Basil, whose beneficial properties and contraindications have already been well studied, is actively used not only for culinary, but also for medicinal purposes. The beneficial effect of this aromatic spice on the human body has long been proven. The rich and extensive chemical composition of this crop allows it to be used in various fields.
Royal herb basil
The name of the fragrant spice is translated from Greek as “royal.”Since ancient times, basil has secured a dominant position in the world of seasonings and was considered the royal herb. The culture is especially widely used in the cuisine of Mediterranean countries, where it is indispensable as a spice in various salads, soups and main courses. The dishes are given a unique and refined taste by notes of soft spicy cloves, a subtle aroma of white allspice and a tart taste of lime.
In India, Iran and Pakistan, basil is also actively used; the benefits and harms of this herbaceous plant were described in ancient times by many doctors and healers. In nature you can find more than 50 varieties of this culture, which differ in appearance and have different original tastes (bitter-pepper, anise, lemon, clove-mint and others).
Despite the taste and visual differences, the beneficial properties of different varieties of basil are almost the same. In Russia, spicy herbs of purple and green shades are most often cultivated.
Composition and calorie content of fresh and dried basil
The basil herb has an extremely rich chemical composition. Its leaves contain a large amount of essential oils (up to 1.5%), which give the spice a unique taste and piquant aroma.
The following vitamins were found in the dried and fresh greens of this fragrant plant:
- group B (choline, thiamine, pyridoxine, niacin, folic and pantothenic acids);
- E (tocopherol acetate);
- C (ascorbic acid);
- A (beta-carotene);
- K (phylloquinone);
- PP (nicotinic acid);
- carotene (provitamin A).
Basil is high in iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, calcium, potassium and phosphorus. Sodium, selenium, mercury and zinc are present in smaller quantities.In addition to essential oil, the herb contains various tannins, phytoncides, camphor, rutin, simple sugars, etc. This fragrant spice can be consumed both fresh and dried. The benefits are almost the same.
The calorie content of fresh green mass does not exceed 23 kcal per 100 g of herb, and for dried basil the energy value is about 251 kcal. Not only green mass (fresh and dried) is used; basil seeds are actively used (for weight loss, treatment of skin diseases, healthy hair).
Benefits of basil for the human body
Basil is beneficial for human health due to the following qualities:
- has a strong tonic effect;
- increases immunity;
- strengthens vascular walls, improves blood clotting;
- improves visual acuity and helps slow down age-related changes in the retina;
- has a beneficial effect on the condition of hair, nails and skin;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- removes toxins and harmful substances (cholesterol, free radicals and others);
- has an antibacterial effect, protects against viral, fungal and bacterial infections;
- has antipyretic and diaphoretic effects, eliminates inflammation (for bronchitis, colds, sore throat);
- has a pronounced antiseptic effect and wound healing effect;
- strengthens the nervous system, relieves stress, improves mood;
- improves digestion and promotes better absorption of nutrients;
- reduces gas formation in the intestines;
- has an analgesic effect (for toothache, migraines, menstrual cramps);
- thanks to antioxidants, it prevents the occurrence of malignant neoplasms;
- normalizes the activity of the cardiovascular system;
- has a mild diuretic effect.
Various home medicines are prepared based on the green ground part of the plant and seeds: drinks, tinctures, oils, decoctions.
Basil juice
Freshly squeezed basil juice has tonic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Compresses and lotions made from freshly prepared green mass help with long-healing wounds, burns, purulent lesions and skin pathologies. A few teaspoons of juice diluted with hot milk are taken orally for sore throat, loss of appetite, fever, insomnia and nervous disorders.
Such drinks improve your mood, relieve depression and calm your nerves. Scientifically proven benefits for men, as the fresh spice helps increase blood circulation. The beneficial effect on the male body is manifested in an increase in potency.
Basil alcohol tincture
Products based on alcohol and dried or fresh leaves of the plant are widely used. Various alcohol and vodka tinctures are used for migraines, colitis, gastritis, pyelitis, tuberculosis and whooping cough. However, the healing properties of basil can sometimes have the opposite effect. For diseases of the cardiovascular system, alcohol preparations from basil are highly not recommended.
To prepare the tincture, you need to take 50-60 fresh green leaves of this fragrant herb, pour ½ glass of alcohol or vodka over them, close tightly with a cork or lid, then leave for 10-14 days in a cool and dark place.
Basil tea
The benefits of basil for the human body with regular use have been noticed for a long time. Tea made from dried spice leaves is best suited for this.The drink relieves anxiety, depression and blues, normalizes night sleep, and helps quickly restore strength during exhaustion and physical exertion. The decoction has a pronounced calming effect.
Basil tea strengthens the body and improves immunity. It is recommended for hypotension, as it gently increases blood pressure. A cold decoction perfectly quenches thirst on a hot summer day; lemon basil, which has an original cooling flavor, is especially good in this regard.
Preparing tea does not take much time and effort. To do this, take dried basil (1 teaspoon without top), pour 200 ml of boiling water, cover with a lid or saucer, then leave for about 30 minutes. Take ½ cup orally twice a day.
