Basil, also known as sweet basil, is a wonderful herb that has a wealth of uses in the kitchen - it is often used in Italian and Asian cuisine, making it a staple in countless recipes. And while it does add a uniquely delicious aroma and flavor to our food, it has other uses too. In fact, not only does basil have a number of medicinal properties (it can be used as an antibiotic, to balance blood sugar levels and reduce stress), it also has various skin and hair benefits as well.
Good to Know! Basil is a relatively easy herb to grow. Bear in mind that it is a delicate leaf, and prefers warm and sunny conditions. It is especially sensitive to frost. It may thrive better as an indoor herb, especially by a sunny kitchen windowsill.
So, let's take a look at what other things you can do with basil:
12 Alternative Uses for Basil
1. Use it to calm the stomach: Basil is thought to be especially beneficial for indigestion, and is known to alleviate feelings of fullness. Add 1/2 a teaspoon of dried or fresh basil leaves to a glass of water.
2. Use it to soothe a cough and a cold: Basil leaves may help alleviate a cough and a cold. Just chew on a couple of fresh leaves or make a calming tea of dried basil to help alleviate the symptoms.
3. Use it to alleviate a headache: A facial steam with dried basil leaves may help soothe a headache. To reap the benefits, add a tablespoon of dried basil leaves to 2 cups of boiling water in a large pot. Carefully lean over the pot, cover your head with a towel and breathe in the steam for 5 to 10 minutes. The headache should start to subside.
4. Use it to soothe stings and bites: For insect stings and bites, chew on a basil leaf and apply it to the bite to help relieve the pain and draw out the venom.
5. Use it to soothe an ear infection: The essential oil of basil contains antibacterial properties and may be used to help alleviate an ear infection.
6. Use it to keep blood sugar levels in check: While not thoroughly looked into, some studies indicate that Basil can help level out blood sugar if consumed regularly and drunk as a juice or tea.
7. Use it to calm nerves and reduce stress: Herbalists recommend adding 2 cups of strong basil leaf tea to a warm bath, to help reduce stress and facilitate relaxation.
8. Use it to improve skin tone: Sagging skin is a problem commonly observed in the cheeks, jowls and neck. To improve your skin tone, mix dried basil leaves with water and apply to the face with a cotton ball on a regular basis, especially before going to bed.
9. Use it to defy aging: To reap the benefits, apply a face mask made of fresh basil leaves and coconut oil, to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Coconut oil will make for an excellent base as it deeply hydrates skin cells, while basil's antioxidant activity helps ward off and even reverse free radical damage.
10. Use it to heal ringworm: This fungal infection is highly contagious. Get rid of it by crushing some basil leaves with a few drops of lemon juice, then apply it to infected areas.
11. Use it to prevent hair loss: Put an end to excessive hair loss with some fresh basil leaves. Crush a couple with a few drops of amla oil and massage the mixture into your scalp, leaving it on for a couple of minutes. When done, shampoo your hair.
12. Use it to control dandruff: Basil has incredible anti-fungal and antioxidant properties, and may therefore be used as an all-natural treatment for dandruff. Just crush lots of basil leaves and combine with some coconut oil (ideal for its hydrating properties) then massage into the scalp and shampoo after a couple of minutes.
Related Articles:
8 Amazing Health Benefits of Stinging Nettles
Fight off Seasonal Flu with These 30 Natural Herbs
Pickle Juice Is Incredibly Useful! Learn All About It Here...
Pickle juice can actually be very beneficial for your health, home, and even your garden. Learn more here.
What Are the Health Benefits of CBD Oil?
With more states legalizing marijuana, CBD oil is gaining popularity. But is it safe?
Hidden Features in Everyday Objects We Bet You Don’t Know
Do you know why toothbrushes have blue bristles? Or why notebooks have margins? Learn about the secret practical features of 30 everyday objects.
Guide: The Alternative Uses of 21 Common Food Products
This guide will give you the useful tips and helpful information you need to find alternative uses for most of your common food products. You'll be amazed at the surprising uses for some of these common food items.
How to Grow More Basil Than You Can Use in No Time
Why pay for herbs, such as basil, all the time if you can plenty for your cooking purposes at home?
8 Ways to Use Witch Hazel for Hair, Skin and Vein Swelling
Witch hazel can alleviate irritation and inflammation caused by many health conditions, such as dandruff, acne, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins. Learn more...
Quick Tip: Clean the Gunk Out of Your Kitchen Cupboards!
A quick tutorial that teaches how to clean your kitchen cupboards without damaging them.
If Only I Had Discovered these Cleaning Tips Sooner
10 not-so-obvious tips about cleaning that are both surprising, yet very effective.
20 Gardening Tips That'll Turn Your Thumb Green
This video will help you grow just about anything.
Orange Peels: Read Our Full Usage Guide!
I have at least 45 good reasons for you not to throw those orange peels away. They're really helpful and healthy in so many ways!
26 Handy Tips That'll Fit Any Kitchen
These tips will make you a master of the kitchen, full of little secrets and shortcuts...
Impress Your Friends and Family with These 12 Magic Tricks
Check out these 12 simple yet astonishing magic tricks that require nothing but a couple of packs of cards and some common household items.
