MEDICINAL USE OF AFRICA BASIL (OCIMUM GRATISIUM) BY BABALAWO OBANIFA –Obanifa extreme Documentaries – Reformed Africa Ifa Spirituality – Plant cultivation and its medicinal uses series

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MEDICINAL USE OF AFRICA BASIL (OCIMUM GRATISIUM) BY BABALAWO OBANIFA –Obanifa extreme Documentaries – Reformed Africa Ifa Spirituality – Plant cultivation and its medicinal uses series.                             

                                       
In this current work Babalawo Obanifa will through the medium of this current documentary document effective methods that you can use to cultivate Efiri (Ocimum Gratissium ) either in your farm or home garden and  put you through different medicinal  uses of it.  Basil leaves is one of the common easily accessible medicinal plants around in this part of the world.  In Yoruba land basil is known as Efiri. In igbo it is known as Nchanwu, in Hausa language it is known as Daidoya though Basil is know by other name such Albahaca, Basilic, Basilic Commun, Basilic Grand, Basilic Grand Vert, Basilic Romain, Basilic aux Sauces, Basilici Herba, Basilici Herba, Common Basil, Garden Basil, Krishna Tulsi, Munjariki, Ocimum basilicum, St. Josephwort, Surasa, Sweet Basil, Vanatulasi, Varvara, Visva Tulsi..    This plant has both nutritional and medicinal uses which make it one of the most important plants you should cultivate in your garden.  It can be used as season for cooking.
What is Basil?

 The first definition of  Basil I will put forth here is the definition offer by  Wikipedia on this plant . According this source. Basil (/ˈbæzəl/,[1] also US: /ˈbeɪzəl/;[2] Ocimum basilicum), also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (mints).
Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia.[3] It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide. Depending on the species and cultivar, the leaves may taste somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent, often sweet smell.
There are many varieties of basil, as well as several related species or hybrids also called basil. The type used commonly as a flavor is typically called sweet basil (or Genovese basil), as opposed to Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora), lemon basil (O. × citriodorum), and holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum). While most common varieties of basil are treated as annuals, some are perennial in warm, tropical climates, including holy basil and a cultivar known as "African blue basil". (definition source from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Basil have also be equally define as any of several aromatic herbs belonging to the genus Ocimum, of the mint family: prized for its savory green leaves, sweet basil (O. basilicum) has more than 150 culinary cultivars, including the tiny-leafed bush basil , the large-leafed mammoth basil , and the purple-leafed dark opal basil .(Definition source , https://www.dictionary.com/browse/basil).
Basil Cultivation

Why Should I Grow Basil?
There’s nothing like clipping fresh basil leaves from your garden and running back into your kitchen to add it to whatever you’re cooking. The question should really be: “Why shouldn’t I grow basil?” Basil’s fresh, spicy, clove-scented flavor profile is a natural addition to so many cooking styles and cuisines.
Just one well-pruned plant will supply you with about a 1/2 cup’s worth of basil each week. Even if you’re limited on space, simply find a sunny windowsill, fill a container with well-drained soil, and you’re in business. Basil for months.
Certainly the most common cultivar of basil is sweet basil or Genovese basil, but other culinary options — such as Thai, lemon, globe, and cinnamon — are also readily available. One of the main differences between basil and other herbs is the fact that it is a tender annual. It is very sensitive to the cold, so plant it now! May is seriously the best time to start growing basil!

How to Plant Basil

  • Where: Basil is a wonderful addition to a container garden. It thrives in well-drained soil, positioned in a sunny window. In a larger garden, plant basil among your tomatoes. It’s a one-stop shop for your next caprese salad.
  • When: Basil is easy to sow from seed and is relatively quick to germinate. When planting from seed, plant seeds about six weeks before the last frost. Basil is super sensitive to the cold, so whether you are transplanting seedlings from indoors or have plants in the ground, watch the early spring temperatures and cover if necessary. If you are planting a cutting or transplanting a seedling or smaller plant, make sure the ground temperature is at least 70°F.
  • Propagation: In addition to sowing basil from seed, a cutting of basil will easily root when placed in water. Select a four-inch section of basil that has not yet flowered. Roots will form within a week. Transplant the basil directly into the garden or container once a healthy root system is apparent.
How to Cultivate Basil
  • Soil: Basil does its best in well-drained, moist soil with a neutral pH. I add a rich compost to the soil at the beginning of the season. Not much more soil amendment is necessary. In fact, if the soil is too rich, basil loses some of its flavor intensity.
  • Sun: Basil grows well in warm environments that receive about six hours of sun each day. I have a couple of basil plants growing in an area that receives only four hours of sun, but they aren’t as prolific as the others. My best basil plants actually grow in an east-facing area that doesn’t get the scorching, midday sun.
  • Water: Give basil water when the soil is dry to the touch, doing your best to water the plant at its base and not all over its leaves.
  • Spacing: Depending upon the variety, basil grows anywhere from 12 to 24 inches in height. Space basil plants 12 to 16 inches apart. If you’re limited on space or only grow in containers, consider spicy globe basil, which tends to form a small, mounding habit.
  • Companion planting: Plant basil among other herbs and vegetables with similar lighting and watering needs, like tomatoes or parsley. Some even say tomatoes taste better when they neighbor basil. Plant basil alongside chamomile, lettuce, peppers, and oregano. I even like to keep a few pots of basil on my back porch to deter mosquitoes.