Use in folk medicine
Basil has found wide application in witchcraft and folk medicine. Preparations are made from it in the form of decoctions, tinctures, medicinal balms and oils. Various products based on it are used in the following situations:
- an infusion of dried leaves with the addition of a small amount of black sesame grains is effective against the first symptoms of a cold and viral infections;
- sour milk or curdled milk with crushed dried spice powder is given to expectant mothers during difficult and problematic childbirth, the drink gives strength and helps accelerate the appearance of breast milk;
- a paste of ground fresh basil herb is applied in the form of compresses to calluses and wounds, smearing the temples or the back of the head with the resulting mass to get rid of headaches;
- To improve the condition of the skin, lotions with basil are recommended;
- to gently reduce high blood pressure, take a remedy from the dried above-ground part of the plant, poured with boiling water;
- Basil essential oils are inhaled when you have a runny nose, they reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa;
- Poultices and compresses are prepared from the green leaves of the spice, which relieve pain in the back and joints;
- a decoction of dry and fresh leaves is used to treat diseases of the oral cavity (periodontitis, gingivitis, various wounds and ulcers), relieve sore throat and treat inflammation;
- Freshly squeezed juice is used to treat the skin for fungal infections.
You can use all parts of the spice crop, not just the green leaves. The root of the plant is effective for intestinal infections and digestive disorders; tea from the flowers is useful as a sedative and tonic.
Spicy herbs in cooking
The original spice basil, whose beneficial properties for men and women have been studied since ancient times, is widely used in various national cuisines. It is eaten both fresh and dried. The aromatic herb is a common food additive to hot meat and fish dishes, various salads, sauces, and sometimes even to drinks (liqueurs, balms, lemonade). Lemon basil indispensable in tonic green tea.
The range of use of the seasoning is extremely wide; it is added to soups, pizza, pasta, desserts and confectionery. Greens are used for pickling tomatoes and cucumbers, pickling mushrooms, in eggplant and zucchini salads, and also for sauerkraut. Dried herbs are added to sausages, sandwich butters, pates, and flavored vinegar. A sauce made from olive oil, basil and garlic is a classic in French cuisine. The spice is used as an independent seasoning and as part of various spice mixtures.
Traditional recipes for medical use
There are a lot of recipes for using basil for medical and medicinal purposes. Most often it is recommended to use medicines based on it as follows:
- It is recommended to gargle with a decoction of the dried above-ground part of the plant for tonsillitis and sore throat twice a day;
- to relieve toothache, add 1 tsp to the decoction. table salt and table vinegar and rinse with a warm solution, briefly holding the liquid in the mouth;
- basil with rosemary and sage are poured with boiling water and infused, tightly closed with a lid, then filtered and drunk 1 glass per day (for sexual weakness);
- finely chopped fresh stems are poured with dry wine and infused for 20 days, take 30 ml three times a day after meals (increases potency);
- tea from 1 tbsp. l. dried herbs and 1 cup of boiling water (infuse for 10 minutes) helps get rid of menstrual pain on menstrual days, stress and neuroses;
- It is useful to drink the same decoction as a tea drink and tonic, adding lemon, sugar or honey to it;
- a strong decoction of green mass (cook for 5 minutes) promotes rapid healing of scratches, cracks and small wounds on the skin;
- wash the eyes with a decoction of basil to relieve inflammation, tension and fatigue (make an infusion of 30 g of crushed herbs and 0.5 liters of boiling water);
- powder from the dried leaves of this spice is used for a runny nose (as a sneezing remedy);
- powder from the herb will have a wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effect when added to ointments and creams for the treatment of eczema and trophic ulcers;
- freshly squeezed juice is used to treat skin lesions (ulcers, wounds, eczema), and the liquid is also instilled into the ears for otitis media;
- for weight loss, it is recommended to eat 1 tsp daily.Basil seeds in the morning on an empty stomach, washed down with plenty of warm liquid.
Contraindications of basil: harm to the spice
Abuse of basil-based drugs can be dangerous and harmful even in the absence of direct contraindications. In this variant, the human body sometimes reacts with severe food poisoning and upset. The harm caused by basil will be stronger than all its positive qualities.
This spicy spice should not be used in the following situations:
- thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, tendency to varicose veins;
- poor blood clotting;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia and hypotension,
- recent myocardial infarction;
- diabetes;
- epileptic seizures;
- inflammatory processes in the brain;
- stroke;
- exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
- cardiac ischemia;
- individual intolerance;
- age up to 7 years.
Pregnant women and during breastfeeding should use the spice with caution, since essential oils contained in large quantities can have a negative effect on the body of the fetus and the expectant mother.
The chemical composition of this plant includes mercury, it gives the herb bactericidal properties and enhances the body's defenses. But excessive consumption and exceeding the daily dosage several times is harmful to health. Therefore, basil is not used for medicinal purposes for more than 20 days; after a short break, the course can be resumed. Before using an aromatic herb as a healing agent, you should consult your doctor.
