Basil: useful properties and contraindications

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Basil is a spicy-type plant with a unique taste, very popular among cooks. It is a beautiful herb with a rich aroma. There are green and purple varieties. There are no big differences between them. Green is softer, and purple has a rich aroma, bright color, which allows it to be used for decorating dishes: meat, fish, as well as salads and sauces. Fresh and dried herbs are suitable for use. Its taste is sharp, with some bitterness, reminiscent of allspice.

However, basil is used not only in cooking, its medicinal properties are also known. Healing qualities are inherent not only in the leaves, but also in the stems, seeds, flowers of basil. With its beneficial effect on the body, it is equally useful to all people. Here we will get acquainted with the contraindications and beneficial properties of purple and green basil, find out how thismiracle herb is used in cooking and medical practice.

Distribution area

Basil was first discovered in tropical Asia. In India and Iran, culinary masters and doctors have been using it for over 5,000 years. In the cuisine of the peoples of the Mediterranean, the plant occupies a leading place among spices for its unusual taste and aroma. Translated from Greek, the word "basil" means "king".

Description

Basil is a herbaceous plant reaching a height of up to 50 cm. It blooms with small flowers of white, light purple or pink flowers. Leaves are green or purple. In total, there are about 70 plant species, which differ in appearance, taste and smell. Basil contains a lot of essential oils, which give it a unique smell.

Composition

Basil is rich in many useful organic and mineral substances, so necessary for the human body. This medicinal herb contains:

• carbohydrates that are easily digested by the body and release energy when broken down;
• vitamins A, B2, K and C, contributing to the normal functioning of the body;
• oils that moisturize the skin and prevent aging;
• ethers that positively affect the heart muscle;
• tannins that have anti-inflammatory properties and improve blood clotting;
• rutin improves blood quality and strengthens wallsvessels;
• flavonoids - compounds that prevent tumors and regulate metabolism;
• substances of mineral origin (potassium, iron, zinc and others).

It is important to emphasize that the beneficial properties of dried basil are in no way inferior to those of a fresh plant. The only difference is in the content of vitamin C: there is more of it in fresh form. Green basil has the same he alth benefits as purple basil. Green has a less pronounced aroma than purple, which also has a sharper aftertaste. There is also lemon basil, it has the same properties, but it is endowed with a strongly pronounced refreshing aroma.

Useful properties of green and purple basil

Scientists and doctors have identified a number of properties inherent in all types of basil, the main ones are listed below:

• plant strengthens the heart and improves its functioning;
• prevents premature skin aging;
• does not allow the development of atherosclerosis, strengthens blood vessels and reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood;
• prevents the development of cancer;
• increases immunity and prevents the development of pathogenic bacteria (enterococcus, staphylococcus and others);
• normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, prevents inflammation of the mucous membrane and flatulence phenomena;
• positive effect on blood clotting;
• is the prevention of hemorrhoids;
• relieves arthritis;
• has a pronounced anti-inflammatory property;
• the plant is considered a good remedy fordepression;
• has a healing effect on the oral cavity;
• good for eyesight;
• relieves headaches.

This is not a complete list of basil's he alth benefits, but it's impressive. What else is its use?

Useful properties of basil for women

All types of basil have been found to have beneficial properties for women. Its use can bring many benefits to the female body.

1. Relieves pain from PMS. The pain that women experience before menstruation becomes less severe. The general mood improves and cheerfulness appears. During PMS and menstruation, women should consume more basil greens. With its help, iron deficiency will be replenished, which was excreted from the body with blood loss.
2. Help with cystitis. For medicinal purposes, you need 1 tbsp. pour a glass of boiling water over a spoonful of crushed leaves and simmer for 10 minutes over low heat. Before use, cool the broth and filter through 2 layers of gauze. Take 50 g of decoction three times a day.
3. Plant seeds for weight loss. Women often suffer from excess weight and want to get rid of kilograms. It turns out that this can be achieved with the help of basil seeds, which are able to normalize metabolism. We prepare the infusion as follows: take 1 teaspoon of seeds and pour them with 100 ml of heated water, mix. After 5-10 minutes, the seeds will swell. Then add yogurt to the infusion and drink as breakfast. Also recommended for weight losstake baths with basil leaves. Thanks to this procedure, toxic compounds can be removed from the body and swelling can be removed.

Contraindications for women

Not only does basil have beneficial properties for women. There are also contraindications. Basil in any form is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. The essential oils contained in the plant make it an undesirable product during this period. Basil essential oils can increase uterine tone and negatively affect the quality of breast milk.

Useful properties for men

How is basil useful for the stronger sex?

