In botany, basil is known as Ocimum basilicum, where Ocimum is a derivative of the Greek word meaning "perfume", while basilicum is related to the Greek basilikos which means "royal".
We can all agree that it would not have been possible to find a better name for this aromatic plant from our gardens: elegant in its simplicity and in its intense fragrance that recalls summer.
The basil is, in fact, of excellence the aromatic herb of the summer. Enter the kitchen to flavor fresh tomato sauces, to make a base of the tasty Ligurian pesto, to give a typical aroma to zucchini and other vegetables, but the basil is not content with just flavoring our dishes.
In natural medicine basil has a stimulating and beneficial effect on the nervous, circulatory and muscular systems and is therefore a relief in states of agitation and insomnia.
It has an excellent action on the digestive system, in fact, thanks to its digestive and antifermentative properties it is advisable for those who have a difficult digestion, especially if accompanied by gas accumulation in the intestine and in the stomach.
In addition to being an antispasmodic, it is beneficial in case of gastric acidity . To this end it may be useful to prepare an infusion with a small teaspoon of leaves or flowering tops, either fresh or dried, in 100 ml of water to be taken if necessary after meals.
Basil contains an essential oil rich in certain substances such as cavicolo, cineol, linalool and pinene, which gives it, together with the known aromatic and digestive properties, mild antiseptic properties and the ability to mitigate stomach cramps.
Keep in mind that, for external use, with the infusion of basil you can make compresses to decongest swollen eyelids and to attenuate dark circles. In fact, there are many basil based eye creams and gels on the market that are excellent for helping to eliminate water retention, which is the cause of unsightly eye bags .
