Sweet Basil as a Medicinal Herb

I am enjoying my currently itty bitty medicinal herbal garden. I’m planting both Chinese and Western medicinal herbs in an indoor garden and am showcasing each as they sprout or are prepared into their medicinal forms.

Today’s herb is the well-known Sweet Basil, Ocimum basilicum L., Herba Ocimi, and Jiu Ceng Ta, Lou Le (Mandarin).

Both the leaf and the seed are used medicinally. Basil has many beneficial and medicinal qualities.

Traditional Chinese Medicinal Benefits Include:

Warms the Lungs, Promotes Expectoration, Resolves Phlegm and Relieves Cough

Opens the Sinuses and Relieves Congestion.

Descends Lung Qi, Opens Chest and Relieves Wheezing.

Warms and Harmonizes Stomach, Promotes Digestion and Relieves Abdominal Pain, Settles Stomach and Stops Vomiting.

Also: Tonifies Reproductive Qi, Harmonizes Menstruation and Relieves Impotence

Restores the Nerves, Relieves Fatigue and Depression, Rescues Collapse and Revives Consciousness.

Clears Damp-Cold, Reduces Infection and Antidotes Poison, Repels Insects.

Basil certainly has quite the repertoire of health benefits!