Sunday, April 15, 2012

Herbs A-Z : Basil


Basil


Photo Credit.



AKA: St. Joseph's Wart, American Dittany, Witches Herb,
Planet: Mars
Gender: Masculine
Element : Fire

Mundane properties:

Basil is a great addition to most dishes! I personally use a pinch in almost everything I make.

Basil is used as a natural anti-infammatory.

It can also be used as a tonic to help aid in digestion. To do this simply make a tea out of it by steeping it in hot water. This can also be used to help with stomach cramps, vomiting, constipation, headaches, and anxiety. Although typically used in a tea basil can also be dried, then ground up and put into smaller capsuls. This way they can easily be used when you are out and about running errands or at work.

Mouth infections have known to clear up by simply chewing basil leaves twice daily.

It can be used with Insect Bites: A teaspoon of basil leaf juice taken every few hours prevents bugs from biting. However, in the event of a bug bite rub the bites with juice and this will relieve the itching and reduce swelling.


Random Interesting Information:
Originally from asia and middle east, Basil has been grown and used for over 5,000 years.

In certain countries many men will not eat basil, because it is often made into tea's that provide pain relief to women during menstration they believe it is something that real men shouldn't take.

Magical Properties :

In some Mediterannian countries Basil is sprinkled on the floors of homes to purify it. In the same way if sprinkled in each corner and room of the home it can also aid in the protection of a home.

It is believed that when moving to a new home a gift of a new potted basil plant will guarentee your good fourtune.

It is thought that basil can be used for attracting money. Sprinkle some in your wallet to attract wealth, tying basil with sage for luck wouldn't be a bad idea either. Gamblers have been known to keep basil and sage in their pockets when they head for the tables.

Basil is used both love magic, and love divination.
It can help to guarentee fidelity. To keep your partner faithful try sprinkling some basil in the bed near where the heart would lay. This will keep them true to you.
It is also said to be able to detect infidelity. To do this place a basil leaf in your partners hand, if it wilts right away, your partner has probably been stepping out.
In regards to divination – it is said that if you take two basil leaves, place them on a live coal. If the crackle and hiss your relationship will probably have some issues. However, if they burn to ash quickly, this is an indicator that your relationship will be harmonious and long lived.

When drawing a bath try adding some basil to aid in lifting of your spirit and soothing your soul. Try mixing it with lavender or lemon for a truly relaxing and replenishing of the mind and soul.



Warnings:

I have been told not to use basil for medicinal or aromatherapy uses if you are pregnant, it can bring on menstration cycles.

Do not give infusions of basil to children under ten as it can exceed a childs metabolism and mouthwashes can burn a childs mouth.

DISCLAIMER:
 I have no medical degrees, and am not a doctor. Consult a physician before ingesting somthing new that you are unfamiliar with. These are my personal findings only. I do not reccommend using them until you have consulted your physician.


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