Ocimum sanctum – Holy Basil has been given the status of the Tulsi plant in India. At the same time, its medicinal importance is revealed in Indian Ayurveda. It has been used in Ayurveda for centuries for the treatment of physical and mental problems. In addition, Holy basil benefits in many ways like, cure a common cold, cough, indigestion, allergy and lung infections etc.
Holy Basil
Holiest plant basil worshipping in India from ancient times. Mainly two types of basil plant India established the connection to spirituality. One form of basil plant identified by the name of Lord Krishna is called Krishna Tulsi. It has purple colour leaves with green sheds and the second one is called Rama Tulsi which has fine light green colour leaves. Also, Krishna Tulsi is known for its hot potency, mostly use in the winter season and Rama Tulsi has cooling effect properties which are suitable for use in the summer seasons.
Sweet Basil
Italian basil is the commonly known name of Sweet basil and it is mostly found in the Mediterranean area. Also, It is mainly used in Italian cuisine in varieties of Pasta, Pizza, Sauces and Soups. These leaves also have various medicinal properties like holy basil leaves which keep you fresh and healthy. It is proposed to get relief from fungal infection, pain headache and stomach parasites.
This type of Sweet Basil Leaves is quite expensive and 20-25 gm of these leaves will cost around 50 cents. The basil leaves have a very strong aroma and the taste is close to the endnote of mint leaves. The endnote of its taste is also close to betel leaves.
Hence people often keep a dried form of these leaves in the kitchen counter available in this kind of bottle. Tulsi and Sweet Basil both plants belong to the Ocimum family and that family has around 50-150 plants in the family.
Holy Basil vs Sweet Basil
1. Holy basil is a medicinal plant while sweet basil is a culinary plant.
2. Holy basil can bear more heat from direct sunlight than Sweet basil.
3. It is said that Holy basil leaves shouldn’t be chewing through teeth but swallowing and Sweet basil can directly eat.
4. Holy basil has a strong sharp taste and smells while Sweet basil is a little sweet with less smell.
5. Sweet basil is a faster-growing plant especially in the monsoon season but Holy basil is slower in comparison
Medicinal properties of holy basil leaves
Its leaves are mainly used for making basil tea. Basil leaves are mainly found to have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. At the same time, Holy basil benefits in controlling blood pressure, diabetes and keeps the heart healthy. Holy Basil Leaves is also found to have anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, anti-diarrheal and anti-allergic properties. In addition, it also contains nutrients like Vitamin-A, Vitamin-C, Calcium and Phosphorus.
Health benefits of holy basil tea
Holy basil benefits in respiratory problems
The use of basil tea can relieve many problems associated with the respiratory system. According to scientific research published on the website of NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), basil can help to dilute the mucus and expel it. Also, allergies can work effectively on cough caused by bronchitis, asthma and eosinophilic lung disease (lung disease). According to this research, basil extract can improve breathing function by increasing lung function in patients with asthma.
Holy basil leaves helpful in stress
If someone has more stress problems, drinking basil tea can be beneficial for them. According to medical research, basil leaves have anti-stress effects, which can reduce stress. After getting rid of stress, it is easy to do any work with concentration and the mood is also good.
For mouth and teeth
The benefits of drinking basil leaf tea can also be seen for oral health. Actually, research related to this topic mentions mouthwash prepared from herbal ingredients, which are like antiplaque (removing plaque), anti-gingivitis (reducing gingivitis) and antibacterial (destroying bacteria) could work. Holy basil leaves have also been used in this mouthwash. At the same time, research has separately mentioned the antibacterial effect of basil. On this basis, it can be said that the benefits mentioned can be obtained by using basil as a tea. At the moment, further research is still needed on this topic.
Basil tea to reduce blood pressure
Consuming basil tea can help in controlling rising blood pressure. According to scientific research related to this, there is a lot of potassium in basil. Potassium is counted among the main nutrients that lower blood pressure. At the same time, another scientific research has shown that basil has antihypertensive activity, which can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Holy basil benefits in Diabetes
Basil Leaves tea can also help relieve diabetes. According to scientific research published on the NCBI website, basil is found to have anti-diabetic activity, which can help reduce blood glucose and relieve the diabetes problem. On this basis, it can be said that the benefits of basil tea can also be available to patients with diabetes.
Beneficial for the digestive system
For those who have digestive problems, consuming basil tea can prove beneficial. Research related to this suggests that basil tea can be helpful in correcting digestive function as well as relieving gas, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach cramps, and vomiting. At the same time, another research reveals the laxative properties of basil, which can relieve constipation, making bowel movement easier. This can help the digestive system to function properly.
To keep away cold and cold
According to a scientific study, the consumption of tea made from basil leaves can help in the treatment of colds and colds. Its regular intake can also relieve cold and cold caused by changing seasons. This information is available on the NCBI website. At the same time, there is a need for further research regarding which quality of basil works behind its benefits.
For Good Sleep
Good sleep will occur only when the mind is completely calm. The Holy basil benefits are seen to calm the mind. According to scientific research published on the NCBI website, Basil has anti-stress, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant properties, which can promote good sleep.
