Basil

Basil is a plant whose parts that grow above ground are used to make medicine. Basil is used for stomach cramps, loss of appetite, flatulence, kidney disease, water retention, colds, warts and worm infections. It is also used to treat snake bites and insect bites. Women sometimes use basil before and after childbirth to stimulate blood circulation and induce milk flow. Some people use basil as a gargle solution. In food, basil is used as a spice.

How does basil work?

Basil contains many chemical compounds. These chemical compounds may help to remove worms from the digestive tract. Basil is also a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and iron.

How effective is basil?

There is not enough scientific data to say how effective basil is for the common cold, loss of appetite, flatulence, stomach cramps, kidney disorders, warts, worm infestations, snake bites and insect bites, and for stimulating blood circulation. Further scientific research is needed to assess the effectiveness of basil in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Basil is safe and harmless in the amounts used in food and appears to be safe in adults, even in medicinal doses, as long as ingestion is short term. In some people, basil can cause low blood sugar levels. Basil may not be safe and harmless if used over a long period of time. It contains estragole, a chemical that could increase the risk of liver cancer. Basil oil should not be used as it is not considered safe due to its estragole content.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Basil appears to be safe and safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women when used in food-grade amounts. Larger amounts may not be safe as basil contains estragole, which causes liver cancer in laboratory mice.

Children: Basil appears to be safe for children when used in amounts found in food. Larger amounts may not be safe because basil contains a chemical called estragole, which causes liver cancer in laboratory mice.

Interactions

There is currently no information on interactions of basil with medications or supplements.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of basil depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for basil. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.