Discover The Healing Properties Of The Plan

Basil is a perennial with a stem growing to height up to 80 centimeters. The stem is branched. Basil leaves are green, red or violet depending upon the species. The tiny blossoms are white, rosy or violet arranged in semi-whorls. The blossoms can be seen from July till September.

Basil is a genus containing approximately 200 species of plants, which are native to tropical and subtropical areas in Africa and South Asia. Several species are cultivated to get camphor. The plant is grown all over the world to use it not only in food as spice, but also for medical purposes. You should collect leaves before the florescence of the plant or at the very beginning of it. Hand pick certain amount of the leaves making sure you do not disturb the further vegetation of the plant. When collecting tops, you should cut flowering plants about 5-10 centimeters above the ground. You can use both fresh and dried herbs. You can refrigerate the leaves, as well, to use them in food as spice, thus allowing to maintain the taste nuances of the plant.

1. Basil leaves and tops are rich in essential oil (up to 1.5 percent), ascorbic acid, rutin, carotene, tannins and other biologically active substances. The active substances, as well as, the amount of these substances the essential oil contains vary between different basil species. For instance, common basil contains essential oil rich in metilchavikol, chavikol, linalool, cineole and other active substances, but the essential oil of camphor basil, in its turn, contains 60-70 percent camphor. Lemon basil and anise basil have completely different aromas. Consequently, the chemical composition of the essential oils of these species is completely different, as well.
2. The herb possesses anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, bactericidal and body strengthening properties.
3. Essential oil, leaves and tops are used for medical purposes. An infusion made of basil leaves and tops stimulates appetite and relieves stomach pain. In addition, the remedy has anti-fever and expectorant properties. Basil species containing essential oil with camphor can be used as tonic remedy in case of asthenia.
4. You should mix basil leaves and tops with rosemary, salvia and yarrow, and use the mix of the herbs to make a decoction to strengthen body weakened by a disease or mental exhaustion and increase protection ability of your organism.

Several species are used to make homeopathic remedies.

Basil is commonly used as a spice. It can be added to meat, vegetable (especially, tomato), fish, cheese and egg dishes. The aroma and taste of the plant is very strong. Therefore, you should add only a bit of it to your meal.

 

Source : Enzine