- What is basil for
- How to consume
- Basil pesto sauce:
- Basil tea:
- Side effects and contraindications
- How to plant basil
Basil is a medicinal and aromatic plant also known as Broad-leaved Basil, Alfavaca, Basilicão, Amfádega and Herb-rea, widely used to make home remedies for thrush, cough and sore throat.
Its scientific name is Ocimum basilicum and can be purchased at health food stores, street markets and in some markets. Basil is a shrub that can reach 60 cm to 1 meter in height with numerous wide and very aromatic leaves, which are widely used in Italian cuisine. The plant has small flowers that can be lilac, white or red.
What is basil for
Basil is used for:
- Help in the treatment of cough, phlegm; Wounds; Stomach problems; Lack of appetite; Gases; Thrush; Sore throat; Hoarseness; Tonsillitis; Nausea; Wart; Constipation; Colic; Anxiety; Insomnia; Migraine and Insect bites.
The properties of basil include its antispasmodic, digestive, deworming, antibacterial, fungicidal, insecticidal, astringent, healing, febrifugal, stimulating, anti-emetic, anti-cough and anti-inflammatory properties.
How to consume
The used parts of the basil are its leaves and stems, for seasoning omelettes, meat stews, fish, chickens, salads, soups, fillings, as a main ingredient in typical Italian sauce, as well as in sweets and liqueurs. Basil combines perfectly with dishes that include tomatoes, olive oil, lemon, red meat, pasta and cheese.
Basil pesto sauce:
Beat the ingredients in a blender:
- 1 packet of fresh basil50g of almonds50g of parmesan2 tablespoons (soup) of a good oil1 ladle of hot waterSalt and pepper (to taste) Juice of half a lemon (or 1 whole, according to your preference) 1 clove of crushed garlic
Basil tea:
- Add 10 basil leaves in 1 cup of boiling water. Let it stand for 5 minutes, wait for it to warm, strain and drink afterwards.
Side effects and contraindications
Side effects of basil include allergic reactions, and it is contraindicated in high doses during pregnancy, in children under 12 years old and in lactating women.
How to plant basil
Basil likes full sun, and prefers fertile, well-drained soil that does not accumulate water, but needs regular watering. It can be planted in plant pots or well-fertilized soil and does not like cold and frosts, nor excessive heat, although it likes the sun. It does not stand up to many harvests, needing frequent replanting.
