Sweet Basil

Sweet basil is a plant, which belongs to the family of lamiaceae, grows to an erect length of 50 to 80 centimeters, the leaves of which are oval-shaped, and have slightly-toothed edges. The flowers of sweet basil or common basil are either white or purple.

The compounds that can be extracted from this plant vary, but it has been determined through various experiments and researches that its dried leaves contain 0.20% to 1% of essential oils.

Sweet basil has been renowned throughout the philippines and in various parts of the world because of its medicinal and health benefits. It can be found all over the country, and have several uses.

Sweet basil's use is not only limited to medicinal purposes, rather, extracts of common basil can be found in cosmetics, and are mixed in liquors and fragrances as well. In the philippines, it is an option to alleviate pain caused by headaches, cramps, and even shortness of breath.

The same goes true for sprains, and the way to do this is to rub the oil or the extract of the sweet basil plant leaves, mixed with alcohol, to the ailing part of the body. Sweet basil also manifests anti-bacterial activities, in such a manner that intestinal worms are eradicated from the body when the ethanol extracts derived from it are taken in as a form of medication. There have also been clinical experiments showing that sweet basil extracts, especially its ethanol content, can be used as anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic and even shows promise for the protection of humans from radiation.

There are several ways to prepare the plant for medication, depending on the nature for which it is going to be used.

The amount of raw materials and extracts that are needed also vary depending on the use. When the sweet basil leaves are to be used to stimulate the body, it is recommended for the individual to permeate about twenty (20) sweet basil leaves with 200 grams of water, and three to four cups are supposed to be drank a day.

A combined weight of 40 grams basil leaves incorporated with 200 grams of water is to be used for gargling in order to remove cold sores. Health experts suggest that this be done three times every day, until the cold sores are gone.

Now, for people who are suffering from shortness of breath, they are suggested to drink one glass of boiled sweet basil leaves, consisting of twelve leaves mixed with one and a half liters of water, twice a day.

Sweet basil also helps regulate the women's menstrual cycle, and if one is interested in this, they are supposed to prepare a mixture of 100 grams of sweet basil leaves with a liter of water. It is recommended for people to drink four cups of this preparation several days before one's expected period.

As for its antibacterial purposes, ten grams of sweet basil leaves fused with 100 grams of water should be boiled and drank a glass per day, during early mornings or when the person still has an empty stomach. Lastly, for the aid that it effects for pains caused by rheumatism, simple headache and occasional sprains, one should grind a concoction of sweet basil, rosemary and ruta, in equal proportion.

It should be rubbed to the ailing or throbbing part for eight days, the application of which may be continuous day and night.

Clinopodion hortus. The greater or ordinary basil is cultivated in gardens, on account of its fragrant scent. It rises up with one upright stalk, branching forth on all sides, with two leaves at every joint, broad and round, yet pointed, of a pale green colour, a little snipped about the edges, and of a strong healthy scent. The flowers are small and white, of the same shape as those of the dead nettle; they stand on the upper parts of the branches in loose spikes. The wild basil is similar, but not so fine as that which is cultivated.

This plant is but little used, but it deserves to be. A decoction of the leaves is a good remedy for all obstructions. No plant has such efficacy in gently promoating menses, and the disorders caused by their obstruction. It may be used in infusion. It arrests vomiting, and allays nausea. The infusion of the seed is a remedy in gonorrhea and nephritic affections.