- Region
- Africa
- Origin
- Africa and South Asia
Africa · Herb · № 8
Ocimum basilicum
Herb · Africa
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.
Safety notes
Use as food. Concentrated extracts or essential oils are not equivalent to culinary use.
Cautions by tradition (3)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Oil not in pregnancy.
- Herbs for viral infections: Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
- Natural skin and hair care: Always dilute essential oil; not during pregnancy.
Preparation
Use fresh leaves in sauces, salads, and soups.
Use in traditions
An aromatic food plant used widely in cooking; related species hold distinct cultural meanings.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Antidepressant, antiseptic, stimulates the adrenal cortex, anti-emetic, tonic, carminative, fever-reducing, expectorant.
Preparation and amount
5–10 drops of oil in the bath for nervous exhaustion, mental fatigue and low mood; 5 drops in 10 ml almond oil as a chest rub for asthma; fresh leaf on insect bites; tincture (with betony and skullcap) for nervous complaints; steam inhalation for colds; tea with motherwort right after childbirth.
Caution: Oil not in pregnancy.
Herbs for viral infections
Attributed effects
Antiviral (ursolic acid); especially for viral hepatitis; further for hair loss, fluid retention, kidney complaints, warts, worms; may lower blood pressure.
Preparation and amount
As a herb in food or as tea; do not take basil oil internally.
Caution: Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
Natural skin and hair care
Attributed effects
Fresh, spicy scent that opens the nose; in hair care used for oily hair and a flaky scalp.
Preparation and amount
Internal and external: basil oil in a bath oil for colds; the dried herb or the oil in shampoo and hair treatment (see the recipes).
Caution: Always dilute essential oil; not during pregnancy.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Calms moods, drives out evil, luck and prosperity, mends quarrels between lovers, prosperity, success, peace, protection, luck, purification, calm, love, trust, courage, discipline, marriage, mental powers.
Herbal magic and rituals
Attributed effects
In herbal magic associated with love, protecting the home and prosperity.
Preparation and amount
Holy basil (tulsi) is the sacred plant of Vishnu and Lakshmi in India, and many Hindu homes keep it on a raised stand of its own. In Italy a pot of basil on the balcony was a sign of love, and in Greece basil belongs to the church feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Attributed effects
For heartburn, stomach complaints and wind (in a digestive tea).
Preparation and amount
Culinary herb; digestive tea (peppermint, basil, dill seed); prosperity oil; gazpacho, tomato soup; edible flower.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)TinctureHerbal oil (oil infusion)Steam and bathPowder and kitchen