★★★★★
Irritability
★★★★★
EC: More about this herb on Dr. Weil's site: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA346157/holy-basil-to-combat-stress.html
Anxiety
★★★★★
Circulation
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.
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
★★★★★
Insomnia
★★★★★
Burning Tongue
★★★★☆
