20 Magical Benefits Of Basil On General Health

Updated on January 20th, 2020
Holy Basil Benefits

Tulsi, or globally recognized as the Holy Basil, is revered worldwide for its potent health benefits. The Holy Basil belongs to the mint family and consists of three different variants native to the Indian subcontinent viz.

Ram Tulsi, VanaTulsi, and Krishna Tulsi. Holy Basil Benefits & this herb was popularly used in medicinal as well as a culinary herb in the ancient times.

Nutrition facts of Holy Basil

These are the nutritional value per 100 grams of basil-

Basil Calories 22
Proteins 3.2grams
Carbohydrate 2.7grams
Fat 0.6grams
Fiber 1.6 grams
Sodium 4 milligrams
Potassium 295 milligrams
Vitamin A 105%
Calcium 17%
Vitamin C 30%
Iron 17%
Magnesium 16%
Vitamin B6 10%

Holy Basil uses:

Holy basil or Tulsi is a potent antioxidant that is richly vested with antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This herb is used as a natural remedy for a wide variety of ailments from bronchial disorders and fevers to digestive issues(1), inflammations and ulcers.

Holy Basil Tea Benefits:

A few benefits of holy basil tea include-

  • Strengthening of body immunity
  • Treatment of respiratory issues
  • Relief from stress and anxiety
  • Maintenance of oral health
  • Cure for headaches
  • Cure for arthritis
  • Assistance in weight loss and more.

What are the health benefits of holy basil essential oil?

Holy basil essential oil when dripped into a tablespoon of carrier oil makes for a marvelous oil mixture that is highly beneficial for hair growth, skin health, digestion, respiratory problems, ear infection, mouth ulcer, and stress.

Holy Basil Dosage:

A dosage of this herb depends on the user’s health conditions, age and other medical factors. There is no such fixed dosage but if you feel that the holy basil is adversely affecting your health then discontinue immediately.

20 Holy Basil Health Benefits

The most effectual holy basil benefits are elucidated below-

1. Holy Basil is Incredibly Beneficial for Cardiac Health:

Basil is rich in flavonoids which decreases the risk of clotting of platelets on the walls of arteries. This protects the cardiac health and lowers the probability of coronary heart diseases and cardiac attacks(2).

Basil aids in lowering of cholesterol level and protects the heart from succumbing to general ailments. Tulsi tea is rich in magnesium. This mineral aids in the prevention of cardiac diseases by ensuring healthy circulation of blood throughout the body.

It is magnesium that is highly effective in the prevention of deposition of cholesterol in blood vessels. This protects the individual from atherosclerosis. Regular consumption of tulsi tea helps to lower cholesterol naturally and prevent cardiac disorders.

2. Relief from Stress

Basil is a potent adaptogen. Its properties of immune-boosting and anti-inflammation can significantly lower the levels of stress. Holy basil for anxiety is beneficial as it controls the level of the stress hormone cortisol which helps to cut down on anxiety and stress.

Basil helps to increase physical energy and enhances concentration power. It addresses psychological, physical, metabolic and chemical stress and protects the body against the effects of chemical stress(3).

3. Fights against Cancer

Basil contains an essential component called eugenol which is highly anti-cancerous in nature. The phytochemicals contained in basil include my retenal, rosmarinic acid, apigenin, and luteolin can fight against cancer and destroy the cells afflicted with a tumor.

The extracts of basil are vested with radio-protective properties that decrease the procurement of cancerous enzymes. Basil can also reduce metastasis of cancer cells in the pancreas and significantly lower tumorigenicity and the risks of breast cancer.

4. Regulation of Blood Sugar

Regulation of Blood Sugar

Holy basil benefits by enhancing the secretion of insulin in the Islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. The herb can significantly decrease the spiked blood glucose levels under post-meal and fasting conditions and thereby safely regulate blood sugar.

Tulsi helps to enhance the rate of metabolism of the body, thus converting the excess sugar ingested into energy. This naturally lowers blood sugar level and helps to protect the body from hyperglycemia or diabetes.

5. Protection of the Liver

The extracts of holy basil are rich in hepatoprotective properties. It lowers sinusoidal congestion and swelling of the liver. Ingestion of basil in the form of supplements stabilizes the functionality of the liver.

6. Boosts Body Immunity

The holy basil has powerful immune-modulatory properties. It is used as a natural treatment of respiratory problems like asthma, lung infections, eosinophilic lung disease and bronchitis and other disorders that are rooted in weak body immunity.

Holy basil benefits by softening the hardened phlegm and helps in its expulsion with its expectorant properties. Tulsi is a traditional natural remedy for common cold and fever. Boil a few leaves of tulsi in a cup of water and sip the warm liquid to cure your cough and cold.

Holy Basil is known for its antifungal, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. It fortifies the immune system and protects the body from antigens and infections. Regular consumption of warm basil tea, especially during weather changes, can help to stay physically fit and healthy.

7. Fights against Arthritis

Fights against Arthritis

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of holy basil make it highly effective in curing aching joints, which is the major symptom of arthritis.

If you are suffering from painful arthritis, then regular consumption of a cup of hot tulsi tea twice or thrice a day will help to cure the inflammation of joints most effectively thus getting rid of the throbbing pain naturally.

holy basil benefits for general health

8. Maintenance of Oral Health

The antimicrobial properties of basil help to fight the bacteria and germs that work inside the mouth and attack the gums, roots, and enamel of the teeth. Tulsi helps to protect the mouth from dental disorders like pyorrhea, gum boils and mouth ulcers.

Regular consumption of tulsi tea keeps the mouth fresh and prevents staleness of breath. However, direct chewing of tulsi leaves can affect the fine enamel of teeth. So have a cup of tulsi tea to maintain proper dental health.

