Basil Leaves: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects By Dr. Smita Barode

Introduction:

Basil leaves are very common in India and are found in almost every Indian household. It has been used for cooking and religious purposes. Many people worship basil leaves every morning. Basil is regional/local to India and has been grown in India for over 5000 years. Basil was brought to England from India in the 1500s and to the USA in the early 1600s. Basil leaves are best grown in countries with warm climates like India, Madagascar, Pakistan, Haiti, Indonesia, Thailand, France, Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa.  The scientific name of basil is Ocimum basilicum L., which belongs to the family Lamiaceae. Ocimum originates from the ancient Greek word Okimon, which means smell. In Hindi and Bengali, basil leaves are called Babui Tulsi¹ Let us look at the health benefits of basil leaves. 

Nutritional Value:

Basil leaves may contain several bioactive compounds like essential oils, phenols, aldehydes, terpenes, alkaloids, glycosides, ascorbic acid, saponins, tannins and fatty acids.¹ Additionally, basil leaves contain the following constituents: 

• Energy: 23 kcal
• Water: 92.1 g
• Fat: 0.64 g
• Protein: 3.15 g
• Carbohydrate: 2.65 g
• Fibre: 1.6 g
• Sugars: 0.3 g
• Iron: 3.17 mg
• Sodium: 4 mg
• Potassium: 295 mg
• Magnesium: 64 mg
• Phosphorus: 56 mg
• Calcium: 177 mg
• Vitamin C: 18 mg
• Vitamin B1: 0.034 mg
• Vitamin B2: 0.076 mg
• Vitamin B3: 0.902 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.155 mg
• Vitamin B5: 0.209 mg
• Vitamin B9: 68 µg

Properties of Basil Leaves:

Basil leaves may possess the following properties: 

• It may protect against cancer 
• It may be antiviral 
• It may be antibacterial  
• It may be an antioxidant 
• It may relieve pain 
• It may reduce swelling 
• It protects against ulcers 
• It may lower blood sugar levels¹ 

Potential Uses of Basil Leaves for Overall Health:

Some of the potential uses of basil leaves are: 

1. Potential Use of Basil Leaves for Cancer 

Flavonoids like vicenin and orientin in basil leaves may help against cancer by defending the cells and chromosomes against radiation and oxidative damage. It may also remove cancer-causing substances like mutagens and carcinogens from the body. Basil leaves may act against cancers like fibrosarcoma, skin papilloma and certain types of oral cancers.¹ However, most of these studies are performed on animals. Therefore, you must get proper treatment instead of self-medicating. 

2. Potential Use of Basil Leaves for Diabetes

Basil leaves may have anti-diabetic properties. A study suggested that basil leaves may lower blood glucose levels and urine glucose levels. Basil may also reduce the risk of complications due to diabetes like retinopathy and cataract.¹ However, large-scale clinical trials are required to check the effect of basil leaves on diabetes. You must consult your doctor in case of high blood sugar levels. Don not self-medicate. 

3. Potential Use of Basil Leaves for Bacterial Infections

Basil leaves may contain several aromatic essential oils. Some aromatic compounds are linalool, eugenol, citral, and limonene. These compounds may act against bacterial infections by damaging bacterial cell walls and leading to the death of bacteria. Some aromatic compounds hinder the growth of certain bacteria.¹ However, further studies are required to evaluate the anti-bacterial action of basil leaves. You must consult your doctor if you suspect a bacterial infection. 

4. Potential Use of Basil Leaves to Reduce Swelling

In traditional methods, basil leaves may be used against swelling. Eugenol present in basil leaves may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory property of basil leaves. Eugenol may block the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX), an enzyme responsible for inflammation. Basil leaves may reduce inflammation by inhibiting the release of mediators (like nitric oxide) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (proteins responsible for cell-to-cell communication.¹ Further studies are required to evaluate the activity of basil leaves in reducing swelling. 

