BASIL

OCINUM BASILICUM

Basil is a native plant to Asia, an herbaceous well-branched bush that can reach up to 1 meter in height in good conditions. Basil leaves are petiolate, oval-lanceolate, and different in size according to the species. Their colour might be dark green or purple according to the species. Leaves are full of essential oils which convey the characteristic fragrance of this plant.
Basil is used for cooking for its very pleasant aroma but it has healthy properties as well: stimulating, exciting, antispasmoic, disinfectant. It also brings digestive benefits: it treats bad breath, migraines, stomach cramps and tiredness.
You can use basil as an infusion tea for helping digestion, preventing cold, flu, headache, nausea, stomach cramps, irritability, and depression. Gargles with basil tea alleviate sore throat. Basil is an effective skin toner when used in a bath. Basil distilled water is employed as a skin toner. Its fresh leaves help digestion; they have a soothing effect on skin irritations when used as a soothing mask.
In almost every country of the world basil is used for cooking thanks to the aroma of its leaves to flavour dishes.