BASIL PLANT
Medicinal Plant Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Sweet basil is native to India and Iran and is widely grown as a kitchen herb. It is found growing wild in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The leaves of plant are sweet, aromatic, warming and pungent. They are used as flavouring agent and in the preparation of salads. Sweet basil is a medicinal herb and its leaves and seeds are used for curing variety of diseases. It is antibacterial, anti-spasmodic, antiviral, carminative and nervine. The seeds are used to reduce body heat and nervous debility. For this purpose they are soaked in water overnight and consumed in the morning. The leaves are effective remedy for digestive and respiratory disorders.
Scientific Classification
The botanical name of Sweet Basil is Ocimum basilicum and it belongs to the family Lamiacaea. The synonyms of species are O. caryophyllatum Roxb.;O. minimum Linn.;and O. pilosum Willd.
The Genus name, Ocimum is derived from the Greek word ‘ozo’ (means to smell), due to the strong odours of the species within the genus. The species name may have been derived from the Greek word basileus, or king. Sweet basil is also referred as the king of herbs.
Its taxonomical classification is as given below:-
KINGDOM Plantae
PHYLUM Magnoliophyta
CLASS Magnoliopsida
ORDER Lamiales
FAMILY Lamiacaea
GENUS Ocimum
SPECIES O. basilicum
Medicinal uses of Sweet Basil/Basil herb
Sweet basil is a common medicinal herb and used in treatment of various diseases from time immemorial. The leaves of plant contain methylchaylcol, linalol, eugenol, thymol and xanthamicrol. The juice extracted from fresh leaves is folk medicine to treat respiratory disorders, fever, ear pain etc.
The flowers of plant are stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, diuretic, and demulcent. Seeds are antidysenteric. The Juice obtained from leaf is antibacterial. The essential oil obtained from plant is antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal.Here are few common traditional medicinal uses of Sweet basil leaves and seeds.
1. Pain in Ear, dull hearing
The leaf juice is used to treat pain in ear and dullness of hearing. Leaves are ground and squeezed to get the juice. This juice is put in ear (1 drop, twice a day) as ear drop.Nose infection, congestion
The leaf juice is also instilled in nose (1 drop) for nose infection and nasal congestion.
3. White discharge
For white discharge, five fresh leaves are consumed in the morning.
4. Delivery pain
Four teaspoons of leaf juice is given during labour pain to reduce pain. This also eases the delivery.
5. Tiredness after childbirth in women
For reducing tiredness after delivery, one teaspoon of seeds included in a glass of water is consumed after an hour. In sore throat, chewing leaves is helpful.
6. Piles, constipation
In piles, constipation, the seeds (1/2 tsp) are taken with one glass of warm water.
7. Insect sting
For insect stings, ground leaves are placed on affected parts.
8. Pimples, acne
In acne vulgaris, pimples the leaf juice is applied externally on affected area and left for few minutes. Then skin is rinsed with plain water.
Sweet basil Herbal tea
For making infusion of leaves or herbal tea, take 1 teaspoon of dried herb or 3 teaspoons of fresh, crushed herb. Cover the leaves with 1 cup of boiling water and brew for few minutes. You may add honey if desired.
This infusion is beneficial in gas, cramps, spasm, nausea, and other digestive troubles. Since it has warming properties, it is also useful in cold, cough and respiratory illness.
Recommended dosage of plant:
Whole plant decoction:50-100 ml;seed 1-3 g powder;1–2 teaspoon juice per cup of water 2–3 times a day.
Caution/Warning
Sweet basil must not be used for long period.
It should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
It must not be given to infants.
The plant has slightly narcotic effect.
Thanks:
https://www.bimbima.com
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