Basil is one of the herbs that can be easily overlooked when you are talking about herbs for medicine or herbs for health of any kind. In fact, most people consider basil to be a cooking herb or diffused in an oil mixture for aroma. The truth is, there are several benefits to using basil in your natural medicine recipes. Here are a few of those benefits and information on each.
Pain Reduction
Pain reduction is one of the leading reasons that people use basil. Basil can help with tension headaches, minor aches and pains, and muscle aches. The ideal way to do this is by infusing oils and lotions with fresh basil and applying the mixture topically. You can also infuse oil and use basil oil directly on the area. Though it can be used in tea, it will likely not be a flavor you would enjoy. If topically is not an option, consider using dehydrated basil in capsules.
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation can happen to anyone, and it can cause a multitude of problems. For example, inflammation can increase headaches, joint problems, and tension throughout the body that can lead to anxiety. Basil can be taken orally in either a tea, food, or capsule form to help reduce inflammation. This can be done daily, several times a day, or as needed. You can even mix basil with various other herbs that help fight inflammation, like turmeric.
Immune Boosting Properties
Keeping your immune system at its top levels, especially throughout the cold and flu season is vital. This is especially true if you have small children or a demanding job where getting sick is not an option. You can add basil to your daily juice or smoothie to help keep your immune system boosted. This is one of the easiest ways to get your daily immune boost, especially if your juice or smoothie is already fortified with orange juice or other fruit juices with a high level of immune boosting vitamins.
Keep in mind, basil is like many other herbs used for medicine. It can be found in various forms but fresh and as a tea are two of the best. You can also infuse oils for digesting or dehydrate fresh basil to have on hand when you need it. Just remember to store it in a cool dry place in an airtight container.
