Health Benefits of Basil

Anxiety

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Posted by Wydo (Ventura, CA) on 04/16/2009
★★★★★

Anxiety Remedies: A couple of years ago I started feeling anxious for no reason at all. It became worse and worse until I couldn't stand myself. My doctor gave me xanax to sleep at night but I still had that anxious feeling all the time. I tried no-flush niacin and that helped a little. Then I tried rhodiola and that helped a lot more. I went for several months until I found holy basil. I find it works the best and has a nice side benefit. I can have my tea and still sleep as long as I take my holy basil in the evening. So for me it counters the bad effects of caffeine. I still keep the rhodiola and niacin around for backup and take them in the morning sometimes but nothing replaces the holy basil.

Burning Tongue

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Posted by Marsha (Sarasota, Fl) on 05/07/2009
★★★★☆

Basil really helped with my burning tongue, just chew it for awhile, I chewed on the strings of it from my Herb garden, it numbed it and took away the burning feeling, but if I would eat or drink something the tongue would burn again. I definately cannot eat anything hot or spicey or it sets my tongue on fire. I also tried popcycles, it was like chewing ice but better and yummier, suger-free gum helps alot but I got tired of chewing gum! I told my doctor but seems like he didn't care or did not know what to do. I am going to go to my dentist to see if he has any anwers. I might get a test for Celiac disease to see if that is what it is, I eat alot of wheat bread??? I cannot keep going on with my tongue burning, it is such a pain in the neck or really alot of burning pain on my tongue. If you have any ideas to help me I would appreciate your help!!!!!

Circulation

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Posted by Connie (Manitowoc, Wisconsin) on 10/20/2009
★★★★★

Basil helps Varicose Veins, leg cramps/circulation

I drink too much coffee and get tight calf muscles. Also I have small varicose veins. One day I stumbled on this, and it works so well I try to use the basil every day. It makes my legs feel warm and relaxed; I can usually tell when it starts to take effect, as I suddenly notice the sensation. Also, the veins are shrinking. This is what I do, not sure what's most important, but the basil seems to be the thing. I tried just making basil tea, and it didn't seem to work.

Scrambled Eggs
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon basil (dried)
chopped onion
cheese
olive oil to grease the pan
pinch sea salt
pinch ground black pepper
cook as usual

Salad
lettuce
tomatoes
onions
cheese
green pepper
olive oil
fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon basil (dried)
pinch sea salt

Replied by Jennifer
(Sydney, Australia)
10/21/2009

Thankyou, Connie for your basil posting.
One question: Wouldn't fresh basil be more potent and effective than dried basil??? Obviously this is working for you, but I am a little confused and would've thought the fresh herb would be better. Does anyone know???
thankyou. (I LOVE basil!)

Jennifer"

10/22/2009: Connie from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA replies: "That thought occurred to me, too. So I tried adding fresh store-bought basil to a salad thinking it would work even better. It was as if there was no basil at all. Don't know why. Maybe it was irradiated or something. Don't know. Try it. Maybe your basil is different. Both generic store brand and fancy non-irradiated dried basil worked. Maybe it was the variety rather than the processing?"

10/22/2009: Connie from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA replies: "That's cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. That's what I use."

10/23/2009: Lita from Sanford, Fl replies: "How exactly do you use it?? Do you apply it topically or drink it??? How much??? Thanks"

EC: Connie gives a recipe in her first post on the subject.

11/01/2009: Jb from Central, Maryland replies: "The basil remedy is very intriguing. The difference between dried basil and fresh may be more about the amount than the processing. In cooking, one must use significantly more fresh herb than dried to get the same flavor level. Perhaps this is a similiar situation. Either way, I'm going to try the dried basil-- I'm glad it's working for you, Connie. Thanks for posting your find!"

04/09/2010: Anonymous from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Usa replies: "Looking online I saw that 2 teaspoons of dry basil contains 60% of the Daily Value of vitamin K. Curious I went to see what vitamin K is goood for. It is said to regulate the production and flow of calcium, and thereby it helps prevent osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure/stroke, and may help prevent diabetes and Alzheimer's. Supposedly our bodies usually make only a third of what is needed. Liver and gall bladder disease, and diseases of the intestinal tract, as well as some medicines such as long-term antibiotics and cholesterol lowering drugs can deplete vitamin K. The volitile oils in it are destroyed by high heat, so using it at low temperatures or not heating it are recommended. Maybe basil would be helpful where free glutamic acid (think MSG) is causing a calcium imbalance?"

