Basil: beneficial properties and contraindications for human he alth

Basil, whose beneficial properties and contraindications have already been well studied, is actively used not only for culinary purposes, but also for medicinal purposes. The beneficial effect of this fragrant spice on the human body has long been proven. The rich and extensive chemical composition of this crop allows it to be used in various fields.

Royal herb basil

The name of the fragrant spice is translated from Greek as "royal". Since ancient times, basil has held a dominant position in the world of spices and was considered the royal herb.The culture is especially widely used in the cuisine of the Mediterranean states, where it is indispensable as a spice in various salads, soups and second courses. The unique and refined taste of dishes is given by notes of soft spicy cloves, a subtle aroma of white allspice and a tart flavor of lime.

In India, Iran and Pakistan, basil is also actively used, the benefits and harms of this herbaceous plant were described in ancient times by many healers and healers. In nature, you can find more than 50 varieties of this culture, which differ in appearance and have a different original taste (bitter pepper, anise, lemon, clove-mint and others).

Despite the taste and visual differences, the beneficial properties of basil of different varieties are almost the same. On the territory of Russia, spicy grass of purple and green shades is most often cultivated.

Composition and calorie content of fresh and dried basil

Basil herb has an extremely rich chemical composition. Its foliage contains a large amount of essential oils (up to 1.5%), which give the spice a unique taste and piquant aroma.

The following vitamins were found in the dried and fresh herbs of this fragrant plant:

• group B (choline, thiamine, pyridoxine, niacin, folic and pantothenic acids);
• E (tocopherol acetate);
• C (ascorbic acid);
• A (beta-carotene);
• K (phylloquinone);
• PP (nicotinic acid);
• carotene (provitamin A).

Basil stands out for its high content of iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.Sodium, selenium, mercury and zinc are present in smaller amounts. In addition to essential oil, the herb contains various tannins, phytoncides, camphor, rutin, simple sugars, etc. You can use this fragrant spice both fresh and dried. The benefits are almost the same.

The calorie content of fresh green mass does not exceed 23 kcal per 100 g of grass, and for dried basil, the energy value is about 251 kcal. Not only green mass (fresh and dried) is used, basil seeds are actively used (for weight loss, treatment of skin diseases, hair improvement).

The benefits of basil for the human body

Basil is useful for human he alth due to the following qualities:

• has a strong tonic effect;
• increases immunity;
• strengthens vascular walls, improves blood clotting;
• improves visual acuity and helps slow down age-related changes in the retina;
• beneficially affects the condition of hair, nails and skin;
• normalizes blood pressure;
• removes toxins and harmful substances (cholesterol, free radicals and others);
• has an antibacterial effect, protects against viral, fungal and bacterial infections;
• has antipyretic and diaphoretic effects, eliminates inflammation (with bronchitis, colds, tonsillitis);
• has a pronounced antiseptic effect and wound healing effect;
• strengthens the nervous system, relieves stress, improves mood;
• improves digestion and promotes better absorption of nutrients;
• reduces intestinal gas;
• has an analgesic effect (for toothache, migraines, menstrual cramps);
• thanks to antioxidants prevents the occurrence of malignant neoplasms;
• normalizes the activity of the cardiovascular system;
• has a mild diuretic effect.

Based on the ground green part of the plant and seeds, various home medicines are prepared: drinks, tinctures, oils, decoctions.

Basil juice

Freshly squeezed basil juice has tonic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Compresses and lotions from freshly prepared green mass help with long-healing wounds, burns, purulent lesions and skin pathologies. A few teaspoons of juice diluted with hot milk are taken orally for sore throats, loss of appetite, fever, insomnia and nervous disorders.

These drinks improve mood, relieve depression and calm nerves.Scientifically proven benefits for men, as fresh spice improves blood circulation. The beneficial effect on the male body is manifested in an increase in potency.

Basil spirit tincture

Widely used are products based on alcohol and dried or fresh leaves of the plant. Various alcohol and vodka tinctures are used for migraines, colitis, gastritis, pyelitis, tuberculosis and whooping cough. However, the medicinal properties of basil can sometimes have the opposite effect. In diseases of the cardiovascular system, alcohol preparations from basil are highly discouraged.

To prepare the tincture, you need to take 50-60 fresh green leaves of this fragrant herb, pour them into ½ cup of alcohol or vodka, tightly close with a cork or lid, then insist for 10-14 days in a cool and dark place.

Basil tea

The benefits of basil for the human body with regular use have been noticed for a long time.For this, tea made from dried spice leaves is best suited. The drink relieves anxiety, depression and blues, normalizes night sleep, helps to quickly restore strength during exhaustion and physical exertion. The decoction has a pronounced calming effect.

Basil tea strengthens the body, improves immunity. It is recommended for hypotension, as it gently increases blood pressure. A cold broth perfectly quenches thirst on a hot summer day, lemon basil is especially good in this regard, which has an original cooling aftertaste.

Preparing tea does not take much time and effort. To do this, take dried basil greens (1 tsp without top), pour 200 ml of boiling water, cover with a lid or saucer, then leave for about 30 minutes. Take ½ cup twice a day orally.

