[[File:Basil.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Sweet Basil]]
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>
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.<br>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 of estragole (methyl chavicol (Eugenole). Tisserand and Young suggest a dermal maximum of 15% if the estragole content does not exceed 0.8%. * Avoid Basil Oil during pregnancy. It might be UNSAFE. Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice.* 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 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.
==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.
*The volatile oils present in basil are the ones responsible for boosting the immune Immune system of an individual: 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.
* 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.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.
*Worms.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
==referencesReferences==*''*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:herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Aromatherapy]]
[[Category:Essential oil]]
[[Category:Cicatrisant]]
[[Category:Stomachic]]