04/09/2010: Anonymous from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Usa replies: "Chamomile: This at Wikipedia

German chamomile is used medicinally against sore stomach, irritable bowel syndrome, and as a gentle sleep aid. It is also used as a mild laxative and is anti-inflammatory and bactericidal. It can be taken as a herbal tea, two teaspoons of dried flower per cup of tea, which should be steeped for ten to fifteen minutes while covered to avoid evaporation of the volatile oils. The marc should be pressed because of the formation of a new active principle inside the cells, which can then be released by rupturing the cell walls, though this substance only forms very close to boiling point. For a sore stomach, some recommend taking a cup every morning without food for two to three months. [4] It is also used as a mouthwash against oral mucositis. It has acaricidal properties against certain mites, such as Psoroptes cuniculi. One of the active ingredients of the essential oil from German chamomile is the terpene bisabolol. [5][6] Other active ingredients include farnesene, chamazulene, flavonoids (including apigenin, quercetin, patuletin and luteolin) and coumarin.[7]

A 2006 review of the medical literature reported a number of beneficial effects for chamomile in in vitro and animal tests, but added that more human clinical trials are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. Research with animals suggests antispasmodic, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and some antimutagenic and cholesterol-lowering effects for chamomile. [8] Chamomile has sped healing time of wounds in animals.[9] [10] It also showed some benefit in an animal model of diabetes.[11] In vitro chamomile has demonstrated moderate antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and significant antiplatelet activity, as well as preliminary results against cancer.[12] [13] Essential oil of chamomile was shown to be a promising antiviral agent against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro. [14] Potential risks include interference with warfarin and infant botulism in very young children.[15] [16]

(end quote)

Coumarin is said to be a blood thinner."

07/23/2010: Danni from Miami, Florida replies: "I would really like to hear more about how your varicose veins are after using dried basil for a while. I saw an article about using basil in a magazine and know there was a study done on it overseas. I'm curious to see what amount of improvement you've seen in your varicose veins. How long did it take? I'd also like to hear from anyone else who is using it to help varicose and/or spider veins. Thanks!"

09/25/2011: Gina from Waxahachie, Texas, Usa replies: "FYI- dried basil isn't just leaves, it's the flower heads also. They are much more pungent. if you use fresh basil medicinally be sure to include some flower heads.

Earache

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Posted by Matt (Trenton, FL) on 06/17/2007
★★★★★

I kept reading that holy basil leaves would kill the pain. I didn't wanna chop fresh ones up so i just found a small bottle of the liquid from a company out of India. I put 2 drops into my ear with the pain and it seem to get rid of the pain within minutes. I don't know about everyone else but i know anti biotic will get rid of the infection i just need to get rid of the pain myself until they do their job. This sure helped.

Insomnia

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Posted by Kate (Atlanta, GA) on 06/27/2009
★★★★★

Basil has been by far the best remedy for my insomnia. I bring about 2 cups of water to a simmer, add 1/2 of a tablespoon of dried basil, turn the stove off, and let it sit, covered, for about twenty minutes. I've substituted a bruised sprig of fresh basil on occasion with the same wonderful effects. I start sipping on this tea about two hours before bed, and it knocks me out every time. I've upped the ammount of basil in the tea or the ammount of the tea I drink on occasion but the above measurements are the average ammounts that work best for me.

Irritability

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Posted by Lisa (Coto De Caza, Ca) on 10/12/2009
★★★★★

Holy Basil for Irritability: Since I started peri menopause, I noticed that I can get very grumpy and irritable. Taking 1 Holy Basil first thing in the morning helps a lot, just ask my husband and kids.

EC: More about this herb on Dr. Weil's site: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA346157/holy-basil-to-combat-stress.html

Spider Bite

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Posted by Kat (New Brighton, PA) on 12/28/2007
★★★★★

If a spider bite itches, take a pinch, or more of Basil (McCormick, crushed basil) rub it on the bite until the basil is fine as sand, or until the itch is gone. Repeat if necessary. This will also keep the bitten area from swelling. This does work. I have used basil on bitten areas; and I have also used on my mother's arm. thank you.

Basil
Health Benefits

Health Benefits of Basil

What Is Basil?