Basil Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Albahaca, Basilic, Basilic Commun, Basilic Grand, Basilic Grand Vert, Basilic Romain, Basilic aux Sauces, Basilici Herba, Common Basil, Garden Basil, Krishna Tulsi, Munjariki, St. Josephwort, Surasa, Sweet Basil, Vanatulasi, Varvara, Visva Tulsi CAUTION: Please refer to separate listing for Holy Basil
Scientific Name
Ocimum Basilicum
Why Do People Use Basil?
Oral preparations of Ocimum basilicum (Basil), like basil powder, are used for treating kidney conditions, stomach spasms, to treat snakebites and insect bites and before and after childbirth to promote blood circulation. It is also used as an appetite stimulant, diuretic, anti-flatulent, gargle and mouth astringent, lactation stimulant and in maggot-infested nasal disease. Basil is also used to treat worms and warts and head colds.
In Foods Items - Basil is used as oleoresin or an oil at levels usually below 0.005%.
Is It Safe To Use?
Likely Safe - Oral usage of basil powder in amounts commonly found in food items appears to be safe. Basil has attained Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the United States. All the above ground parts can also be used orally for appropriate time periods (short-term).
Possibly Unsafe - Long term consumption of above ground parts of basil is thought to be unsafe most people. Reports also suggest that oral usage of basil oil should be avoided. Both the oil and above the ground parts contain estragole, which may be a mutagenic and hepatocarcinogeni.
Likely Safe Pregnancy and Lactation - Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid above ground parts as a spice.
How Effective Is Basil?
About the effectiveness of basil powder, the information available is limited and unreliable.
How Basil Works?
The most effective parts of Ocimum basilicum are the above ground plant parts. The basil plant is full of calcium, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and iron. In addition, it also includes constituents like methyl chavicol, linalool, methyl cinnamate, cineole and ocimene. The volatile oil of basil can have antagonistic activity on worms. The essential oil consists of up to 85% estragole (methyl chavicol), which can result in liver tumors in mice. There is another constituent called xanthomicrol, which can have antineoplastic and cytotoxic activities.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Basil?
Orally consumed basil powder can lead to hypoglycemia effects.
Caution - Long-term treatment of basil can be unsafe for many individuals.
How Basil Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Not known.
How Basil Interacts With Drugs?
No information available.
How Basil Interacts With Foods?
No data available.
How Basil Interacts With Lab Tests?
Unknown.
How Basil Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
No interaction found.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Basil?
ORAL Usually basil leaves are used for flatulence or distention. For this purpose, one cup of the fresh brewed tea is used 2 - 3 times every day between meals. Such tea is prepared by steeping 2 to 4 grams in 150 mL boiling water and stirred for 10 to 15 minutes.
To treat chronic flatulence, usual oral dose is 1 cup for up to three times every day between meals for eight days which should be stopped two week and then restart for another 8 days.
Comments
None.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
