Basil is an herb native to India, known and used since three millennia ago and which has enjoyed a rapid spread throughout the world. The Indians say that basil is the plant of Krishna and Vishnu, and they do not go to bed without a branch of basil placed on their chest, designed to take them sleep on heavenly realms. The Romans and later the Italians, considered basil as a grass of love and fertility, being celebrated with festivities and true rituals.
In almost all the Greeks and Orthodox Christian countries, the basil has almost the same meanings as in India, is considered a sacred plant. Holy water is made with basil, and also the holy water is spread with a bunch of basil, to drive away evil spirits and sanctify places. Also, the basil will find icons to attract divine protection on the house and its occupants. But beyond the spiritual and magical dimension, basil has a very important quality – that of healing, which I will talk about next.
Prepared Basil:
Basil Powder: It is produced by grinding with an electric coffee grinder until the basil has dried. A teaspoon of powder (about 1.5 grams) is held for several minutes under the tongue, then swallow with water. You can take on an empty stomach 3-4 times per day for beneficial actions.
Hot Infusion: It is used in natural therapy (although it has a wealth of combined active principles) for the antispasmodic effects, very important in treating disorders of the digestive and respiratory disorders (bronchitis, whooping cough, viral respiratory infections). It is made simply by scalding a teaspoon of flowering stems in a cup of boiling water, then leave a quarter of an hour to brew and filter. Drink as hot, so the antispasmodic and relaxing effects will be at maximum.
Combined Infusion: As the name suggests, combine cold extraction with hot infusion, helping to preserve the active principles. It is prepared as follows: 2-3 tablespoons of chopped basil leaves and flowers, let it soak in a half cup of water over night, when filtered, the soak is put aside, and scald the remained powder with another 1 cup of hot water for 20 minutes, then let it cool and filter, combining the two extracts. You to drink 3 cups per day with 15 minutes before meals.
Basil Tincture: Fill the jar with half a basil herb powder, filling the rest with alcohol of 50 degrees. Close the cap tightly and let it soak for eight days, after which the tincture is filtered through a gauze, and kept in dark and small bottles.
Volatile Oil: Volatile oil and ethereal oil are synonymous terms, essential oil or aromatic oil also the same. It is a preparation which is obtained only by industrial processes (by stripping steam) and can be found in herbal stores and pharmacies. Is used only oil that is specified as basil and can be used for internal use. It is administered, usually, by 3 drops dissolved in a teaspoon of honey or water, 2-4 times per day, in course of 5-14 days. For children between 8 and 12 years, the dose is halved, while those between 5 and 8 years, can take a single drop, twice daily.
Therapeutic Baths With Basil: Two handfuls of basil leaves to soak in a pot with 3-5 liters of warm water for 12 hours (from morning to evening), then filter. Put aside the maceration, and over the remained plant scald 250ml of water, leave it to infuse for 15 minutes, then filter it. Pour both preparations obtained in the bathtub, over hot water. Usually the bathrooms with basil lasts 20-30 minutes. Great for physical and mental tonic, helping the body fight infection and will especially get rid of diseases associated with cold or damp.
Diseases Prevented by Basil:
Food poisoning – a study done in 2004 shows that putting a single drop of essential oil of basil in one liter of drinking water that is consumed throughout the day, will provide shelter for many infection with bacteria taken from food. Especially during the summer, when some foods can produce toxic-infections, translated by symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Basil and seasoning of food is recommended, especially during the summer, because the volatile substances in basil keeps the food unchanged for a longer time and protect us from infections.
Internal Treatments:
– Intense psychological stress disorders, neurovegetative – courses are held every 20 days, during which we prepare a liter of basil infusion per day. Several observations made by doctors who administered basil to their patients with this type of disorder leads to the conclusion that this plant produces immunization distress. “The mechanisms by which body and psyche basil protects us from harmful effects of intense emotional stress are not yet known.” Some researchers argue that the active ingredients of basil helps in better cellular oxygenation, which allows the body and especially the central nervous system to adapt to stressful conditions. Clinical observations of other many experts however, suggests that in many patients, basil induce a state of optimism and confidence that can not be explained simply by oxygen.
– Chronic fatigue syndrome – mix 4 tablespoons of finely minced basil powder with 12 tablespoons of honey and four tablespoons of fresh pollen. It is administered in 4-6 tablespoons daily mixed in the course of ten days, followed by another five days of rest, and after can be resumed. It is a complex effective remedy, which fortifies the nervous system, has antidepressant action that helps relax and restore us pshycomental.
– Prolonged mental effort – drink one cup of combined basil infusion in a single dose. After administration, made a break for 5-10 minutes, then intellectual work can be resumed. Combined infusion of basil is a quick fix that improves cerebral circulation, encourages the maintenance of attention awake for long periods of time and ward off fatigue. Another effective remedy in this respect is by combining infusion of basil and mint (Mentha piperita), this can add an improved mental clarity.
Continue to the next page to read the full article: