Ocimum Basilicum

Ocimum Basilicum is native to tropical regions from  Central Africa to Southeast Asia. It is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae or Labiatae. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen in September.

Ocimum basilicum is a perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a fast rate.

Ocimum Basilicum is often associated with Italian and Thai cuisine. Its leaves and flowers - raw or cooked are used as a flavouring or as a spinach, they are used especially with tomato dishes, pasta sauces, beans, peppers and aubergines. An essential oil obtained from the plant is used as a food flavouring in mustards, sauces, vinegars, etc. The fibrous, pectin-rich gum from Ocimum Basilicum seeds could be a valuable ingredient in the food industry, as it’s flavorless and can help thicken and stabilize mixtures.

Ocimum basilicum seeds are used in drinks of summer times because of its capability to maintain the cooling effect of drink and keep your stomach cool and also maintain a fine digestive system. It contains zero percent calories, antibacterial, anti–spasmodic, antiviral, carminative and nervine.

Ocimum Basilicum also has many medicinal uses. It can be used medically by eating leaves, using in a tea (using fresh or dried leaves), as a poultice or as an essential oil.

Medicinal uses

• Ocimum Basilicum seeds make the drinks a bit chewy and add plenty of healthy fiber.
• Its seeds are rich in plant compounds, including flavonoids and other polyphenols. Flavonoids are antioxidants, meaning they protect your cells from damage by free radicals. These plant compounds also have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Moreover, higher flavonoid intake reduces heart disease risk.
• Ocimum Basilicum seeds may aid blood sugar control.
• Ocimum Basilicum seeds may improve cholesterol. Pectin may lower blood cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol absorption in your gut.
• It is good source of minerals. Ocimum Basilicum seeds could help you reach your daily needs of calcium and magnesium.
• Ocimum Basilicum seeds could be an important source of iron and calcium for people who don’t eat meat or dairy products.
• Cinnamanic, an acid contained in Ocimum Basilicum seeds, can help aid circulation, respiration and blood sugar levels.

Precautions

• When taken by mouth: Ocimum basilicum is possibly safe when used short-term. Taking it might cause nausea or diarrhea. There isn't enough reliable information available to know if it is safe to use long-term.
• When applied to the skin: Ocimum basilicum is possibly safe when used as a mouthwash, short-term. Pregnancy: Ocimum basilicum is possibly unsafe when taken during pregnancy or when trying to become pregnant. In animals, large doses of that seem to reduce the chance of getting pregnant or having a full-length pregnancy. It is not known if this happens in humans. Stay on the safe side and avoid using.
• Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Ocimum basilicum is safe to use during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
• Hypothyroidism: People with hypothyroidism have low levels of the thyroid hormone called thyroxine. Ocimum basilicum might lower thyroxine levels. In theory, this could worsen hypothyroidism.
• Surgery: Ocumum basilicum might slow blood clotting, so there is a concern that it could increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using it at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Basil extract might decrease blood pressure in some people. Taking basil extract along with medications used for lowering high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Do not take too much Ocimum basilicum if you are taking medications for high blood pressure. Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

The appropriate dose of Ocimum basilicum depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Ocimum basilicum. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important.