5. Potential Use of Basil Leaves to Boost the Immune System

A study conducted by Mukherjee et al. In 2005 showed that essential oil from basil leaves may improve cellular and humoral immunity. Cellular immunity does not involve the production of antibodies, whereas antibodies are produced in the case of humoral immunity. Basil leaves may help to enhance the immune system by producing antibodies and discharging mediators.¹ However, further studies are required to check if basil leaves can help to enhance immune function. 

6. Potential Use of Basil Leaves to Manage Stress

Basil leaves may help to manage stress. Basil leaves may have a good rejuvenating activity that may help the body to relax and reduce stress. It may also assist in improving memory. Basil leaves might manage stress due to their anti-hypoxic effect (ability to reduce stress due to oxidation in the body).¹ Further studies are required to check if basil leaves can help to manage stress. Therefore, you must consult a doctor if you feel too stressed instead of self-medicating. 

7. Potential Use of Basil Leaves for Arthritis

Fixed oils present in basil leaves may have anti-arthritic activity due to the ability to inhibit the substances that cause inflammation. A study on rats suggested basil leaves may help against arthritic conditions in rats.¹ However, more studies are required on humans to check if basil leaves can help in the case of arthritis. However, you must consult your doctor if you experience severe pain due to arthritis instead of self-medicating. 

8. Potential Use of Basil Leaves for Heart Health

Basil leaves may enhance heart health and may lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) (bad cholesterol that blocks the blood vessels). Basil leaves may also lower triglycerides, fat forms in the blood. LDL and triglycerides may be responsible for heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Basil leaves may also slow down platelet aggregation. Thus, basil leaves may reduce the risk of heart diseases like heart attack and stroke by lowering the levels of LDL and triglycerides.¹ However, large-scale studies are required to check the effect of basil leaves on the heart. You must immediately consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms of heart disease. 

Though some studies show the benefits of the herb in various conditions, these are insufficient, and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of the herb on human health. 

Antibacterial properties exist in basil. I suggest using basil leaves’ oils as it may help people suffering from skin, respiratory, urinary, and gastrointestinal infections to fight with germs.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

How to Use Basil Leaves?

• Basil leaves can be incorporated into various food items like condiments, sauces, stews, soups, vegetables, fish, and meat. 
• Basil can be blended with other herbs like oregano, garlic, mustard, parsley, rosemary, and thyme to add flavour to the dishes 
• Basil leaves can be a part of tea and cheese 
• Essential oils in basil can be used in various beverages and prepared foods.¹ 

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking basil leaves in large quantities or any herbal supplements. Likewise, do not discontinue or replace an ongoing modern medical treatment with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.

Eugenol, linalool, and citronellol are a few of the essential oils in basil that may aid to reduce inflammation in the body. From my perspective, these anti-inflammatory qualities may aid in reducing the likelihood of inflammatory diseases like gastrointestinal problems.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Side Effects of Basil Leaves:

Basil Leaf is a natural substance with no specific side effects when taken in normal quantities. However, if any side effects are noticed with its use, you must seek medical help immediately. You must consult your Ayurvedic physician, who has prescribed basil leaves. 

I recently read an article which described a study conducted in 2015 on rats. Antioxidants in a powdered formulation were found to have a favourable effect on liver function in rats. The powder was administered by the researchers after they injured the liver with poison. This indicates the potential of basil leaves in aiding liver diseases.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

Precautions to Take with Basil Leaves:

The following precautions must be taken before consuming basil leaves: 

• Basil leaves may contain a carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substance, estragole. Hence, basil leaves are unsafe for pregnant or lactating mothers and children.¹ 

You must consult your doctor before consuming basil leaves if you have ongoing treatment. 

Interaction with Other Drugs:

There are not enough studies on the interaction of basil leaves with other drugs. Further studies on the interaction of basil leaves are yet to be done. Therefore, you must consult your doctor before consuming basil leaves. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

References:

1) Al-Maskari MY, Hanif MA, Al-Maskri AY, Al-Adawi S. Basil: A natural source of antioxidants and nutraceuticals. natural Products and Their Active Compounds on Disease Prevention 2012 Aug (pp. 463-471). Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Available from: https://squ.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/basil-a-natural-source-of-antioxidants-and-neutraceuticals 

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