Guide: How We Use Different Acids for Skin Treatments
Understanding how these acids work and their specific benefits will empower you to make informed decisions about your skincare routine.
Do You Know Why Wedding Rings Are Worn On the 4th Finger?
There's a specific reason why we all wear our wedding rings on our fourth fingers, and this informative video will explain the tradition behind it.
Feeling Drowsy After Lunch? Here’s How To Control It
Do you often find yourself feeling a little sleepy after lunch everyday? Then these tips might help you control that.
These Sleep Secrets Are Only Known to a Few...
What are the things that will help make your sleep better?
How Waking Up at 5.30am Will Change Your Life!
Find out how waking up at 5.30am will have a positive impact on your life.
Travel Through Time: History's Best & Worst Makeup Moments
Makeup tastes and trends have changed dramatically over the years, and this great video proves it...
How to Beat Knee Pain While Going Up and Down the Stairs
Knee hurts while climbing stairs? These tips might just help.
This is How You Keep Your Marriage Strong & Life-Long!
Here are 12 ways you can keep your marriage long-lasting, strong, full of love and support.
You Can Do So Much More With a Coke Than Just Drinking It!
Coca-Cola is one of the world's favorite sodas, however it can do a whole lot more than refresh you with its sweet taste. Here are 16 of its highly unusual uses
Here Are 10 Foods You Should Never Keep in the Pantry!
Are you the type of person who stores most of your food in the pantry? If so, you really must read this as there are foods that should never be stowed there!
Has There Ever Been a Substance As Useful As This?
Vinegar has so many different uses around the house! You should always have a bottle of it handy.
14 Fall Plants Perfect for Brightening Up Your Garden
These 14 perennial flowers can be enjoyed long after summer has ended, and just look at how beautiful they are! How will they look in your garden?
4000 Years of History in One Glorious Map
In one incredible map we see thousands of years of history.
15 Differences between Men and Women That Explain a Lot
Discover surprising biological differences between men and women, which can explain many things you thought about both sexes.
Grow Anything You Want With This Gardening Collection!
Enjoy our collection of seven gardening posts that'll cover everything you need to know to grow your own plants.
10 Reasons Why You Should Drink More Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea has an incredible amount of uses! Check out our top ten here.
Maximise Your Kitchen Space with These Clever Hacks
Use these clever ideas to turn your kitchen into a room that works for you, with easier access to everyday items and better utilization of space.
We All Have Aspirin - And Here Are 9 Things to Use It For
Aspirin is about as pedestrian a pill as you can think of - or so you might think! In reality it has loads of surprising uses. Here are 9 of the best.
This Ice Cube Hack Will Keep Your Burger Juicy
Check out these essential tips to ensure a juicy burger.
What Happens to Your Breasts When You Don't Wear a Bra
What happens when you don't wear a bra? Here are 8 health benefits of not wearing a bra you may not know about.
14 Genius Cooking Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner!
Try these awesome cooking hacks today to make your life easier.
12 Common Cooking Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Cooking can be fun or a headache, it all depends on how we work in the kitchen. Learn the12 mistakes most of us make while cooking and how to fix them.
These Tips Will Help You Keep Your Car In Order
These hacks will help you get shinier headlights, organize your interior, and provide a nifty hack to help you remove a small car dent and lots more.
Here Are the Safety Precautions You Need to Take This Xmas
Christmas can be ruined by not paying enough attention to safety, but this guide will bring your attention to all the things you need to be aware of.
How to Start a Garden on a Windowsill
No green thumb is needed for this simple gardening project.
The Smart Weight-Loss Tips No One Ever Told You
These simple daily changes can bring an avalanche of goodness to your body. I'm sure you've never heard at least half of these tips, but each and every one of them will have a small and meaningful effect on your weight loss.
Tired of Feeling Angry? Use the Following Pressure Points
Learn the pressure points that help relieve feelings of frustration, anger, and worry.
9 Ingenious Q-Tip Hacks for Surprising Daily Uses
We bet you never thought cotton swabs could be so handy around the house!
25 Ways to Keep Your Garden Healthy and Thriving
We've collected some great tips for maintaining a healthy garden that will help you every day.
Learn This Amazing Two-Step Fix For Scratched Furniture
You can give your scratched furniture a whole new lease of life by learning this super-easy two-step solution. Take a look.
Never Put Your Phone in These 8 Common Places!
If you care about your cell phone and your health, then make sure you never leave your device in any of these places.
Tutorial: How to Grow Roses Using the Stem Cuttings
This tutorial is only a few minutes long, but it gives you a very simple, straight-forward and practical way of growing your own rose bush from stem cuttings.
5 Natural Solutions to Keep Unwanted Insects Away
These illustrations will show you how to reduce your pest problems in your garden.
Gordon Ramsay Teaches Us How to Cook the Perfect Steak!
One of the world's most famous chefs is going to show you how to cook a steak to utter, mouth-watering perfection.
Spend the Money on These Items and They'll Last a Lifetime
There are certain items that we shouldn't be afraid of spending a bit more on, and this is because paying for quality will ensure they last us a lifetime.