Difference between revisions of "Sweet Basil"
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| − | [[File:Basil.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Basil]] | + | [[File:Basil.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Sweet Basil]] |
| − | Other Names : Albahaca, Basilic, Basilici Herba, Basilici Herba, Common Basil, Garden Basil, Krishna Tulsi, Munjariki, Ocimum basilicum St. Josephwort, Surasa, Sweet Basil, Vanatulasi, Varvara, Visva Tulsi, Thai Basil<br> | + | Other Names : Albahaca, Basilic, Basilici Herba, Basilici Herba, Common Basil, jou-of-the-mountain, European Basil, Garden Basil, Krishna Tulsi, Munjariki, Ocimum basilicum, St. Josephwort, Surasa, True Sweet Basil, Vanatulasi, Varvara, Visva Tulsi, Thai Basil<br> |
Member of the family Lamiaceae (mints), sometimes known as Saint Joseph's Wort in some English-speaking countries.<br> | Member of the family Lamiaceae (mints), sometimes known as Saint Joseph's Wort in some English-speaking countries.<br> | ||
Do not confuse with [[Holy Basil]]<br> | Do not confuse with [[Holy Basil]]<br> | ||
| − | Basil has been used in ancient Egypt mixed with myrrh and incense for embalming. In Greece, it is a perfume in baths and during massage. In India, its meaning covers protection of the soul of human. | + | Basil has been used in ancient Egypt mixed with myrrh and incense for embalming. In Greece, it is a perfume in baths and during massage. In India, its meaning covers protection of the soul of human.<br>See also : [[Basil Seeds]] |
| − | ==Special Precautions of Basil== | + | ==Special Precautions of Sweet Basil== |
| − | * Basil | + | * Use Basil Oil sparingly and with caution. High doses may be carcinogenic especially for those basils that contain a significant amount estragole (methyl chavicol) . Tisserand and Young suggest a dermal maximum of 15% if the estragole content does not exceed 0.8%. |
| + | *Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Basil seems to be safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women in food amounts. But larger medicinal amounts might be UNSAFE. Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice. | ||
* Basil might be UNSAFE when used long-term. It contains estragole, a chemical that might increase the risk of getting liver cancer. | * Basil might be UNSAFE when used long-term. It contains estragole, a chemical that might increase the risk of getting liver cancer. | ||
| − | * | + | * Basil is safe in food amounts, and it seems to be safe in medicinal amounts when used by adults short-term. In some people basil can cause low blood sugar. |
| − | + | ||
* Children: Basil seems to be safe for children in food amounts. But larger medicinal amounts might be UNSAFE. Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice. | * Children: Basil seems to be safe for children in food amounts. But larger medicinal amounts might be UNSAFE. Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice. | ||
* There are indications that if basil is being overused, it has an opposite effect of causing depression. So use basil with caution. | * There are indications that if basil is being overused, it has an opposite effect of causing depression. So use basil with caution. | ||
| + | * [[Eugenol]] can be potentially dangerous when ingested in higher amounts. It is hepatotoxic and can have several dangerous side-effects. | ||
| − | ==The benefits of Basil are== | + | ==The benefits of Sweet Basil are== |
Sweet basil provides numerous benefits for the health and some of them include its therapeutic use for motion sickness, indigestion, constipation, nausea, respiratory problems, diabetes and others. It has been proved that basil essential oil is an excellent natural resource for vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium. | Sweet basil provides numerous benefits for the health and some of them include its therapeutic use for motion sickness, indigestion, constipation, nausea, respiratory problems, diabetes and others. It has been proved that basil essential oil is an excellent natural resource for vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium. | ||
| − | * | + | *Immune system : Colds, fever, flu, infectious disease, Head colds. |
*Infections : The volatile oils contain antibacterial properties and can, in fact, be used for cleaning and treating infections. Applying basil leaves on infected areas or on wounds is the easiest but most effective way of eliminating the risk of infections and eventually treating it. On the other hand, to prevent or cure viral infections such as flu and colds, ingestion of basil either as a cooked herb or as a supplement is recommended. | *Infections : The volatile oils contain antibacterial properties and can, in fact, be used for cleaning and treating infections. Applying basil leaves on infected areas or on wounds is the easiest but most effective way of eliminating the risk of infections and eventually treating it. On the other hand, to prevent or cure viral infections such as flu and colds, ingestion of basil either as a cooked herb or as a supplement is recommended. | ||
