Basil is one of the most commonly consumed and well-loved herbs in the world. Basil is not only a flavor booster for your dishes, but is also packed with some incredible health benefits, most of which are related to its powerful antioxidants and volatile oils. And did you know that you can actually use basil leaves to quit smoking? Pretty amazing, right? Here are some of the wonderful health benefits basil can give you.

BASIL HELPS REDUCE PAIN AND INFLAMMATION

Basil contains essential oils such as eugenol, citronellol, and linalool. These are enzyme-inhibiting oils that can help reduce inflammation.

BASIL CAN HELP FIGHT VIRUSES AND INFECTIONS

Basil's essential oils have been discovered to exhibit anti-microbial activity against a wide range of bacteria, yeasts, molds, and viruses (study). A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed that these oils may provide antimicrobial activity against various bacteria, yeast, and mold. (study)

Scientists have found that basil oil reduces the growth of a number of food-borne bacteria species including cholera and E. coli.

BASIL SUPPORTS RESPIRATORY HEALTH

Basil is often used in Ayurvedic medicine for its ability to thin mucus in the lungs and sinuses. It’s also a terrific expectorant. The oils in basil- eugenol, cineole, and camphene- are antibacterial and can cure lung infections. Basil is also believed to help stop or reverse damage caused to the lungs due to tuberculosis and smoking.

Basil’s efficacy against such a wide range of ailments is not only due to BCP, but also to the cinnamanic acid it contains. Cinnamanic acid is known to enhance circulation, stabilize blood sugar, and improve respiration.

Several studies have confirmed holy basil’s anti-inflammatory action. Its compounds inhibit the production of inflammatory prostaglandins—molecules that produce pain and fevers. By reducing prostaglandins, basil reduces pain and inflammation in the body.

BASIL LEAVES CAN REDUCE TOBACCO CRAVING

Did you know that most cigarettes in the U.S. today have 10 milligrams of nicotine and more than 4,000 other toxic chemicals? Nicotine is absorbed through the skin and mucosal lining of the nose and mouth, or in the lungs through inhalation. It can reach peak levels rapidly in both the brain and the bloodstream — It reaches the brain within 10 seconds of inhaling from a cigarette.

METHOD

Chewing basil leaves helps reduce the craving for tobacco usage and also it cures the problems caused by its usage earlier. Every morning and evening take about 2-3 basil leaves, chew, and eat them.

Reference:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23921795
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17922070
• Anyavien

SUPPORT

You can also learn more about health and nutrition by joining our group Lung, COPD and Health Examiner.

A great method of easing COPD, lung symptoms, and mucus build-up is by going through our Mullein Lung Detox Programme.