Medical Benefits of the Basil Herb

Basil is commonly used as a culinary flavoring ingredient. It adds taste to tomato-based pasta recipes, and it can give extra zest to many different vegetable dishes. It is also a key ingredient in pesto. However, basil has also been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine. The leaves, seeds and essential oils in basil can be used to treat a variety of different ailments.

Stress Reliever

• In the article "Sacred Basil - an Ayurvedic Adaptogen," Dr. Hans Wohlmuth, a pharmacognosist from the Centre for Phytochemistry and Pharmacology at Southern Cross University, explains that basil can be used to relieve stress and alleviate depression. Basil, particularly the variety known as holy or sacred basil, is what is known as an adaptogen. This means that it helps the body cope with high levels of stress by reducing the body's cortisol level. It can also be used as a mood enhancer and improves the mind's ability to think clearly during stressful situations.

Herbal Tea for Fever

• Dr. Anjan Nath, Ph.D. is a homeopathic expert from Tunghai University in Taiwan. He suggests that a patient with fever should drink a concoction of tea that is made with basil leaves as well as black pepper and rock sugar. This will induce sweating and cause the fever to break.

  Steven Maimes, a researcher from SALAM Research in Rochester, New Hampshire, suggests using fresh basil juice with black pepper to help bring down high fevers. He also notes that using a tea made from basil leaves, cardamom, sugar and milk can help to bring down a patient's temperature.

Skin Treatment

• At holy-basil.com, Stephen Maimes suggests using basil to treat insect bites. He claims that rubbing fresh basil leaves on the site of an insect bite will lessen the itching and stinging sensation. He also indicates that basil can reduce the effects of eczema and psoriasis.

  Dr. Anjan Nath shares many different uses for basil at his website www/accessnewage.com. For instance, he notes that when basil is rubbed on the skin, the oil acts as a natural and harmless insect repellant. He also suggests using basil as a temporary treatment for ringworm. Dr. Nath explains how to make a wash by mixing the juice from the leaves with equal amounts of honey. Applying this solution to the affected area will lessen the itching and irritation that can be caused by ringworm.

  Finally, Dr. Nath explains how to use basil as a cosmetic skin treatment. For example, the juice of basil leaves can be used as an astringent for daily skin care. He also suggests using basil oil to help rejuvenate the skin and brighten dull hair.

Anti-Diabetic Properties

• Dr. Hans Wohlmuth conducted research into scientific studies and found several studies which indicated that sacred basil could help to lower blood sugar in animals. Additional clinical trials were conducted that examined the effects of basil on noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients. The results found that patients who used basil showed a decrease in blood sugar levels.