Medicinal Value of Basil

As we all know, many plants, insects, etc. around us can be used as medicine inducers and have medicinal value. Common plants with medicinal value include honeysuckle, aloe vera, licorice, wolfberry, etc. Everyone knows that honeysuckle can clear away heat and detoxify, and aloe vera can enhance resistance and immunity. Licorice has the functions of nourishing the spleen and replenishing qi, clearing away heat and detoxifying, removing phlegm and relieving cough, relieving acute pain, and harmonizing various medicines.

I don't know if you have heard of basil. Basil is a small egg-shaped nut, about 2 mm long, with a stalk mark at the base. The surface is gray-brown to black, slightly shiny, and fine dots can be seen under a magnifying glass. Hard texture. The source of the medicinal material is the fruit of Basil and Ocimum basilicum, plants of the Lamiaceae family. Let’s look at the effects of basil.

The young stems and leaves of basil are fragrant and are used as an aromatic vegetable in salads and meat dishes. After being harvested in the flowering season, it is dried, powdered and stored and can be used as a flavoring at any time. When used as medicine, it can strengthen the stomach, promote digestion, act as a diuretic and cardiotonic, stimulate the uterus and promote childbirth. In addition, the seeds are called Guangmingzi in traditional Chinese medicine because they can treat eye pain after taking them. It is also used in China as a substitute for linden and magnolia and appears on the market. The essential oil extracted from the leaves is yellow-green in color and contains methyl hesperidinol, linalool, eucalyptol, etc. Basil is the tender stems and leaves of the Lamiaceae plant basil, also known as hairy basil and orchid fragrance. An annual herb, its tender stems and leaves can be used to prepare cold dishes, fried or made into soup. It is widely cultivated in Henan and Anhui provinces. Basil contains volatile oil, which is pungent and warm in nature. It has the effects of dispelling wind and promoting qi, eliminating dampness and digestion, activating blood circulation, and detoxifying. It is used to treat external headaches, food bloating and gas stagnation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, irregular menstruation, etc. "Jiayou Materia Medica" records that "it can regulate the stomach and help digestion, remove bad air, and eliminate water vapor, and it is best eaten raw." People with qi deficiency and dry blood should be careful when eating it. Brief description: Treats migraine, aids digestion and respiratory system, anti-spasmodic, sterilizes, promotes blood circulation, regulates oligomenorrhea. Anti-aging, acne treatment, and skin tightening effect. Refresh, improve functional disorders, stabilize mood and resist depression. But it may be irritating to sensitive skin.

It can be seen that the medicinal value of basil is still very obvious. Basil is also widely grown in Europe, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and North Africa. It is said that the Egyptians used it to prevent corpses from decaying, the Indians believed it could protect the soul, the Chinese used it to treat epilepsy, and it is also effective in reducing snake venom. However, basil is not suitable for everyone. It should not be used by people with sensitive skin or pregnant women.