9. Prevention of Eye Disorders

Prevention of Eye Disorders

Our eyes are vulnerable to innumerable risks of fungal, bacterial and viral infections. Holy basil fights against these infections and is one of the major cures of conjunctivitis, a common eye disorder. Besides, basil is rich in anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that provide protection to the eyes against toxic free radicals and environmental pollution.

Basil is also known for preventing serious eye problems like macular degeneration and glaucoma and can be used as an effective natural treatment for cataracts and other vision impairment issues.

More Resources: Natural Home Remedies conjunctivitis

10. Improvement of Digestion

Tulsi tea is immensely beneficial for healthy digestion and proper absorption of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. Regular consumption of tulsi decoction improves digestion and helps in the smooth functioning of the liver.

11. Maintenance of Renal Health

Holy basil benefits are known for their detoxifying and diuretic properties. Regular consumption of basil promotes healthy renal functioning. It prevents the kidneys from excessive secretion of harmful components like uric acid and creatinine.

Tulsi tea aids in the dissolution of kidney stones. For patients who are suffering from kidney stones, can drink a cup of tulsi tea thrice daily to do away with the pain of kidney stones.

12. Protection of the Central Nervous System

Holy Basil is a highly effective natural remedy for nervous disorders like epilepsy, seizing fits, convulsions etc. It helps to soothe the central nervous system and improves the coordination of motor sensory nerves.

Thus regular consumption of tulsi tea helps in the maintenance of body coordination and movement.

13. Cures Headaches

Cures Headaches

A Headache is an ailment that affects everyone these days owing to a deprivation of sleep, hectic schedules, and long hours at work, wrong food habits and the like. Stress is one of the major causes of painful headaches. Nothing beats fatigue, stress, and headaches arising from them, like a cup of hot tulsi tea.

The soft fragrance of tulsi naturally cures migraines and sinuses by aromatherapy. If you are suffering from a terrible headache then have a cup of hot tulsi tea sweetened with a tablespoon of honey to cure a headache instantly.

14. Cures High Fever

Several diseases like malaria, dengue, typhoid etc. are associated with burning fevers that worsen the physical condition of the patient. Tulsi is an amazing antibiotic that naturally cures high fever and accelerates the process of recovery.

The antibiotic and germicidal properties of Tulsi attack the microbes that cause fevers and thus eliminate the very cause of the disease.

15. Protection of Skin and Hair

Protection of Skin and Hair

Tulsi is rich in antioxidant properties that make it an amazing health tonic for skin and hair. The polyphenols contained in basil protect the skin from aging, wrinkles, and blemishes. The antifungal properties of tulsi cure itchiness and dryness of scalp and controls loss of hair.

16. Natural Treatment of Ear Infection

Basil is a miraculous natural remedy for an ear infection and earache.

  • Crush a handful of basil leaves and extract its juice.
  • Smear the affected ear with the juice but make sure that the juice does not permeate into the ear canal.
  • Mix a few drops of basil essential oil with a few drops of coconut oil.
  • Soak a swab of cotton in the oils and then gently apply the oily cotton ball inside your infected or aching ear.
  • Rub the area around the ear with the oils and do this twice a day on a daily basis to cure the infection in the ear.

17. Prevention of Acne

Holy basil purifies the blood with the removal of toxins. The antifungal and antibacterial properties of holy basil detoxify the blood and prevent the outgrowth of acne.

  • Crush a handful of tulsi leaves and mix the chopped leaves with sandalwood paste and rose water to make a fine paste.
  • Smear your face with the paste and leave it on for about 20 minutes.
  • Rinse the paste off with cool water.
  • Do this thrice a week to get rid of acne, blackheads, scars, and pimples.

18. Natural Treatment for Dandruff

Basil is rich in antifungal properties that fight against the harmful dandruff fungus quite effectively. Basil also possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that make it one of the best natural remedies of dandruff.

  • Take a handful of dry basil leaves and crush them into a fine powder.
  • Take 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a dish and add the powdered leaves to it.
  • Mix the oil and the powder to make a smooth paste.
  • Smear your flaky scalp with the paste and leave it on for an hour or so.
  • Rinse your hair with good quality shampoo after the paste gets dry.
  • Do this daily until dandruff disappears completely.

19. Curing Of Nausea

Curing Of Nausea

Holy basil leaf is extensively used to treat nausea naturally through aromatherapy.

  • Soak a clean cloth in basil essential oil and hold it to your nose.
  • The smell of it can drive out the symptoms of nausea.
  • You can even have a cup of warm basil tea for the same effect.

20. Aids in the Loss of Excess Body Weight

Basil works on the body metabolism which in turn helps in burning away of excess fat. The body metabolic rate gets boosted with the help of basil which aids in the shedding of excess body weight.

Drink a cup of basil tea twice a day, sweetened with honey and seasoned with cinnamon to lose considerable weight in a couple of months or so.

What are the side effects of using holy basil?

A few general holy basil side effects include risks of liver cancer because of long-term consumption of basil which exposes the liver to the derogatory effects of the chemical estragole contained in basil and possible interference with breastfeeding and pregnancy.

Apart from this, if you are scheduled for any surgery, then stay away from basil for at least a couple of weeks before and after the surgery.

[ Read: Benefits of Basil Seeds ]


FAQs

1. Can holy basil help you sleep?

Holy basil helps to lower the release of a stress hormone, cortisol, in the body. This induces a sense of calmness and helps to cure insomnia.

2. Can you eat fresh basil leaves?

Yes, fresh leaves can be crushed and chewed on to address a number of oral and respiratory ailments.

3. Are basil and bay leaves the same?

No, they are two entirely different leaves.

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