Health Benefits Of Basil
Basil is a awesome spice. It is one of my most used spices in the kitchen. My wife uses it for pretty much everything she makes because it adds such a distinctive flavor to your cooking.
Basil is an herb that is a part of the mint family. It is considered to be the King of Herbs, and this rightfully so as basil translates to king in Greek. It closely resembles peppermint in appearance. It is characterized by silky, green pointed leaves which are accented with white flowers. Basil can reach heights of 30-130 centimeters. It grows best in direct sunlight in dry hot conditions and it is extremely sensitive to cold. It is native to the regions which are currently Indian and Iran and has a history which spans over 5,000 years. Cultivation has spread the herb to countries in Southern Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States.
Health Benefits Of Basil
1- Anti-Inflammatory, which is a great help for people who
suffer from arthritis
2- Great for bronchitis, asthma, the flu, fevers, and the common cold
3- Helps with Nausea and Motion Sickness
4- Helps Your Body Digest Foods Easier
5- Loaded with Folic Acid, Potassium, Iron and Calcium
6- Basil Tea is very good for the respiratory system and throat infections.
Some Reasons People You Basil For Their Healthy
Treating Ear Infections – Basil can be used to treat minor ear infections and relieve the pain associated with it. To do this, extract the juice from 4-5 basil leaves by crushing them and then applying the paste directly around the infected ear. You can also mix the basil paste with a carrier oil like coconut oil. Once the oil has been mixed, warm it gently and then apply it to a cotton ball that you wipe around the inner infected ear, preferably twice a day.
Eliminating Kidney Stones – Because it is regarded as a tonic for the kidneys, basil is great for the organ’s overall health. Basil is also known to help induce stone expulsion from the urinary tract. To use basil for this purpose you should steep five to six basil leaves in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Then, serve as tea with one teaspoon of honey.
Relieving Headaches – Tight muscles and tension are the leading cause of headaches. Because of its analgesic properties, basil is a natural muscle relaxant and is most effective when combined with lavender. In addition, basil’s antiemetic properties help reduce nausea and vomiting. Chew a few basil leaves the next time you have a headache for a natural relief.
Improving Eyesight – Basil is high in vitamin A, which is an essential vitamin for proper eyesight. Additionally, eye sores can be treated with a few drops of basil juice created from crushed basil leaves and water.
Preventing Certain Types of Cancer – Various recent laboratory and animal studies have shown that consuming holy basil can repair cells damaged by oxidation and radiation, demonstrating the potential to destroy pre-cancerous lesions and tumors. Studies into using basil to prevent cancer are still ongoing but have already produced some astonishing results.
Increasing Skin and Hair Health – Due to holy basil’s antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, consuming it will purify your blood and remove toxins, which helps prevent the outburst of acne and pimples. In addition, you can combine crushed basil with a little bit of rose water, neem paste, or sandalwood paste and apply that to the face to reduce inflammation. As a hair treatment, you can add a basil paste to your hair oil to help keep your scalp cool, reduce itchiness, and even promote hair growth by improving circulation in your scalp.
Improving Oral Health – Basil is known to help prevent various periodontal diseases, fight off pyorrhea, and eliminate bad breath. To use basil for this purpose, it’s recommended to dry basil leaves in the sun for two to three days. Once dried, crush the basil leaves into a powder, which you then use to brush your teeth. In addition, when you massage your gums with the basil powder it will eliminate bad breath.
Quitting Smoking – Some sources claim that chewing basil leaves has been more effective than nicotine patches in reducing nicotine cravings. It’s also been said that the antioxidants in basil leaves can help repair damage in the throat caused due to years of smoking.
Helping Cure the Common Cold – Basil leaves are used far and wide as a remedy for fever and the common cold. Most commonly, the juice of basil leaves has been known to bring down high temperatures during fevers. To use basil for this purpose, you can boil the leaves in water to create a type of tea, which you drink.
Reducing Stress – Chewing 10 to 12 holy basil leaves twice a day has been known to reduce stress. This is because holy basil contains compounds such as eugenol and caryophyllene which have long been used in essential oils to elevate both mood and spirit. Scientific studies have shown that eugenol, in particular, helps enhance mental clarity and combat stress.