How to Harvest Basil

Basil is a pick-as-you-go kind of herb. You may harvest only what you need, or if you have an abundance on hand, you may clip a mass harvest. Harvest basil as you would mint, snipping a stem just above the point where two large leaves meet. Regular clipping encourages a more rounded, less leggy plant.
It’s always better to harvest basil before the plant flowers. If you don’t have time to harvest any leaves, just pinch off the flowering portion. The flowers are actually edible, but if you pinch them off, the plant can now direct its energy on growing tasty leaves. Also be sure to only harvest up to 2/3 of the entire plant, so it can continue producing.
Medicinal Uses Of Basil as Sign as Explain by Yvette Brazier

Basil may provide health benefits in the diet, as herbal medicine, and as an essential oil.
Traditional uses include the treatment of snakebites, colds, and inflammation within nasal passages — a common effect of colds, for example.
Basil provides some macronutrients, such as calcium and vitamin K, as well as a range of antioxidants.
Sweet basil, for example, has a high concentration of the chemical agent eugenol. This gives it a clove-like scent. Lime and lemon basils have high concentrations of limonene, which give them a citrusy scent. Both eugenol and limonene have antioxidant properties.

Reducing oxidative stress

Antioxidants are essential for eliminating free radicals from the body.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that develop as a result of metabolism and other natural processes. They can also form as a result of smoking and some dietary choices.
Antioxidants are compounds that help remove these molecules from the body. If they build up instead, oxidative stress can occur, resulting in cell damage and, possibly, disease.
Scientists have linked cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and other health issues to oxidative stress.
The body produces some antioxidants, but it also needs to absorb some from the diet. Among the many antioxidants in basil are anthocyanins and beta carotene.
Which foods are good sources of antioxidants? Find out here.

Supporting liver health

A 2015 study in rats concluded that antioxidants in a powdered preparation that included tulsi, or holy basil, had a positive impact on liver health. The scientists applied the powder after using a toxin to induce liver injury.
Tulsi — a plant that is very different from the basil in the average Western supermarket — plays a role in Indian traditional medicine.

Fighting cancer

A review published in 2013 looked at whether tulsi, or holy basil, could prevent cancer.
The authors concluded that the phytochemicals in holy basil may help prevent certain types of skin, liver, oral, and lung cancers.
They appeared to do this by increasing antioxidant activity, changing gene expression, triggering cell death, and slowing cell division.
However, the studies in this review were preclinical or performed in animals. Confirming the effects will require further research.
Is there a link between cancer and the diet? Find out here.

Protecting against skin aging

According to research published in 2011, sweet basil has properties that might help protect the skin from some effects of aging.
In the study, the scientists applied a basil extract to laboratory models of skin. The results suggested that including basil extracts in topical skin creams might improve skin hydration and reduce roughness and wrinkling.
While extracts of basil at certain doses may have this effect, consuming basil will not necessarily benefit the skin.
However, the antioxidants in basil and other plant-based foods may have a protective effect if a person consumes them as part of a varied diet.

Reducing high blood sugar

Some practitioners of traditional medicine commonly recommend basil to help manage blood sugar levels.
A 2019 study in rats found that an extract of sweet basil leaves helped reduce high blood sugar levels. The results also suggested that basil leaves may help treat long-term effects of high blood sugar.
If further investigations confirm these findings, basil extracts could prove useful for people with diabetes.
Which foods are good for people with diabetes? Find out here.

Supporting cardiovascular health

A 2011 review reported on findings that a sweet basil extract briefly reduced high blood pressure, possibly due to the extract’s eugenol content. Eugenol can block calcium channels in the body, lowering high blood pressure.
However, 2 minutes after the researchers used the extract, the blood pressure returned to its high levels.
In another study, 24 healthy volunteers took either a placebo or a capsule containing 300 milligrams (mg) of a dried tulsi leaf extract once a day.
After 4 weeks, those who took the tulsi extract had lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides than those who did not. The authors concluded that the extract could help reduce some risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Find foods that may help lower blood pressure here.

