Fragrant basil is an edible herb with a green or purple hue, which has a pronounced spicy aroma and a refreshing aftertaste. Typically, this plant is used in cooking as a seasoning for various dishes or an ingredient in salads. However, it can also be used to treat many diseases, which has long been done in Asian countries.
Basil is not without reason translated from Greek as "His Majesty", and in India it is considered a sacred plant. Its unique chemical composition not only provides an amazing aroma and pleasant taste, but also helps in the fight against infectious diseases, colds, gastritis, bronchial asthma and colitis. It is recommended to use it for flatulence, intestinal colic, low blood pressure. Crushed fresh leaves can also be applied to wounds that are difficult to heal.
Hindus, for example, grow basil in the living room to disinfect the living space.
Benefits of basil in the fight against colds
Due to the high content of essential oils, this herb is excellent for colds. So, a decoction of basil lowers the temperature, makes breathing easier, relieves inflammation and nasal congestion. To prepare such a remedy, it is enough to pour a tablespoon of crushed basil with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for about half an hour, and then drink the solution throughout the day.
A solution of fragrant basil can also be used to gargle a sore throat.
It is possible to relieve inflammation of the upper respiratory tract with the help of inhalation with basil. To do this, pour boiling water into a saucepan, put a few sprigs of basil there and add a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil. Then breathe for 10-15 minutes over the prepared solution, covering your head with a towel.
Benefits of basil in the fight against cardiovascular disease
Basil essential oil contains camphor, which stimulates the heart and has a beneficial effect on the state of the nervous system. And vitamin PP, also present in this fragrant herb, strengthens the walls of blood vessels. To normalize cardiac activity, it is enough to drink 100 ml of a decoction of basil and lemon zest per day.
The use of basil in cooking
The fragrant aroma and pleasant salty taste allows using basil in vegetable salads, meat and fish dishes. It goes well with lamb, beef, poultry and offal. This plant can also be added to first courses, marinades or canned food.
And in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, fragrant basil is put in tea, dessert and even sour-milk drinks. Moreover, not only fragrant leaves are used for this, but also the root and seeds of basil. This fragrant herb goes well with other spices: rosemary, marjoram, thyme, mint and coriander.
