Basil Leaves Benefits

Basil is a tender low growing herb, typically characterized by broad oval shaped leaves, with a strong, pungent, sweet smell. Its botanical name is Ocimum basilicum, however, it is also popular as sweet basil or tulsi in some parts of the world. Some of the most popular basil varieties include the American Basil, French Basil and the Egyptian Basil. The uses of basil leaves exist in plenty, which range right from holy offering to the deity to spicing up the food in kitchen. Native to the tropical regions of Asia, the plant can be found in various parts of the world today, and a large part of the credit for this goes to its benefits - which exist in plenty.

Basil Leaves Health Benefits

Basil leaves have been used as spices in culinary since ages, and the recently revealed health benefits have just added to their popularity. To some extent basil leaves do resemble peppermint leaves as far as appearance is concerned. These leaves become brown in color after they are dried, following which they are ground and used in culinary as well as medicinal purposes. Dried and ground basil leaves contain significant amounts of vitamin K and vitamin A. it is also rich in iron and calcium, and has traces of manganese, magnesium, potassium and dietary fiber. Various medicinal properties of basil leaves make them an important ingredient of various herbal remedies. Some of the most prominent benefits of this herb are listed below.

Basil Leaves Extract
An extract prepared by adding basil leaves, cardamom, sugar and some milk to half a liter of boiling water is quite helpful in treating fever by bringing down the soaring temperature associated with it. Extract of basil leaves is also used in various cough syrups and expectorants, owing to its tendency to clear mucus in respiratory tract. Chewing tender basil leaves can also help in curbing fever and related health problems to some extent.

Stress Buster and Blood Purifier
Basil leaves are not just used to treat fever. Chewing these leaves daily can also help in purifying blood and preventing stress related disorders. The widely popular anti-stress properties of basil leaves make it an important constituent of alternative medicine.

Anti-inflammatory Properties
Basil leaves substitute medical marijuana owing to their (E)-beta-caryophyllene content which arms them with the same anti-inflammatory effects as the later. This also helps in relieving the inflammation associated with various ailments, including rheumatoid arthritis and bowel inflammation.

Basil Leaves Tea
Drinking 2 to 3 cups of basil tea, prepared by adding basil leaves to boiling water, every day, can help in preventing several ailments, including sore throat, diarrhea, constipation, stomach cramps, gastric ulcer, mouth ulcers and urinary infections. One can add some honey to tea in order to sweeten it. However, this method of sweetening basil tea is not recommended for people suffering from diabetes.

The benefits of basil make it one of the most important constituents of alternative medicine and healthy lifestyle. You don't necessarily have to be ill to resort to basil leaves extract or powder. You can have extract or tea made from these leaves every day, in order to prevent various disorders. However, if you are consuming it to treat an ailment, you need to carefully monitor the condition over a period. If the ailment is not showing any signs of improvement or if it is recurring, you should ideally, consult a doctor for further medical help.