Basil or tulsi is regarded as the ‘Queen of herbs’ and indeed, it is ‘the incomparable one’, considering the health and beauty benefits that are associated with it. It contains purifying and antiseptic properties that heal any skin and health issue. Be it your pimples, acne, or blackheads, or dandruff and hair loss, basil does wonders. Below are some easy ways to use basil for healing:
ACNE
Mix crushed basil leaves with neem powder and lemon juice to make a face pack. Apply it on your face daily and wash off after 10 minutes. Use this mask 3 times a week to keep acne at bay. If you have sensitive skin, you can substitute lemon juice with aloe juice.
BLACKHEADS
Drizzle some water over freshly plucked basil leaves. Place one leaf on either side of the nose, leave it for 5 minutes, and remove it. Wash off with lukewarm water. Doing this regularly clears the blackheads.
EARACHE
To heal a minor ear ache, add a drop of basil essential oil to 3 drops of carrier oil and massage it around, over and behind your ear. Alternately, pour 2 drops of basil oil on a cotton swab and place it over your ear, but make sure it doesn’t get inside your ears.
Powdered basil leaves can be used with sesame seed oil as a natural tooth paste. Make a paste of it and use it to brush your teeth before you use your toothpaste. Its antiseptic nature can be used to heal various gum disorders such as pyorrhea and bleeding hum.
SKIN RASHES
Basil has anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties that make it a great healing agent for minor skin rashes. Boil basil leaves, once it cools down squeeze few drops of lemon to it and apply all over your face with a cotton ball. Rinse it off after 20 min with lukewarm water.
SCALP ACNE
Mix equal proportions of amla and basil powders. Prepare a paste with cool water and leave it overnight. Add little coconut oil to the paste and use it as a hair pack. This can also prevent premature greying of hair and fight dandruff.
DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS
Basil tea is great if you have digestive problems like indigestion or frequent acidity. Add in a handful of basil leaves or a teaspoon or two of basil powder along with ajwain powder in hot water; let it steep for 20 minutes and strain. Have this every morning on an empty stomach or an hour later after a heavy meal.