Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a very popular medicinal plant because it has several properties and benefits...

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This plant is a shrub that in optimal conditions can reach 1 meter high, has many aromatic leaves, where they can be lilac, white or red.

Of its origin it is known that since the old world it is used but nowadays it is easily available almost all over the world, especially in hot areas.

Basil is grown by seeds and cuttings, it is recommended that it is during the spring and can be planted in seedlings or pots. This plant likes the sun, so it should be between 15 and 25 ° C.

Although this plant is known for its medicinal benefits, basil is widely used in cooking, providing more flavor in pastas, salads, seasoning fish and meat, even in soup or simply to decorate dishes.

In the perfume and cosmetics industry, its oil is very useful.

Its components are:

each foliage contains 1% of an oil rich in eugenol, in addition to flavonoids (apigenin glycosides and leuteolin), organic acids (ascorbic, citric, oxalic) and finally ursolic acid as a major triperpenic acid.

Among the medicinal benefits of basil are the following:

It is effective against fever and cold. For this it is necessary to boil the leaves and if you like to accompany them with a little cardamom, let cool, strain and drink.

Relieves symptoms of asthma and cough.

One of the most used natural ingredients in homemade syrups is basil.
Helps to improve vision. This herb has a high content of vitamin D needed for eye care.

Helps to fight acne.

Basil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties favorable for the skin and stop acne.

It fights bad breath.

This plant fights several oral problems, such as bad breath and oral diseases.

Basil has contraindications in its oil that is rich in estragole, where some experts indicate that it is a potent carcinogen and genotoxic that affects mice and rats.

Since 2001 the Scientific Committee of the European Union recommended restricting the use of estragole. However, it has not yet been proven how much carcinogenicity and teratogenicity the human body can withstand.