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Traditional Home Remedies:
Basil
by Anjan K. Nath, Ph.D.
A curious sight in India during the 19th Century was that
many Englishmen had adopted the use of a necklace made of the
wood of the Basil plant like the ones worn by Hindu holymen.
This was not to claim affinity to those over whom they ruled,
but rather for more practical reasons for it was scientifically
determined and proved that basil provides immunity to electrical
impulses and hence acts as preventive to thunder-bolts
(lightning). The plant itself is full of electrical energy and
hence aids in stimulating blood-circulation. It is said that if
one wears the stalk of the basil around the waist, the wearer
will be free from afflictions of the waist, liver, spleen, and
the generative organs. Because of this property, the basil-stalk
necklaces are worn around the neck, hands, and over the heart;
and, therefore, it is not surprising that the practice was
adopted by the English.
Culpeper, the English physician of old makes a few
interesting observations: “This is the herb which all authors
are together about, and rail at one another (like lawyers).
Galen and Dioscorides hold it not fitting to be taken inwardly;
and Chrysippus rails at it with downright Billingsgate rhetoric;
Pliny and the Arabian physicians defend it” (Complete Herbal
15). He further adds: ...it was an herb of Mars, and under the
scorpion, and perhaps therefore called basilicon, and it is no
marvel if it carry a virulent quality with it. Being applied to
the place bitten by venomous beasts, or stung by a wasp or
hornet, it speedily draws the poison to it. Every like draws his
like. Mizaldus affirms, that being laid to rot in horse-dung, it
will breed venomous beasts. Hilarius, a French physician,
affirms upon his own knowledge, that an acquaintance of his, by
common smelling to it, had a scorpion bred in his brain.... To
conclude. It expelleth both birth and after-birth: and as it
helps the deficiency of Venus in one kind, so it spoils all her
actions in another. I dare write no more of it. (15) So much for
Culpeper.
In India, the basil (known as Tulsi or Vrinda) is widely used
and several myths have grown out of its use both, as a medicinal
herb and for religious purposes. The ancient treatises on
Ayurveda speak highly of this plant saying that its regular use
keeps palate, throat, teeth, gums, bronchus and lungs free of
infection. Most traditional Hindu homes grow the plant and
believe that an invisible oil permeates the atmosphere thus
keeping it clean and free of germs. Further, no snake or
scorpion will come near a basil plant and I have personally
verified that it also keeps mosquitoes at bay. It is no wonder
that the Hindus have accorded spiritual status to the plant and
revere it almost as a deity. In fact, the basil is considered to
be sacred by many and it is believed that this plant sprouted on
its own over the grave of Christ. Christians in Eastern Europe
still look upon the plant as a gift of Christ and on St. Basil’s
day, the womenfolk plant basil seedlings in their gardens with
the same fervor as a religious rite. Taking a cue from Christ’s
resurrection, some even plant basil over the graves of their
dear departed in the hope that it might revive the dead!
Uses of Basil
The uses of basil are many and varied. Most of its claims
have been verified scientifically, while others remain in the
borderline of scepticism and disbelief. The general uses for
which it is prescribed as a home remedy ranges from the common
cough and cold to blood-pressure symptoms and even paralysis and
hemiplegia. I give below some of the more common ailments and
their treatment with the use of basil alone or in combination
with other herbs.
References
Culpeper’s Complete Herbal, and English Physician. Leicester:
Magna Books, 1992.
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