The basil is a herbaceous annual culture plant, ramified from the ground, 20-60 cm tall with hairy stems, round-oval leaves and white or reddish flowers.
The basil has been known since ancient times and is a holy plant in India, very much appreciated by Egyptians, too; bouquets of basil were found in the Egyptian pyramids.
An aromatic plant, the basil is used in the culinary art as a seasoning for diverse meat and sauce dishes. Traditional medicine uses basil as a remedy for chronic gastritis and stomach aches.
Starting from the essential oil content of the basil, as related to the other active elements, basil is recommended in the treatment of gastro-intestinal and renal affections, bronchitis and fever.
The use of basil leaf tea is recommended in nervous system fatigue, insomnia and painful menstruation. To avoid the unpleasant effects of insect stings rub the wounded spot with fresh basil leaves or with the juice from fresh basil plants.
Health Benefits of Basil and applying techniques:
* Basil tea:
The infusion is prepared of 1-2 spoonfuls of basil leaves, shredded, boiled in 250 ml of water. The tea is left to infuse 2 minutes. Drink 2-3 cups a day. It is recommended to drink a cup after every meal. This tea treats distention and intestinal colics, gastric ulcer, anorexia, urinary infections, diarrhea.
In case o diabetes, basil tea should be consumed unsweetened, but in all the other cases can be sweetened with bee honey. The tea for throat wash will be prepared like a decoction with 2 spoonfuls of shredded leaves at 100 ml of water. It will be used to treat mouth lesion, inflammation and erosion.
* Tonic basil wine:
Is prepared of 2 handfuls of basil leaves, well washed and dried, minced and deposited in a bottle. Over the leaves will be poured 1 liter of red wine and a spoonful of honey. It is left to macerate 5-7 days. To extract most efficiently the active elements from the leaves shake the bottle 4-5 times a day. After filtration the obtained tonic wine will be put in a well sealed bottle. It is an excellent natural medicine for stimulating the appetite. Drink it 15-30 minutes before every meal. Children should be administered a spoonful of wine 2-3 times a day and adults should drink 100 ml, 3 times a day.
* Basil tincture:
20 g of minced basil plants are left to macerate in 100 ml of 70 degrees alcohol. The macerating process lasts 15 days. After macerating, it is filtered and put in a well sealed bottle. For internal use is administered to children 3-5 drops in 100 ml of water 3 times a day. Adults take a spoonful of tincture in 100 ml of water, 3 times a day. For external use the tincture will be diluted in water in a ratio of 1/5 and can go to 1/10 for more sensible patients. In case of insect stings, wounds, eczema, tampon with tincture or apply compresses.
