Kitchen Herbs and Medicinal Uses - Basil

Sweet basil is the most common type of  basil planted in the garden.  Basil is one of the prominent herbs used in Italian cooking. Basil has a sweet peppery  anise like after taste. Chefs commonly use basil for cooking and fresh salads but basil is also known for its medicinal properties.

Basil is a natural anti-inflammatory. In addition, its properties make it readily useful for stomach problems. Basil can help with stomach spasms, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Due to its antimicrobial activity, basil helps with calming coughs or taking the sting out of a bug bite. Basil’s antioxidants properties help support kidney function, ease gum ulcers, earaches, and arthritis. A cup of basil tea is also very good for reducing a tension headache by relaxing the muscles that cause it. Steaming a bowl of basil leaves and gently inhaling the steam will help to reduce congestion, plus can be used for the headache.

Holy basil is known as a tonic for the body! Different parts of the plant can be used to treat certain conditions: the flowers - bronchitis; leaves & seeds - malaria; whole plant - diarrhea, nausea, & vomiting; in pill form or as an ointment - eczema; extract - stomach ulcers & eye diseases; essential oil - insect bites.

Basil Tea for stomach issues:

Use fresh leaves as dried leaves tend to weaken their helpful qualities.

2 Tbs fresh chopped leaves

Add to boiling water & steep for 5 minutes

Strain, add raw honey for sweetness

Sip slowly for stomach issues or to soothe a cough (can gargle with brew - don’t add sweetener)