For Arthritis
Arthritis patients have to face more joint pain and swelling problem. At the same time, there are more than 100 types of arthritis. Using basil to get relief from this can be effective. According to medical research published in this regard, basil has anti-arthritic (anti-inflammatory) and anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory) properties, which can provide relief in the condition of arthritis.
Beneficial in losing weight
For those who are troubled by the increasing weight, the consumption of basil tea can prove to be effective. Actually, many medicinal herbs and plants have been researched to reduce weight. basil was also included in these plants. Research suggests that basil may help reduce weight. Along with the consumption of basil tea, one should also exercise regularly. At the moment, further research is still needed on its functioning in reducing weight.
Basil for the skin
The benefits of drinking basil leaf tea can also be for the skin. Basil is considered effective medicine for skin health. It can also be used in serious diseases like leprosy including skin infections. In addition, the antioxidant properties found in basil may relieve the problem of free radicals, thereby slowing the effect of increasing age. On this basis, it can be said that the consumption and use of basil tea can prove beneficial for the skin. At the moment, further research is needed to find out its direct effects on the skin.
Holy basil benefits for hair
Basil can be used to strengthen hair and protect them from breakage. These effects of basil can be helpful in hair growth. For this, basil tea (boiled with basil leaves in water without adding other ingredients) can be cooled and used to wash hair. In such a situation, we can say that the benefits of basil leaf tea can also be for the hair.
Protect against cancer
Consumption of basil tea can be helpful in avoiding cancer. According to research conducted in this regard, basil has anti-cancer activity. Also, Anti-cancer activity acts to prevent cancer cells from growing, thereby preventing cancer risk. At the same time, readers keep in mind that basil tea is not a cure for cancer in any way. If someone is in the grip of cancer, it is necessary to get medical treatment as soon as possible.
Basil nutrition values
Uses of Fresh Basil – Basil Leaves Recipe
There are many uses of fresh basil which is a really good prompt to have for health.
How to prepare basil green tea
Basil tea can be made in many different ways. Know below some special ways to make it:
1. Basil Tea
Material:
Seven to eight fresh basil leaves
A cup of water
A quarter teaspoon of tea leaves
Sugar or honey as per taste
Method of making tea:
First of all, put water in a pan and place it on the stove.
When the water is hot, add the tea leaf and let it boil for some time.
Then add fresh basil leaves to it. Keep in mind that the basil leaves have to be washed before putting them in the tea.
Allow the tea to boil once after adding the basil leaves. Then turn off the stove gas.
Now filter the tea in a cup, and mix honey or sugar on top and dissolve it well with a spoon.
2. Lemon and basil Tea
Material :
Two spoons of finely chopped basil leaves
A cup of water
Half a lemon
A quarter teaspoon of tea leaves
Honey or sugar as per taste
Method of making tea:
First of all, pour tea leaves into the water and boil them.
After the water boils well, add basil leaves to it.
Now turn off the gas and squeeze the lemon into the tea.
After filtering the tea, take it out in a cup and mix honey or sugar on top.
Take, basil tea is ready.
3. Ginger-Basil Tea with Milk
Material :
Four to five basil leaves
Half inch ginger
A spoonful of tea leaves
Half cup milk
A cup of water
Sugar as required
Method of making tea:
First boil water, sugar and tea leaves in milk.
Now cut the ginger into small pieces or crush it and put it in the tea.
Add basil leaves after one or two minutes.
After boiling two or three times, turn off the gas and filter the tea in a cup and drain it.
Best time to drink basil green tea
By the way, basil tea can be consumed at any time. However, it would be better to consume it in the morning or evening. You can talk to a dietitian for more information related to the time of drinking it.
Basil side effects
Just as there can be benefits of drinking basil tea, in the same way, basil side effects also are there.
Basil tea has anti-diabetic properties, it can cause low blood sugar in normal blood sugar people when consumed in excess.
Basil leaves have anti-hypertensive properties. Therefore, its excessive intake can also cause low blood pressure in normal blood pressure people.
An element called benzene present in basil leaf extracts may exhibit ant fertility effects, which may increase the risk of sperm count decreasing in men when consumed in excess of tea made from basil leaves. At the moment, further research is still needed on this topic.
Basil also has blood-thinning properties. This is the reason why the blood can become excessively thin when consumed in excess. At the moment, further research is still needed on this topic.
Frequently asked questions?
Can you drink basil tea every day?
Yes, basil tea can be consumed in limited quantity daily.
Does basil contain antiviral?
Yes, basil has antiviral properties.
Is basil good for the immune system?
Yes, basil can enhance the immune system of the body, which can prevent many problems.
Does basil tea contain caffeine?
No, caffeine is not found in basil.
Is basil tea good for acid reflux?
Yes, basil tea can be good for acid reflux. At the moment, no scientific research is available to confirm this.
Can you drink basil tea in large quantities?
Excessive intake of anything is harmful. Similarly, excessive consumption of basil tea can damage health. In such a situation, it is better to consume moderate amounts of it. Also, the loss of this is explained in the above detail.
Does basil tea provide energy?
Yes, basil tea can provide energy to the body.