Surprising Health Benefits of Basil
By Andy Redding
Many people are already aware of the culinary
uses of basil but you may be surprised to learn of the numerous health benefits
of this plant due to its powerful anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. In
a medicinal context, basil is often referred to as St. Joseph's Wort.
Throughout history, ancient cultures have used herbal remedies to prevent and
treat disease and illness. Holy basil, for instance, has been used for
centuries in traditional Indian medicine as a treatment for hepatic, gastric,
respiratory and inflammatory disorders as well as a remedy for headache, fever,
anxiety, convulsions, nausea and hypertension.
Today, the western world has taken a keen
interest in holy basil's medical properties and has found that it can help cure
and prevent a large number of ailments. Let's take a closer look at ten of the
most popular ways people are using holy basil to increase their health.
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.
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.
Holy basil has been used for medicinal
purposes in India and other parts of the eastern world for centuries. However,
it has only been in the last decade that the western world has taken a serious
look into its healing properties. As studies continue, there may yet be even
more health benefits uncovered in this truly nourishing herb.
Growing basil and other herbs at your own home
is a great way to introduce gardening and a healthy lifestyle to your every day
life. Learn more about growing basil indoors and outdoors, preserving basil
through the winter, and recipes for this healthy herb athttp://growingbasilinfo.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Andy_Redding/2006945
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