How Is Basil Used For Medicinal Purposes?

Basil is an herb. The parts of the plant that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Basil is used for stomach spasms, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, kidney conditions, fluid retention, head colds, warts, and worm infections. It is also used to treat snake and insect bites.

What is the best way to use basil?

How to Use Basil

1. Top whole leaves onto pizza.
2. Finish pasta with whole or thinly sliced leaves.
3. Blend it into sauces.
4. Puree it into soups.
5. Chop it up to add to a salad.
6. Use it to garnish avocado toast.
7. Turn it into an ice cream topping! Jazz up vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries, basil, and a balsamic reduction.

Can I Boil basil leaves and drink?

The herb can also be used to make freshly brewed tea by placing 2–3 teaspoons of holy basil in a cup of boiling water and letting it steep for 5–6 minutes. The leaves are also commonly used in cooking, though some people eat the leaves raw. Holy basil tastes spicy and bitter.

Is eating raw basil leaves good for you?

Nutrient Powerhouse. Basil is an excellent source of vitamin K and manganese; a very good source of copper, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids such as beta-carotene), and vitamin C; and a good source of calcium, iron, folate, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids making it quite nutrient rich!

What is the benefit of basil?

It has compounds that can help to alleviate anxiety and depression, increase your ability to think clearly, and lower the risk for age-related memory loss. Essential oils in basil, including eugenol, linalool, and citronellol, can help to fight inflammation in the body.

What meat goes well with basil?

Basil is a good herb to pair with beef because it is peppery, sort of sweet, and slightly minty. This is an interesting flavor combination to add to savory meats, as it surprises the mouth.

Can you put basil in tea?

While basil is best known for flavoring Italian recipes, its flavor lends intrigue to tea. This recipe has a slightly different method from our other herbal tea recipes. Because the flavor of basil isn’t strong enough on its own, combine it with black tea and lemon for the perfect brew!

Can you drink basil leaf tea?

Drinking a cup of hot piping basil tea is an amazing stress reliever. Basil leaf has certain components that helps to improve the memory. Basil is often used in tonics for digestion that helps reduce or prevent indigestion. Including this wonder herb in your diet regularly can even help prevent acid reflux.

Is basil good for high blood pressure?

Basil contains compounds, such as eugenol, that may help reduce blood pressure, according to animal studies.

What part of basil do we eat?

The leaves are most often removed from the stem and either torn, cut into chiffonade, or finely chopped. They can also be used whole and added as a pizza topping or garnish. Thicker stems and stalks should be discarded because they tend to be bitter, but it is okay to include the small stems in dishes.

What are the side effects of basil?

In some people basil can cause low blood sugar. The above-ground parts of basil and basil oil are POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine, long-term. These contain estragole, a chemical that might increase the risk of getting liver cancer.

Can basil leaves be cooked?

Raw or cooked, fresh basil adds its own distinct, beloved flavor to any number of dishes. It’s one of those herbs that home cooks turn to so often that many have found it more convenient to grow their own so they always have a supply on hand.

How many basil leaves should you eat a day?

The suggested dosage ranges from 300 mg to 2,000 mg per day for general preventive purposes. When used as a treatment, the recommended dosage is 600 mg to 1,800 mg taken in multiple doses throughout the day. All parts of the plant might be used in supplements and topical ointments.

What is the difference between holy basil and basil?

The sweet basil herb is used mainly as a cooking ingredient to help elevate a meal and give it extra flavor, whereas holy basil is rarely used in the culinary world. The leaves can also help with differentiation because sweet basil has smooth, plump leaves, and holy basil leaves have a more jagged appearance.

What happens if you eat too much basil?

In some people basil can cause low blood sugar. The above-ground parts of basil and basil oil are POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine, long-term. These contain estragole, a chemical that might increase the risk of getting liver cancer.