"The Medicinal Benefits of Basil"
The highly fragrant leaves of basil are used as a seasoning herb for a variety of foods, and is quite popular as the main ingredient in pesto, mixing basil, pine nuts and parmesan cheese. Adding a good helping of basil to your pasta sauce not only enriches the taste, but also increases the cardiovascular health benefits of your dish. Basil is a very good source of vitamin A (through its concentration of carotenoids such as beta-carotene). Called "pro-vitamin A," since it can be converted into vitamin A, beta-carotene is a more powerful anti-oxidant than vitamin A and not only protects epithelial cells (the cells that form the lining of numerous body structures including the blood vessels) from free radical damage, but also helps prevent free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol in the blood stream. Only after it has been oxidized does cholesterol build up in blood vessel walls, initiating the development of atherosclerosis, whose end result can be a heart attack or stroke.
Basil is used extensively in the cuisine of many cultures. It is used fresh, frozen, as a dried powder in soups, and to flavor all kinds of fish dishes, to flavor omelets, as a stuffing and in salad dressing. Another favorite is to simmer gently in butter or oil along with your other favorite spice/herbs (like rosemary) and refrigerate or freeze in the ice cube tray. Then when ready to use, just drop a frozen cube in the dish.
Though the main use of basil is in the culinary preparation of food, it is also used to prepare many effective and highly beneficial herbal remedies.
Many years ago, when I was a teenager, basil was the sole remedy in curing my severely allergic reactions – not only to “pollen season” but to dairy and dust and pet dander. I used to wake, and sit on the edge of my bed for an hour sneezing, rubbing my eyes, honking and itching my throat, clearing the residual gook stuck around my eyes from conjunctivitis. I began taking one teaspoon of dried basil in about 8oz of apple juice; shaking vigorously and drinking copiously. I used to buy the small bottles of apple juice, drink some to make room to add the teaspoon of basil. I always had one in my bag, never left home without it. Apple juice and basil together is a systemic cleanser, helping to rid the system of the built-up toxins that trigger allergies. TODAY I NO LONGER HAVE ANY ALLERGIC REACTIONS OR CONJUNCTIVITIS.
Because our survival is dependent upon our ingestion of food for physical sustenance, digestion is the single most important function of our living organism (along with air and water). Digestion, assimilation, and elimination are three extremely important and pivotal aspects of health, and a series of foods and spices that assist our bodies in these areas are called carminatives, laxatives, cholagogues, emetics, parasiticides, sialagogues and bitters.
Here are some other uses. The fresh leaves can be used as a rub and applied topically to relieve the irritation and inflammation of insect bites. When prepared as an infusion (a few ounces of an herb placed in a quart jar, fill with boiling water and screw top tightly to sit overnight (or 4-10 hours) then drink throughout the day) – combine with motherwort herb in the jar, to be drunk immediately following childbirth to help expel the placenta. Herbs prepared as a tincture, increases their potency. When basil tincture is taken in this manner, it is good for the treatment of nervous conditions.
To prepare an herbal tea, I would simply take 1-2 teaspoons of the dried basil and add two cups of boiling water. Leave covered to steep for 10-15 minutes, then sweeten and drink. Never use white sugar to sweeten any herbal beverage. Once the tea has cooled down and before sweetening, the tea can also be used as an eye wash to treat eye irritations or infections.
Some people prefer to use fresh basil. This is another way to prepare the tea if you prefer it fresh. Use the fresh basil leaves along with some of the seeds. The seeds should not be ground, and must be used whole. In cases where it is not possible to get fresh leaves, the tea can be made by using basil seeds alone. You can prepare this tea by using fifteen basil seeds in two pints of boiling water. Leaving the pot covered, reduced the flame, and allow to simmer for about forty five minutes. Remove from the fire and add another 1-1 ½ handfuls of the fresh - if available - or half-handful of dried basil can be mixed. Let the herb steep in the water for about twenty five minutes more. The tea is now ready; it can be strained and used when necessary.
If you need a hot cup of therapeutic basil tea, a daily dose can be about two cups, and you can drink it or as a gargle, to treat a variety of problems. Drinking a steaming cup of basil tea can help reduce fevers. That remedy can be further enhanced by inhaling it’s vapors by covering the head with a blanket (or towel) while leaning over the hot pot of the herbal tea (after it has been removed from the flame).