Boosting mental health

Mental stress can trigger the production of free radicals in the body.
According to a 2014 review that looked at the role of tulsi in Ayurvedic medicine, the plant contains properties that may help:
  • alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression
  • increase the ability to think and reason
  • prevent age-related memory loss
  • improve stress-related sleep and sex issues
Some studies, the authors report, produced results comparable to those of diazepam and antidepressant drugs.
However, confirming these findings will require more research. Also, consuming tulsi — in a tea, for example — is unlikely to have the same effect as receiving a dosage of an extract.
How may the diet impact depression? Learn more.

Reducing inflammation and swelling

Oxidative stress can lead to inflammation, a factor in various diseases, including cancer, type 2 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
In 2017, researchers analyzed the anti-inflammatory properties of two preparations of sweet basil essential oil.
According to their results, basil oil may help treat various diseases that involve inflammation resulting from oxidative stress.
It is not clear whether eating basil, however, could have the same effect.
Which foods may help manage inflammation? Find out here.

Combatting infection

Various practitioners of traditional medicine have used basil as an antimicrobial agent, and some scientific research supports this use.
In 2013, researchers applied sweet basil oil to various strains of Escherichia coli , or E. coli. The bacteria came from people with respiratory, abdominal, urinary, or skin infections, as well as from hospital equipment. The results showed that the oil was active against these bacteria.
The researchers concluded that certain preparations of basil oil could help treat or prevent some types of infection.
Oregano is another herb that may have health benefits. Learn more here.

Nutrition

The table below shows some of the nutrients in 1 tablespoon of fresh basil weighing around 2.6 g, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
It also shows how much of each nutrient an adult needs, according to the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Keep in mind, however, that needs vary according to sex and age.
In this table, some nutrients are given in micrograms (mcg).
Nutrient
Amount in one 2.6-gram tablespoon of basil
Daily adult requirement
Calcium (mg)
4.6
1,000–1,300
Vitamin A (mcg, RAE)
6.9
700–900
Beta carotene (mcg)
81.7
No data
Beta cryptoxanthin (mcg)
1.2
No data
Lutein and zeaxanthin (mcg)
147.0
No data
Vitamin K (mcg)
10.8
75–120
Beyond these nutrients, basil contains various B vitamins, traces of iron and other minerals, and a range of additional antioxidants.

Tips for use

Basil is a fragrant herb with a distinctive flavor that many people enjoy. The various types have different flavors.
In cooking, sweet basil is the most popular variety in the U.S., but people also use lemon basil, clove basil, cinnamon basil, and other types.
A person could:
  • Sprinkle fresh, chopped basil over a pizza or into a wrap.
  • Arrange some basil leaves over slices of tomato and mozzarella, then drizzle the dish with olive oil.
  • Add basil to soups, tomato sauces, and stir-fries.
  • Make a marinade with basil, olive oil, and chopped garlic.
  • Add whole, chopped, or torn fresh leaves to a salad.
Or, try these recipes:

Risks

Some people should take care when eating basil.

Blood clotting

Just 1 tablespoon of basil provides 10.8 mcg of vitamin K, which plays a role in blood clotting. This amount is between 9% and 12% of an adult’s daily requirement.
High levels of vitamin K can affect the action of some drugs, including warfarin (Coumadin). Anyone who uses blood thinners should speak to a doctor before increasing their intake of basil.

Allergy

Some people have allergic reactions if they consume or otherwise come into contact with herbs in the mint family.
Anyone with this type of allergy should avoid basil and check premade foods to ensure that it is not an ingredient.
If an individual experiences hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing after eating basil, they should receive urgent medical attention.

Summary

Including basil in a varied and healthful diet may provide benefits.
However, research into the medicinal benefits of basil focuses mainly on extracts rather than adding the herb to the diet.
Also, many of the available studies have investigated the properties of holy basil, or tulsi, a different plant from that usually used in cooking.
Moreover, there is not currently enough scientific evidence to confirm many of these uses.
Basil oil and fresh and dried basil products are available in grocery stores and for purchase online.

Q:

Could basil benefit my health if I add it to my diet?

A:

Basil is an herb that has shown positive impacts on health. Using various herbs and spices can provide flavor to meals, and these ingredients often contain antioxidants, which fight free radicals.
People with high blood pressure should limit their sodium intake, and including more herbs, like basil, is a way to provide flavor to meals without adding salt.
Unless there is an allergy or a concern about blood clotting medications, basil can be a very safe and healthful herb to add to anyone’s diet.

Sources of the information presents in this work
1.Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia






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