Across the Mediterranean, people have been using basil medicinally for centuries, even thousands of years. Basil (also known as ocimum basilicum) originally comes from India but is perhaps best known in Italian cooking. Pesto, pizza, sauces… but basil is much more than a seasoning!
In the sixteenth century, basil was used as an antidepressant — herbalist John Gerard wrote that the herb “taketh away sorrowfulness.” Basil is still used in aromatherapy today to help ease negativity and mental fatigue. Use basil to help your mind stay sharp; the scent promotes circulation and can help you stay alert on a long drive or during a long day at work.
Because basil helps improve blood circulation, you may find it used in muscle rubs or blends for easing menstrual cramps. The scent of basil helps ease indigestion — the next time your stomach is upset, just head for the kitchen! Sniff some dried basil. The scent will stimulate your mouth to produce saliva and your stomach to produce more digestive juices.
The strong scent of basil can help ease congestion, and is a much milder scent than eucalyptus. If you can’t tolerate the strong smell of eucalyptus, try basil in your cold and flu care blends!
Folk wisdom says that basil can protect you against bad dreams. If your child is having nightmares or trouble sleeping, you may want to dry a few basil leaves and place them in a cloth or mesh bag. Slip the bag into your child’s pillowcase; the warmth from the sleeper will cause the leaves to release their scent all night long! Even if the scent of the basil doesn’t actually stop the bad dreams, the comfort of having some sort of “protection” may be enough to chase the dreams away anyway.
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