Basil

Ocimum basilicum L. (Reagan)

Basil is a very ancient crop. It was grown in Ancient Greece and India. The pleasant, slightly bitter taste of basil contributed to the rapid spread of this plant throughout the countries of the world. People call it the herb of long-livers. Indeed, basil oil has beneficial effects on the health of older people. In many countries, basil is a traditional spice; mixed with rosemary, it replaces allspice for allergy sufferers. According to scientific research, basil destroys many types of pathogenic microorganisms and protozoa, stimulates appetite, contains vitamin P and provitamin A, stimulates digestion and the body's defenses.

Medicinal properties

1. Prescribed for bronchitis, whooping cough, sore throat, pneumonia, colds, flu, weakened respiratory function.
2. Helps restore the sense of smell after a long runny nose.
3. A strong antispasmodic for stomach and intestinal colic.
4. Used for digestive disorders, flatulence, vomiting, treatment of chronic gastritis, food poisoning. Stimulates appetite.
5. Used for cystitis, pyelonephritis. Has a diuretic effect.
6. Recommended for painful menstruation and uterine diseases.
7. General tonic for asthenia. Helps get rid of headaches and dizziness.
8. Increases blood pressure, normalizes cardiac activity and blood circulation.
9. In dentistry, it is used to treat stomatitis, relieve toothache, and also as a disinfectant and deodorant.
10. It has an analgesic effect for nervous diseases, arthritis, gout, rheumatism, muscle cramps, bruises, purulent tendovaginitis.
11. Effective for inflammation of the middle ear.
12. Antiseptic for the treatment of long-term non-healing wounds, fungal skin lesions, phlegmon, trophic and diabetic ulcers, eczema.
13. Antipyretic for septic fevers with cardiac dysfunction.
14. Helps restore immunity levels.
15. In folk medicine, it is used to increase milk in nursing women, treat wounds, ulcers, treat warts, cleanse the intestines, strengthen gums, restore strength after long and debilitating illnesses against the background of exogenous and endogenous intoxication and various infections.
16. A stimulant for depression of the central nervous system. Helps restore strength in cases of nervous exhaustion, physical and mental fatigue, weakened memory, mental acuity, and lack of concentration. Soothes depression, states of fear, melancholy, apathy, hysteria, insomnia.
17. It is successfully used for skin hyperemia, as well as for the care of aging skin, as it softens well, helps retain moisture, and stimulates protein metabolism. Stops hair loss.
18. Softens the effects of insect bites.

Dosage

Externally: 3-4 k. per 10 ml of vegetable oil.

Internally: 2 k. for 1 tsp. honey 3 times a day after meals.

Baths: 4-7 k.

Rinse: 5 k. per 100 ml of alcohol solution.

Inhalations: 2-3 k.

Contraindications. Individual intolerance, pregnancy, increased blood clotting.

Note. An overdose of basil essential oil can cause cardiac dysfunction. It is not recommended to use it after a heart attack or stroke, since basil helps to increase the prothrombin index.