Basil, originally native to Iran, India and other tropical regions of Asia, is commonly used fresh in cooked recipes. It is generally added at the last moment, as cooking quickly destroys its flavor.
Basil has wide uses in different cuisines, some of the most popular being pesto (a green Italian oil-and-herb sauce), Taiwanese soups, or interesting flavors in ice-creams and chocolates.
In India, the Basil is revered as a Protector against diseases. A school of ancient Indian medicine, Ayurveda extols the basil, known in India as Tulsi, as a cure for many ailments.
• Fever & Common Cold: Basil is known to cure fevers, even of the malaria and dengue variety. The leaves of basil are boiled with powdered cardamom in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk and given to the patient every 2 to 3 hours.
• Coughs: Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. Chewing tulsi leaves relieves cold and flu and even cures bronchitis and asthma
• Sore Throat: Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as drink for sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle.
• Respiratory Disorder: A decoction of basil leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective cure for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold. Basil combined with cloves and common salt also gives immediate relief in case of influenza.
• Kidney Stone: In case of renal stone the juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months expels the stones via the urinary tract.
• Heart Disorder: Regular intake of basil reduces the level of blood cholesterol.
• Children’s Ailments: Common pediatric problems like cough cold, fever, diarrhea and vomiting respond favorably to the juice of basil leaves. If pustules of chicken pox delay their appearance, basil leaves taken with saffron will hasten them.
• Stress: Basil leaves are regarded as an anti-stress agent. Regular intake purifies blood and helps prevent several common elements.
• Mouth Infections: The leaves are a cure for mouth ulcers and infections in the mouth. A few leaves chewed will cure these conditions.
• Insect Bites: The herb is a preventive and curative for insect stings or bites. A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves taken before or after the sting or bite relieves infections caused by it. Fresh juice or a paste of the roots applied on the affected parts has proven to relieve infections caused by bites of insects and leeches.
• Skin Disorders: Applied locally, basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases.
• Teeth Disorder: The powdered form of Basil in used in Dental tooth powders which can be used for brushing teeth. This is very good for maintaining dental health, counteracting foul breath and healthy gums. It is also useful in pyorrhea and other teeth disorders.
• Headaches: A drink of Basil water or its paste mixed with sandalwood applied on the forehead gives relief from heat, headache, and for providing coolness in general.
• Eye Disorders: Basil juice is a wonderful remedy for sore eyes and night-blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin A.