Basil contains small amounts of essential and volatile oils with medicinal effects. In Western Europe during the Middle Ages, it was called the devil’s herb and used to protect against witches, which paradoxically, in reality, were women with herbal knowledge.
Throughout history, the Greek Orthodox used the herb in their holy water, and in Greece, it is still common today to place it in front of the house for good luck. Mythologically, it is said that basil started growing around Jesus’ grave after his resurrection. In Crete, it was considered protection against the devil, so the plant is often placed on windowsills.
In traditional medicine, the herb’s essential oils have medicinal effects. It is widely used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for its antiseptic properties. Basil tea can be used to treat coughs and throat infections.
tv-helse.se, Basil has many unexpected health effects