Use in traditional medicine

In quackery and folk medicine, basil has found wide application. Preparations are made from it in the form of decoctions, tinctures, medicinal balms and oils. Various means based on it are used in the following situations:

• an infusion of dried leaves with a small amount of black sesame seeds is effective for the first symptoms of colds and viral infections;
• sour milk or curdled milk with crushed powder of dried spices is given to expectant mothers with difficult and problematic childbirth, the drink gives strength and helps to accelerate the appearance of breast milk;
• gruel of grated fresh basil herb is applied in the form of compresses on calluses and wounds, lubricated with the resulting mass of whiskey or the back of the head, get rid of a headache;
• lotions with basil are recommended to improve the condition of the skin;
• to gently reduce high blood pressure, take a remedy from the dried ground part of the plant, soaked in boiling water;
• Essential oils of basil are inhaled with a runny nose, they reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa;
• poultices and compresses are prepared from green leaves of the spice, which relieve pain in the back and joints;
• a decoction of dried and fresh leaves is used to treat oral diseases (periodontitis, gingivitis, various wounds and ulcers), they relieve sore throat and treat inflammation;
• freshly squeezed juice is used to treat the skin for fungal infections.

You can use all parts of the spicy culture, not just green leaves. The root of the plant is effective for intestinal infections and digestive disorders, the tea from the flowers is useful as a sedative and tonic.

Spicy herb in cooking

The original basil spice, whose beneficial properties for men and women have been studied since ancient times, is widely used in various national cuisines. It is eaten both fresh and dried.Aromatic herb is a common food additive to hot meat and fish dishes, various salads, sauces, and sometimes even drinks (liqueurs, balms, lemonade). Lemon basil is indispensable in the composition of tonic green tea.

The field of use of seasoning is extremely wide, it is added to soups, pizza, pasta, desserts and confectionery. Greens are used for pickling tomatoes and cucumbers, pickling mushrooms, in eggplant and zucchini salads, and also for sauerkraut. Dried herb is added to sausages, sandwich oils, pates, flavored vinegar. A sauce based on olive oil, basil and garlic is a classic in French cuisine. The spice is used as an independent seasoning and as part of various mixtures of spices.

Folk recipes for medical use

There are a lot of recipes for using basil for medical and medicinal purposes. Most often, it is recommended to use medicines based on it as follows:

• decoction of the dried ground part of the plant is advised to gargle with tonsillitis and sore throat twice a day;
• to relieve a toothache, add 1 tsp to the decoction. table s alt and table vinegar and rinse with a warm solution, briefly retaining the liquid in the mouth;
• basil with rosemary and sage is poured with boiling water and infused, tightly closed with a lid, then filtered and drunk 1 glass a day (for sexual weakness);
• finely chopped fresh stems pour dry wine and infuse for 20 days, take 30 ml three times a day after meals (increases potency);
• tea from 1 tbsp. l. dried herbs and 1 cup boiling water (infuse for 10 minutes) helps to get rid of menstrual pain on critical days, stress and neurosis;
• the same decoction is useful to drink as a tea drink and a tonic, adding lemon, sugar or honey to it;
• a strong decoction of green mass (boil for 5 minutes) promotes the fastest healing of scratches, cracks and small wounds on the skin;
• eyes are washed with a decoction of basil to relieve inflammation, tension and fatigue (we make an infusion of 30 g of chopped herbs and 0.5 liters of boiling water);
• powder from the dried leaves of this spice is used for the common cold (as a sneezing remedy);
• wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effect of grass powder will have when added to ointments and creams for the treatment of eczema and trophic ulcers;
• skin lesions (ulcers, wounds, eczema) are treated with freshly squeezed juice, and the liquid is also instilled into the ears for otitis media;
• for weight loss, it is recommended to eat 1 tsp daily. basil seeds in the morning on an empty stomach with plenty of warm liquid.

Basil contraindications: harm to spices

The misuse of basil-based preparations can be dangerous and harmful even in the absence of direct contraindications.In this variant, the human body sometimes reacts with severe food poisoning and upset. The harm caused by the basil will be stronger than all its positive qualities.

This spicy spice should not be used in the following situations:

• thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, tendency to varicose veins;
• poor blood clotting;
• vegetovascular dystonia and hypotension,
• recent myocardial infarction;
• diabetes mellitus;
• epileptic seizures;
• inflammatory processes in the brain;
• stroke;
• exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
• ischemic heart disease;
• individual intolerance;
• under 7 years old.

Caution should be used by pregnant women and during breastfeeding, as large amounts of essential oils can have a negative effect on the body of the fetus and expectant mother.

The chemical composition of this plant includes mercury, it gives the grass bactericidal properties and enhances the body's defenses. But excessive consumption and exceeding the daily dosage several times is harmful to he alth. Therefore, for medicinal purposes, basil is not used for more than 20 days, after a short break, the course can be resumed. Before using an aromatic herb as a healing agent, you should consult with your doctor.

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