* [[AMD]] : The herbs high levels of the flavonoid zeaxanthin make it a great solution for protecting eye health and preventing age-related macular degeneration. | * [[AMD]] : The herbs high levels of the flavonoid zeaxanthin make it a great solution for protecting eye health and preventing age-related macular degeneration. | ||
| Line 20: | Line 21: | ||
*Cancer : Basil has been proven as an effective agent against cervical cancer. The result of their study was published at Taiwan Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology on September 2010. | *Cancer : Basil has been proven as an effective agent against cervical cancer. The result of their study was published at Taiwan Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology on September 2010. | ||
*enhances the function of the immune system and helps decrease high cholesterol levels. | *enhances the function of the immune system and helps decrease high cholesterol levels. | ||
| + | * Detox : Basil supports the functioning of the kidneys and also acts as a diuretic to help the body expel unwanted toxins. | ||
* The essential oil of basil, which is distilled from the leaves of the plant, is being used to lighten the body from anxiety, fatigue and depression. Just like the olden days, it is being used in massage, baths, and inhalation. | * The essential oil of basil, which is distilled from the leaves of the plant, is being used to lighten the body from anxiety, fatigue and depression. Just like the olden days, it is being used in massage, baths, and inhalation. | ||
*Basil essential oil is considered to be an excellent analgesic or palliative. It has a crisp fragrance and works marvellously when used in aromatherapy. This essential oil has the aptitude to stimulate the mind and bring clarity of thought and ensure steadiness of the nerves. At the same time, it helps to get rid of sinus congestion, bring down high temperatures during fever as well as treat menstrual disorders. | *Basil essential oil is considered to be an excellent analgesic or palliative. It has a crisp fragrance and works marvellously when used in aromatherapy. This essential oil has the aptitude to stimulate the mind and bring clarity of thought and ensure steadiness of the nerves. At the same time, it helps to get rid of sinus congestion, bring down high temperatures during fever as well as treat menstrual disorders. | ||
| − | * | + | * Respiratory System : Bronchitis, coughs, earache, sinusitis |
| − | *Loss of appetite | + | *Digestive System : Loss of appetite, Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Intestinal gas, Stomach spasms, nausea |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
*Kidney disorders. | *Kidney disorders. | ||
| + | * Genito-urinary System : Cramps, scanty periods | ||
*Blood circulation. | *Blood circulation. | ||
| − | * | + | * Circulation, muscles and joints ; Gout, muscular aches and pains, Rheumatism |
| − | *Warts | + | *Skin Care : Warts, Insect bites, insect repellent |
*Snake and insect bites. | *Snake and insect bites. | ||
| + | *Worms. | ||
* [[Chlorophyll]]-benefits | * [[Chlorophyll]]-benefits | ||
* effective in protecting the body against free radicals. Basil's flavanoids inhibit free radicals from causing significant damage to the body | * effective in protecting the body against free radicals. Basil's flavanoids inhibit free radicals from causing significant damage to the body | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | *''Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 208.'' | ||
| + | *''Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 186.'' | ||
[[Category:Treatments]] | [[Category:Treatments]] | ||
[[Category:herbal medicine]] | [[Category:herbal medicine]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Aromatherapy]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Essential oil]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Cicatrisant]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Stomachic]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:29, 3 January 2020
Other Names : Albahaca, Basilic, Basilici Herba, Basilici Herba, Common Basil, jou-of-the-mountain, European Basil, Garden Basil, Krishna Tulsi, Munjariki, Ocimum basilicum, St. Josephwort, Surasa, True Sweet Basil, Vanatulasi, Varvara, Visva Tulsi, Thai Basil
Member of the family Lamiaceae (mints), sometimes known as Saint Joseph's Wort in some English-speaking countries.
