Basil is a common cooking herb, used largely in Italian dishes. There are few different varieties of basil. The type commonly used in cooking is sweet basil and the type most often used for medicinal purposes is bush basil. Bush basil, however, can also be used for cooking and has a very aromatic nature. It is quite easy to tell the two types apart because bush basil is much shorter and bushier then sweet basil.
Basil is native to India, but it can be grown almost anywhere. It is often able to survive winter and is a perennial plant that will come back year after year once it is established in a garden. Basil is common in herb gardens because of its pleasing fragrance. Basil can be used fresh or dried fro medicinal purposes.
Basil is used for its fever reducing, antispasmodic, analgesic, fungicidal and anti inflammatory properties. It is used to help lower blood sugar, treat ulcers and lower blood pressure. It is also used as a cold remedy and to relieve pain and congestion. Topically, basil is used to treat skin irritation and infections. Basil has been used also to treat headaches and help ease nervous disorders. It is also thought that basil can heal warts and take the infection out of a wound.
Basil is used of many purposes today. It's use in cooking, though, often over shadows its medicinal abilities. Many people grow the herb, but do not even realize the many health benefits it holds. Basil has so much to offer that it is worth getting to know more about every use it has to offer. You should also consider adding some plants into your garden so you can take full advantage of all this wonderful herb has to offer.