Basil (Ocinum basilicum)

Basil comes from India and is dedicated to Vishu, the god who preserves life.
It is regarded as the incarnation of his wife, Lakshmi, goddess of fortune and beauty. In Africa, people believed that eating the leaves of Basil would ease the pain of scorpion stings, while the Romans used the herb to counteract poisoning.

Nowadays the medicinal use of Basil (leaves and flowers) focuses mainly on the digestive and nervous system. Taken fresh as a culinary herb, or made into a tea, it can be used to

- relieve nausea and vomiting
- kill intestinal worms
- ease flatulence
- reduce anxiety
- improve sleep

Applied topically, crushed Basil leaves rubbed onto the skin act as an insect repellent, and the juice from the leaves can be used to relieve the itchiness from insect bits.

The pure essential oil of Basil is considered to be one of the finest remedies for the brain and nervous system. In Aromatherapy the oil is used for those

- in need of protection
- suffer from a debilitating illness
- nervous exhaustion

It is a warming oil that lifts the spirit, making it also an excellent remedy for depression and melancholy. Simply use 4 drops of the oil in a vaporizer throughout the day, or add it to your bath.

Caution: The essential oil is contra-indicated in pregnancy.