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Basil Herb - Uses And Side Effects

A spicy herb prized by cooks, basil belongs to the mint family. It comes from a plant called Ocimum basilicum (sweet or common basil) or O. sanctum (holy basil).

Common doses of Basil

Basil comes as a tea and as powdered or chopped leaves.

Some experts recommend the following dose :-

• 2.5 grams of fresh dried leaf powder taken daily. To make a tea, place 2.5 grams of fresh dried leaf powder in 1/2 cup water, strain, and drink once or twice daily as needed.

Why people use Basil herb

• As an antiseptic
• Inflammation
• High blood sugar
• Pain relief
• Stomach ulcers

Side effects of Basil

Call your health care practitioner if you experience dizziness, hunger, confusion, headache, trembling, heavy sweating, rapid pulse, and cold, sweaty skin (symptoms of low blood sugar).

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you're taking, especially.

• insulin
• oral drugs used to treat diabetes (don't use basil medicinally when taking these drugs).

Important points to remember

• Don't use basil for medicinal purposes if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
• If you have diabetes, use this herb only in the amounts typically found in foods.
• Avoid long-term medicinal use of basil.

What the research shows

Of the few human studies of basil's medicinal effects, one small study showed it significantly reduced blood sugar. This could make it useful in treating non-insulin-dependent diabetes. However, similar results must be duplicated in a large, controlled trial before medical experts can recommend the herb. Claims that basil is effective against other diseases remain unproven

Other names for Basil: -

Other names for Basil include common basil, garden basil, holy basil, and sweet basil.

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