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
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.

Special Precautions of Basil

• 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.
• Basil might be UNSAFE when used long-term. It contains estragole, a chemical that might increase the risk of getting liver cancer.
• Don't use basil oil. It is UNSAFE due to the estragole content.
• 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 livercancer 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.

The benefits of 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.

• The volatile oils present in basil are the ones responsible for boosting the immune system of an individual.
• These 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Head colds.
• Loss of appetite.
• Intestinal gas.
• Stomach spasms.
• Kidney disorders.
• Blood circulation.
• Worms.
• Warts.
• Snake and insect bites.
• Chlorophyll-benefits
• effective in protecting the body against free radicals. Basil's flavanoids inhibit free radicals from causing significant damage to the body