1. Violet basil is an indispensable tool that successfully fights impotence. The active acids of the "royal herb" increase blood circulation, help maintain blood sugar levels. Blood rushes well to the male genital organ, increasing libido and increasing potency. To increase the potency, you need to drink basil tea twice a day. When preparing it, pour 30 g of dry leaves into 500 ml of boiling water. Then you need to infuse the solution for 35 minutes and filter. Drink the liquid in a couple of doses, after adding honey or lemon juice there.
2. Basil allows a man to be more collected, which is necessary when he is on the road. Substances that are in the grass help to concentrate, give vigor and good mood.
3. Dried basil can help get rid of belly fat. The infusion should be prepared as described above. Its seeds are able to burn excess fat, especially if you do not forget about physical exercises.
4. Basil is able to restore strength after increased physical or nervous overload, thanks to the content of a group of vitamins and iron.
5. This spicy herb can strengthen nerves, normalize sleep and smooth out the effects of stressful situations.

Basil has such beneficial qualities for the male body, and why its presence in the diet of the stronger sex is so important.

Contraindications for use for men and women

Despite the fact that basil has a whole range of useful properties, there is still a category of people who are contraindicated to use it in any form. Here are the contraindications for:

• persons who had a heart attack, stroke, as well as patients with ischemia;
• those who suffer from thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, low blood clotting;
• people suffering from epileptic disease;
• hypotonic patients;
• children under 7;

Basil tea is not recommended to drink in large quantities, despite all its healing properties. The leaves and stems of this plant contain small amounts of mercury, which can accumulate in the body and poison it. To avoid such troubles, after a three-week course of treatment, it is recommended to take a week-long break.

The use of plant seeds forweight loss

For your figure to be distinguished by grace, pay attention to the seeds of Thai basil. To this end, you need to prepare a dessert from coconut milk. Seeds are poured with hot water and allowed to swell. After the water is drained, and coconut milk is poured into the seeds. The drink becomes even tastier if you add jasmine buds or rose petals to it.

Thanks to Thai basil seeds, you can remove cholesterol from the body, speed up metabolism, remove excess fluid and harmful compounds.

Medicinal use

Now let's take a look at how basil should be used to counter a number of diseases and keep the body in good condition. For these purposes, the basilica has found many uses.

For dry type cough

Put 7 leaves of grass, 4 cloves of garlic in a plate, pour them with 100 ml of water and cook for 10 minutes. We drink the cooled and filtered broth during the day. Cooked decoction can soften phlegm and make coughing easier.

To strengthen tooth enamel and gums

We take 5-6 dry leaves and grind them into powder. Use this powder to brush your teeth like a paste. After some time, the enamel of the teeth will get stronger, and the gums will improve.

For kidney stones

Useful properties of fresh basil will help you deal with kidney stones. Before eating, you need to eat 7-8 leaves. The juice of the plant activates the secretion of bile. If taken for 5 months a mixture of basil juice and honey inequal proportions, then you can forever forget about kidney stones.

To improve vision

Vision can be strengthened by regularly eating fresh leaves. So that your eyes do not get tired, prepare an infusion according to the following recipe: 2 tbsp. spoons of greens or dried raw materials pour 1500 ml of boiling water. Then cool and filter, then rinse the eyes with this infusion or put compresses on the eyelids twice a day. After a 12-day course, we take a break for a week, and then the course of treatment is repeated. With the help of such a tool, it is easy to remove the burning sensation in the eyes and prevent inflammation of the eyelids.

Relieve stress

Every day, to relieve stress, we eat 12 leaves of a spicy plant in 3-4 doses, chewing them well. The released juice will calm the nerve endings, remove toxins from the body.

Gastrointestinal problems

To do this, pour 1.5 teaspoons of herbs into 250 ml of boiling water, then leave the drink for 25 minutes, filter and cool. Drink 2 glasses daily for 8 days. After that, we take a break for 2 weeks, then we duplicate the course of treatment.

To improve immunity

We take 15 g of dried leaves, grind them into powder. Then brew 200 ml of boiling water. After 20 minutes of infusion, cooling and filtering, the medicine is ready for use. You need to drink three times a day, 50 ml after a meal.

For rheumatism

We take 40 g of chopped dry basil and put it in a bowl withtwo liters of boiling water. After a 35-minute infusion and filtering, pour the prepared product into the bath, which should be taken within a quarter of an hour.

Magical Properties

In addition to medicinal qualities, basil is also credited with magical properties. It is alleged that it can strengthen marital ties, increase fortitude and mood, attract we alth and good luck to your home, and keep peace in the house. Moreover, some believe that the use of basil can give a person the ability to clairvoyance. It is worth planting several basil plants in pots in the house. Then you will have everything: he alth, love, money, peace, harmony, mutual understanding and good mood.