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EZ HERBS & the Austin School of Herbal Studies
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Teas Tinctures Herbal Skin Care Herbs for Women Salves, Powders & Creams | |||||||||||||||||||||
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BASILIt’s August in Central Texas and the herb that’s growing the biggest and best is Basil, Ocimum basilicum. I adore the sweet, tangy flavor of Basil and its’ so many delicious uses. My favorite summer sandwich is fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves, dribbled with a bit of olive oil on your favorite wheat bun. YUM!!!
Basil has also been known to help with digestive problems, headaches and coughs (James Duke, author of The Green Pharmacy likes to use it as an expectorant.) It is also used as an insect repellent, a remedy for headaches and for high blood pressure. In Central America, Basil is traditionally used to promote delayed menstruation, ease pain of difficult menstruation and to facilitate childbirth. I have helped new mothers use it after delivery, made as a steam and used as a vaginal steam bath. It definitely helps with any episiotomy incisions. Holy Basil has been used over the centuries to help ease the journey to the afterlife. So there are not only wonderfully culinary uses of Basil, but also good medicinal uses as well as spiritual and ceremonial ones.
Remember to plant your Basil seeds next spring and enjoy this delightful, easily grown herb that needs to be included in every summer garden.
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