Latin Name : Ocimum Basilicum
English Name : Sweet Basil
Ayurvedic name : Babui Tulsi/ Bantulsi
Family : Labiatae
Parts Used : herbs and seeds
Indigenous to India and obtained from a small, erect, glabrous and profusely branched plant Basil is a member of the mint family. It forms a part of the sweet herb family A herb known to have been cultivated for more than 3000 years Basil has a rich , sweet aroma and a pungent characteristic taste. Dried Basil is much less aromatic and hence deep freezing is the best method of preservation. It is known for its rich blending properties.
Basil is mostly used as a condiment in food, but Basil oil forms part of several special brands. Its application lays in French Liquors, sophisticated perfumes and gourmet class culinary seasoning.
In India the Basil plant is sacred to both Krishna and Vishnu, and is cherished in every Hindu house. Probably on account of its virtues, in disinfecting, and vivifying malarious air, it first became inseparable from Hindu houses in India as the protecting spirit of the family.
The strong aromatic scent of the leaves is very much like cloves.
Every good Hindu goes to his rest with a Basil leaf on his breast. This is his passport to Paradise.
Action : useful in Cystitis, Demulcent, Diuretic
Condiment : The leafy and flowering tops are used as food flavoring. Folkloric
Snake bites
Crush fresh plant and poultice the bitten wound. Gonorrhea, using a decoction of the roots and leaves of plants.
External contusions.
Used in baths for rheumatic pains.
Ringworm and other skin diseases.
For delayed menstruation, Seeds are used in treatment of several eye diseases.
Cough: expectorant properties.
Characteristics of essential oil from basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown in Australia. J. Agric. Food Chem. 44: 877-881.
Van Duong, Nguyen. 1993. Medicinal Plants of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Masada, Y. 1976. Analysis of Essential Oils by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY.
De Mena Guarero, M.G. 1994. Obtencion y Aprovechamiento de Extractos Vegetales de la Flora Salvadorea. Editorial Universitaria, Salvador.
McCorkle, C.M., E. Mathias, and T.W. Schillhorn van Veen, eds. 1996. Ethnoveterinary Research and Development. Intermediate Technology Pubs., London.
Takano, T. 1993. Effects of the ratios of K to Ca in the nutrient solution on the growth, nutrient uptake, essential oil content and composition of basil. Acta Hort. #331: 129-135.
"These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."
