Everything Basil: What Else Do You Know About This Herb?

by Alesha Wilson
(Wilmington, NC)

Basil is best known as a culinary herb, originally from India and is prominently featured in Italian cuisines. It comes in many forms and most species come with strong, pungent, and sweet-smelling leaves, including a dwarf bush type with tiny leaves grown as ornamental plants. The herb is truly indispensable in the kitchen and nowadays in medicine cabinets and beauty dressers.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word basil? Often, it’s salad, pasta, sauces or dips. That is by tradition. Basil now closely associates many to beauty products and medicine.

The scent and antibacterial compounds present in basil renders the herb essential to cleansing and stress relief. The oil by-product is proven to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Additionally, you will find the vitamin A and K content beneficial to a healthy skin and flavonoids to provide protection against bacterial growth. Formulation with other essential oils makes an herbal remedy for mental, physical, and spiritual health as basil blooms to be a symbol of quality in health and beauty.

Basil extracts in shampoos increase scalp circulation vital for hair growth and re-growth and fresh scalp. It results in lustrous and strong hair. It moisturizes when used as facial mask or skin toner and deodorizes the skin when paired with lemon or lime. In aromatherapy, a basil oil massage calms down the mind and rejuvenates the body as it provides the soothing effects.

Plant basil in your yard now and benefit from your own creation of beauty and medicinal concoctions.

Alesha Wilson writes for RockwellNutrition.com - leading natural health supplement website.