Basil is an aromatic plant, which belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is considered native to India, although there are certain records from thousands of years ago in Iran and other areas of tropical Asia.
This plant is recognized for its particular aroma that is pleasant to the nose. It is an edible plant, which is usually cultivated as aromatic food for different meals.
It is also characterized by the budding of small white flowers, which indicate when the basil plant has reached maturity. In some countries, it is considered a poisonous plant, because of that it is used for spells, incantations and offerings.
What is it for?
It serves as food, to flavor different foods, to prepare certain perfumes, to reduce stress. It is also relaxing and a source of chlorophyll.
The use of basil has been related to alternative medicine treatments for thousands of years. Among all of those, it is believed to relieve fever and cold, as well as cough, stuffy nose, and sore throat.
It also serves as a food plant. In the kitchen area it serves as a great replacement for oregano in certain recipes. Basil is very rich in vitamins and minerals. It also serves to help reduce stress. Its leaves contain chlorophyll, this helps reduce bad body odors, especially those from the mouth. Due to its tannins, this plant is used in herbal medicine to help as a quick astringent in certain problems, such as painful menstruation, and mild stomach aches.
Dr. Samantha Robson ( CRN: 0510146-5) is a nutritionist and website content reviewer related to her area of expertise. With a postgraduate degree in Nutrition from The University of Arizona, she is a specialist in Sports Nutrition from Oxford University and is also a member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.