritis and stomach aches.

Pharmacological actions: sedative, diuretic, antiseptic.

Starting from the essential oil content of the basil, as related to the other active elements, basil is recommended in the treatment of gastro-intestinal and renal affections, bronchitis and fever.

The use of basil leaf tea is recommended in nervous system fatigue, insomnia and painful menstruation. To avoid the unpleasant effects of insect stings rub the wounded spot with fresh basil leaves or with the juice from fresh basil plants.

Health Benefits of Basil and applying techniques:

Basil tea

The infusion is prepared of 1-2 spoonfuls of basil leaves, shredded, boiled in 250 ml of water. The tea is left to infuse 2 minutes. Drink 2-3 cups a day. It is recommended to drink a cup after every meal. This tea treats distention and intestinal colics, gastric ulcer, anorexia, urinary infections, diarrhea.

In case o diabetes, the tea should be consumed unsweetened, but in all the other cases can be sweetened with bee honey. The tea for throat wash will be prepared like a decoction with 2 spoonfuls of shredded leaves at 100 ml of water. It will be used to treat mouth lesion, inflammation and erosion.

Tonic basil wine

Is prepared of 2 handfuls of basil leaves, well washed and dried, minced and deposited in a bottle. Over the leaves will be poured 1 liter of red wine and a spoonful of honey. It is left to macerate 5-7 days. To extract most efficiently the active elements from the leaves shake the bottle 4-5 times a day. After filtration the obtained tonic wine will be put in a well sealed bottle. It is an excellent natural medicine for stimulating the appetite. Drink it 15-30 minutes before every meal. Children should be administered a spoonful of wine 2-3 times a day and adults should drink 100 ml, 3 times a day.

Basil tincture

20 g of minced basil plants are left to macerate in 100 ml of 70 degrees alcohol. The macerating process lasts 15 days. After macerating, it is filtered and put in a well sealed bottle. For internal use is administered to children 3-5 drops in 100 ml of water 3 times a day. Adults take a spoonful of tincture in 100 ml of water, 3 times a day. For external use the tincture will be diluted in water in a ratio of 1/5 and can go to 1/10 for more sensible patients. In case of insect stings, wounds, eczema, tampon with tincture or apply compresses.

Health benefits of basil - find out more about herbs on www.liveandfeel.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cristi_Ion

New and Unusual Basil Herbs for 2007

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New and Unusual Basil Herbs for 2007
By Barbara Adams

Basil's long, intriguing history is steeped in legend and folklore. Experts disagree on its origin, but many feel it evolved in Asia and Africa. It’s thought that Alexander the Great brought it to ancient Greece around 356-323 B.C.E. From there, it may have made its way to England from India in the mid 1500s and came to the New World in the early 1600s. Grown in medieval gardens, many classic herbals have mentioned it over the years.

Basil can make a wonderful specialty herb garden or home business cash crop for teas, local gourmet restaurants, making and selling a homemade pasta sauce, or sold fresh to other "foodie" customers.

Basil is a member of the large mint family. Its botanically name is Ocimum basilicum. It was used as an embalming and preserving herb, and was found in ancient Egyptian mummies. Its embalming usage may be why it was also a symbol of mourning in Greece. There, it was called basilikon phuton, which means royal or kingly herb.

There are more than 150 known varieties. These include:

Lime-flavored basil from Thailand

Red Temple Holy Basil from India

Greek Columnar Basil that grows as a true perennial in many locations

Magic Mountain Basil with extra lovely purple flowers

Green Pepper Basil discovered in Mexico with a pronounced green pepper aroma

Basil Ararat, rarely seen heirloom

Clove Basil with an obvious clove aroma

Sacred Basil, also with a clove scent

Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil, a delicious heirloom from New Mexico

Greek Basil, grows in gardens or containers to form an almost perfect compact ball

Lettuce Leaved Green Basil with larger leaves and very good basil flavor

Napoletano Bolloso Basil, has very, very large leaves with just a hint of anise flavor

Sweet Dani Lemon Basil with very strong lemon fragrance

Mexican Cinnamon Spice Basil with a special, spicy aroma

Genovese Basil, large leaves and with a flavor many prefer over any other

Barbara Adams
Author: Micro Eco-Farming: Prospering from Backyard to Small Acreage in Partnership with the Earth (New World Publishing):

Center for the Micro Eco-Farming Movement: http://www.MicroEcoFarming.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Adams