Do not confuse with Holy Basil
Basil has been used in ancient Egypt mixed with myrrh and incense for embalming. In Greece, it is a perfume in baths and during massage. In India, its meaning covers protection of the soul of human.
See also : Basil Seeds
Special Precautions of Sweet Basil
- Use Basil Oil sparingly and with caution. High doses may be carcinogenic especially for those basils that contain a significant amount estragole (methyl chavicol) . Tisserand and Young suggest a dermal maximum of 15% if the estragole content does not exceed 0.8%.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Basil seems to be safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women in food amounts. But larger medicinal amounts might be UNSAFE. Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice.
- Basil might be UNSAFE when used long-term. It contains estragole, a chemical that might increase the risk of getting liver cancer.
- Basil is safe in food amounts, and it seems to be safe in medicinal amounts when used by adults short-term. In some people basil can cause low blood sugar.
- Children: Basil seems to be safe for children in food amounts. But larger medicinal amounts might be UNSAFE. Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice.
- There are indications that if basil is being overused, it has an opposite effect of causing depression. So use basil with caution.
- Eugenol can be potentially dangerous when ingested in higher amounts. It is hepatotoxic and can have several dangerous side-effects.
The benefits of Sweet Basil are
Sweet basil provides numerous benefits for the health and some of them include its therapeutic use for motion sickness, indigestion, constipation, nausea, respiratory problems, diabetes and others. It has been proved that basil essential oil is an excellent natural resource for vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
- Immune system : Colds, fever, flu, infectious disease, Head colds.
- Infections : The volatile oils contain antibacterial properties and can, in fact, be used for cleaning and treating infections. Applying basil leaves on infected areas or on wounds is the easiest but most effective way of eliminating the risk of infections and eventually treating it. On the other hand, to prevent or cure viral infections such as flu and colds, ingestion of basil either as a cooked herb or as a supplement is recommended.
- AMD : The herbs high levels of the flavonoid zeaxanthin make it a great solution for protecting eye health and preventing age-related macular degeneration.
- acne: Recent research has shown that sweet basil oil and holy basil oil can help combat acne. This is thanks to the antibacterial properties of basil.
- Cancer : Basil has been proven as an effective agent against cervical cancer. The result of their study was published at Taiwan Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology on September 2010.
- enhances the function of the immune system and helps decrease high cholesterol levels.
- Detox : Basil supports the functioning of the kidneys and also acts as a diuretic to help the body expel unwanted toxins.
- The essential oil of basil, which is distilled from the leaves of the plant, is being used to lighten the body from anxiety, fatigue and depression. Just like the olden days, it is being used in massage, baths, and inhalation.
- Basil essential oil is considered to be an excellent analgesic or palliative. It has a crisp fragrance and works marvellously when used in aromatherapy. This essential oil has the aptitude to stimulate the mind and bring clarity of thought and ensure steadiness of the nerves. At the same time, it helps to get rid of sinus congestion, bring down high temperatures during fever as well as treat menstrual disorders.
- Respiratory System : Bronchitis, coughs, earache, sinusitis
- Digestive System : Loss of appetite, Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Intestinal gas, Stomach spasms, nausea
- Kidney disorders.
- Genito-urinary System : Cramps, scanty periods
- Blood circulation.
- Circulation, muscles and joints ; Gout, muscular aches and pains, Rheumatism
- Skin Care : Warts, Insect bites, insect repellent
- Snake and insect bites.
- Worms.
- Chlorophyll-benefits
- effective in protecting the body against free radicals. Basil's flavanoids inhibit free radicals from causing significant damage to the body
References
- Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 208.
- Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 186.
