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
Don’t Throw Away Banana Peels! They Have Some Great Uses
Before you throw throw away the next banana peel into the trash can, read about the great ways it can be used.
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?
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.
This Guide Will Show You How to Heal Cavities
This guide will take you through seven ideal ways to care for your teeth.
Rice Water - 6 Unexpected but Super Helpful Uses
After reading this article, you will never throw away rice water again.
8 Herbs That Will Help You Cool Down This Summer
Alongside other health benefits, these herbs have natural cooling properties. This makes them the perfect addition to your food and drinks this summer!
The Way We Were - Shocking Ads from the 1950s
This series of advertisements from the 1950s is more than just your regular nostalgia. Look at these ads and be amazed with all the progress women have made!
Imitation Foods Aren’t All Bad – Here Are 6 Safe Options
Imitation foods aren’t always bad. Some of them are actually good, while some are avoidable.
Here Is the Secret For Making the Perfect Hamburger
This video is for those of you who are hamburger enthusiasts and want to learn everything there is to know about making a savory burger.
Keep Your Clothes Whiter with These 7 Tips
With these handy tips, you can make your whites last longer using simple household ingredients.
These 15 Charts Are Both Useful and Interesting!
The 15 charts cover topics like health, animals, and classical music, and they are full of useful information, perfect for a lifelong learner like you.
If You Have a Mouse Problem, This is How to Get Rid of It
If you have a mouse in your house there are many great (and humane) ways to get rid of it. Here are 6 of them.
Make Your Home Smell Amazing with These 2 Ingredients
You can make your home smell absolutely amazing by using just these two ingredients. This video will show you how to make your own air freshener.
I Never Imagined You Can Use Coca-Cola to Do These Things!
A bottle of Coca-Cola goes a loong way, it turns out! From tenderizing meat, to cleaning jewelry & repelling bugs, the magic drink can do it all!
Choose the Healthiest Breakfast Cereal With These Tips
Choose the healthiest breakfast cereal with these tips.
7 Sounds Your Cat Makes and What They Mean
This video will show you the 7 different sounds cats make and the purpose for each of them.
10 Tips to Washing Your Car the Right Way
Here are a few tips on how to effectively wash your car without damaging the paint or leaving marks.
9 Ingredients It's Best to Avoid When Grocery Shopping
Stay healthy by making sure that these 9 ingredients are not part of the food you buy.
WOW! Genius Foot Care Hacks That’ll Change Your Life
Take care of your feet with these simple and effective tips and hacks.
WATCH: 10 Microwave Tips You've Never Heard Of
These 10 tips will help you get the very best out of your microwave - replenish old food, keep it clean and simply master it!
Make Your Home Look Expensive With These Low-Cost Tips
Transform the look of your home with these low-cost tips and tricks.
16 Unique Uses For Coconut Oil Outside the Kitchen
There's more to coconut oil than its incredible health benefits. Here are 16 fantastic ways that it can be used outside the kitchen.
Step-by-step Guide for Removing Scratches from Wood
Use this handy guide to restore hardwood floors and wooden furniture to their former glory.
Who Needs a Professional Cleaner With These Tips?
These stubborn stains can easily be removed with a little guidance.
20 Great Kitchen Tips That'll Save You On Money and Effort!
Make your kitchen that much more efficient and less time consuming with these 20 great tips that might change your kitchen experience forever.
11 Superb Solutions to Turn an Old Looking Item into New
With these secrets, your old-looking items will look brand new once again!
9 Ingenious Q-Tip Hacks for Surprising Daily Uses
We bet you never thought cotton swabs could be so handy around the house!
If You Have Glasses, Here Are 12 Tips You Should Know...
Broken hinges, misplacement. These occurrences mean we sometimes need assistance in the vision department .These are 12 hacks to get by without spectacles.
26 Handy Tips That'll Fit Any Kitchen
These tips will make you a master of the kitchen, full of little secrets and shortcuts...
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!
15 Signs of Infidelity That Are Too Easy To Miss
Unsure of whether your partner is having an affair? These 15 tips will give you a clear indication.
How To Keep Your Bread Fresher For That Much Longer...
if you're wondering how to make your bread last longer, read the following article and learn about 5 different methods of doing just that!
14 Tips to Give Tired Old Furniture a New Lease On Life
Have you got a pieces of furniture or fixtures and fittings that are looking tired? Try these 14 tips to give them added longevity and a new lease of life.
Insecure In a Social Situation? Here Are A Few Tricks
How to avoid being influenced by others? Or make sure somebody likes you? This video offers tricks to handling nearly any difficult social situation.
We Bet You Don't Know Just How Useful Your Microwave Is
3 great additional uses for microwaves you never knew about.
Get Rid of Your Dog's Worms Using These 10 Home Remedies
At some point in their lives, most dogs will suffer from intestinal worms. Should this happen to your dog, here are 10 home remedies to help deworm them.
11 Natural Ingredients That'll Help You Get Rid of Odor
Suffer from unpleasant odors? Here's what to do about it.
Cucumbers Are Incredibly Versatile: 7 Ways to Use Them
Cucumbers may be nutritious, but they are incredibly versatile too! Here's how you can use cucumbers outside of your salad.
I've Used these Tips to Save Hundreds on My Groceries
Take a look at the following tips that I have used in recent months, to help me save hundreds of dollars on my groceries.
Seniors Living Alone Should Always Have These Items
Want to make life easier on your elderly loved one who lives alone? Check this list.
Guide: 10 Stunning Hairdos You Can Do Yourself at Home
These simple yet impressive hairstyles will leave you feeling confident and stylish for any occasion.
20 Ways to Use Lemons You Never Knew About
Lemons are so wonderful - have you ever tried any of these uses?
These 12 Colorful Fish Can Be Easily Kept In Your Home!
Whether you've always wanted to raise fish in your home aquarium or you already have one and you're looking for new varieties to add, this is the article for you!
Learn the Banana Tricks You Always Wanted to Know
You're Going to Love This Handy Banana Trick
Need a Quick Fix for Your Clothes? Keep These Tips in Mind..
Got a clothing mishap? Fix your clothes easily with these awesome tips.
A Clever Trick For Keeping Your Favorite Snacks Fresh
This video will show you a simple trick that will keep your very perishable snacks fresh.
You Definitely Should Try These Amazing Cleaning Hacks
If blotches and stains are putting an dampener on how the interior of your home looks, be sure to learn these 20 unusual but super neat hacks.