Basil Health Benefits

Basil is most commonly thought of as flavoring for spaghetti sauce, Italian salad dressing or the main herb in pesto. Let’s take this herb beyond its uses as a flavoring for tomato sauces and think about basil health benefits!

Basil Health Benefits

The magnitude of basil’s healing endeavors are reflected in hundreds of therapeutic applications of this leafy green companion. The warming, aromatic constituents of basil help to calm the nervous system, settle the stomach, clear the mind and fight off coughs, colds, flu and allergies.

Basil is also known as the destroyer of phlegm. When you consider the number of ailments that are provoked by excess phlegm; from allergies to asthma to colds, you begin to understand the breadth of basil’s virtue. Eating more basil in the late summer and early fall helps fend off sinus and bronchial congestion during the winter. If you suffer from any sickness that is exasperated by phlegm, eat more basil!

Basil is antibacterial and antiviral, making it an effective remedy for the common cold and flu. If you are prone to bronchitis or chest colds, dry some of your basil, store it in a jar and make a basil tea a couple times a week as a preventive remedy.

Basil helps to calm the nervous system, settle the stomach, clear the mind and fight off coughs, colds, flu and allergies.

Store Basil For Later Use

To enjoy basil health benefits all year round, you can dry some of the bountiful summer harvest to use in winter sauces and dressings. I dry a lot of basil every year and add it to whatever gets cooked up in the crock pot during the cold months.

Another simple way to store your fresh basil is to put one cup of basil leaves and one and a half cups of olive oil in the blender and blend it until you have a nice paste. Freeze this paste in small containers and cook with it throughout the rest of the year.

Basil warms the body, clears out the bugs and sharpens the mind. In the middle of winter when you are feeling cold, dark, damp and depressed, break out your stash of dried basil or frozen basil pesto and let it infuse your day with a little warmth and summer sunshine.

Basil Tea Health Benefits

A cup of basil tea works wonders for almost any digestive complaint. Basil tea relieves stomach cramps and spasms, nausea, gas and constipation. That must be why it is a foundational ingredient in pasta dishes, so you can eat more pasta!

Basil doesn’t qualify for the world’s best tasting tea; but it is not so bad, especially when you find out what it can do for your stomach. Add a little honey to your basil tea and the next time you eat a heavy pasta meal, drink a cup. Wow, you don’t feel like just passing out after dinner. Hey, you can still think straight and actually feel like socializing with the people you dined with.

Basil Tea Recipe

A medicinal tea for better digestion

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon dried basil per one cup of water
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil per cup of water

Instructions

1. If you are using fresh basil, chop the tender leaves (not the lower woody parts) into ¼ inch sized pieces
2. If you are using dried basil, crush the basil just a little with a mortar and pestle or with your hands to release the plant oils
3. Place chopped or crushed basil and water into a pot with a lid on it. I use stainless steel Revere pots; glass and enamel pots also work well
4. Bring water and herbs to a boil and then immediately turn off the fire
5. Let basil steep for one hour
6. Using a metal strainer, remove the herbs from the tea and pour the tea into a teacup or pitcher
7. Drink warm or at room temperature

Notes

• The shelf life of this tea is about two days if kept covered in the refrigerator

One thing is for sure about basil, it is a versatile plant. From pesto to tea it has lots of health benefits, so eat and drink up!