The use of essential oils for the general healing of man has been going on for several thousand years. These substances are part of many exclusive cosmetics, they are appreciated for the set of useful properties contained in them, simplicity and effectiveness of use.
Fragrant basil: characteristic
For many years, basil has been popular not only in the cooking process, but also in personal care. The plant is unpretentious by nature, everyone can grow it in their country house (or even on the balcony).
Basil essential oil is an affordable and proven remedy for severe headaches, it is used for ear pains and for pronounced allergic reactions. This oil helps to alleviate the general condition of the patient with sinusitis, rhinitis, asthma and emphysema. It helps to regain the ability to re-smell after a prolonged runny nose and is even used for problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Plant Origin History
Basil was widely used in ancient Egypt, it was used in rituals associated with the burial of people. In the Roman Empire, this plant was used as a medicine, and after the military campaigns of Alexander the Great, they learned about the benefits of this plant in Europe. This oil was part of the composition used in the anointing ceremony of the royal blood.
Basil was brought into the Russian Empire at the beginning of the 18th century. It was grown to add cooked dishes with a pleasant taste and aroma. Hence the second name of this herb is fragrant cornflower. However, for medicinal purposes in Russia this plant has not been used for a long time.
In India, the basil was considered a sacred plant, under the auspices of the god Vishnu. During religious rituals, it is customary to chew its shoots and leaves. Hindus believed in protection from evil forces with the help of basil and appreciated its healing properties.
How to get oil
Basil essential oil is obtained by the steam-water distillation method. The oil has a sweet, viscous aroma and a unique tart taste. In appearance, it is an oily liquid of dense consistency. By color - transparent, with a slight shade of yellowness.
Basil essential oil contains a high concentration of tannins, camphor, B vitamins and biological flavonoids.
The shelf life of such a product should not exceed five years, otherwise the oil will lose some of its useful qualities.
Healing properties of basil ester
The main properties of basil essential oil are antibacterial. It helps relieve inflammation, hold the body's defenses and normalizes body temperature. In addition, ether has sedative properties, helps to overcome anxiety and depression.
The use of basil essential oil at home is a good way to quickly restore peace of mind, relax and feel a surge of strength. And all this without taking medication with chemical components in the composition.
The use of oil for problems in the oral cavity
The analgesic properties of basil essential oil have been known since ancient times. If a child or adult has a toothache, it is necessary to apply a few drops of oil on sterile cotton wool and apply to the gum for 5-10 minutes. During this time, the patient will feel relief, and the ether will slightly relieve inflammation and prevent it from developing.
Basil essential oil is known to help relieve pain even with pulpitis and flux. Cotton compresses with oil will reduce the sensitivity in the oral cavity before visiting a surgeon.
It is useful to add 4 drops of ether to a glass of water and rinse your mouth before going to bed. Such actions will normalize the bacterial background in the oral cavity and strengthen the teeth and gums.
The use of basil oil for colds
The properties and use of basil essential oil for influenza and SARS are extensive.
With severe nasal congestion, ether is used in inhalation processes: in a container of hot water you need to add a couple of drops of basil oil and five drops of lemon ether.
You can add a few drops of basil oil to the aromatherapy locket. This helps beneficial volatile substances penetrate the nasal passages and significantly improves mood.
Reviews of basil essential oil indicate its effectiveness in rheumatism and sprains. If one of the household’s back is blown, the solution may be to mix a few drops of basil ether with any fatty oil - almond, sea buckthorn, grape seed oil. Such a mixture well removes inflammation, has a moderate warming and distracting effect.
The use of pure basil essential oil for the skin in its pure form is strictly not recommended. It can cause irritation or even burns.
The benefits of hair oil
This versatile oil can be an ally in the fight for luxurious hair. The most common use was the addition of 2-3 drops of ether to the shampoo. This is done as follows: a regular portion of detergent is squeezed into the palm, essential oil is added to it, then the process of washing the head goes as usual.
Applying essential oil of basil for hair, many women noted a decrease in the oiliness of the scalp, an increase in the density and density of the hair, and an overall improvement in the structure of the hair shaft.
The recipe for a nourishing hair mask: juice is squeezed out of the pulp of a pumpkin using a blender (from 250 g of pumpkin about 5 tablespoons of juice are obtained). One teaspoon of essential oils of basil, rosemary and wheat germ oil is added to the resulting liquid. The entire prepared mixture is carefully rubbed into the hair roots, and the residues are distributed along the entire length. Wrap your head with cling film or cover with a towel. Keep the mask on your head for at least half an hour, but no more than 45 minutes. The result from the use of such a natural mask will delight girls with the growth of new hair, an increase in volume and shine.
Another popular recipe: two egg yolks need to be thoroughly beaten with the flesh of one banana, add 5 drops of basil essential oil to the mixture, apply on the hair and skin for 30 minutes. The effect of such a procedure is life-filled curls that hold the styling well.
Hair masks using natural oils can be done on a regular basis, but not more often than 2 times a week.
Useful properties of ether for skin
Beauticians recommend using basil essential oil for the face. The recipe for a home mask is simple: you need to add a few drops of ether to white clay diluted with water. This procedure allows you to cleanse the skin, helps to narrow the pores and get rid of excess sebum. The result - fresh, toned skin. Owners of oily and combination skin can do this mask once a week, and for those with dry or sensitive skin - no more than once every three weeks.
Basil essential oil helps to tighten the oval of the face, restores skin elasticity and eliminates puffiness.
Consider a simple mask recipe for sagging, aging skin: mix 2 tablespoons of sour cream with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, add a teaspoon of honey and two drops of ether. The mixture must be kept on the face for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water. The result is fresh skin, radiant from the inside, a healthy glow and a complete absence of minor inflammations.
Remedy for skin inflammation
The ether will help in the fight against acne and small inflammations on the skin. A drop of oil is applied pointwise to the focus of inflammation, it has a drying effect and relieves redness.
Removing warts with the help of essential oil can be easily and painlessly. To do this, on each of them several times a day, it is necessary to apply basil oil in undiluted form. According to the reviews of those who used this recipe, warts disappear after 7-10 days, leaving a layer of healthy epidermis underneath.
To make homemade massage oil, you need to add 5 drops of basil ether to 20 ml of almond oil.
Contraindications to the use of oil
Ether of basil is forbidden to use by pregnant women in any trimester, the ban also applies to the period of breastfeeding.
Another important contraindication is increased blood coagulability, epilepsy at any stage and individual intolerance to the essential oil.
Before applying oil to the skin or hair, do not forget about a simple test: a drop of oil is applied to sensitive skin at the bend of the elbow. If after 15 minutes at the place where the oil comes into contact with the skin, redness, burning or swelling occurs, do not use ether.
Make butter at home
For the recipe you will need 2 liters of olive oil and 2 kg of fresh basil leaves. To create oil at home, you need:
Find a glass jar with a volume of at least 2 liters.
Place the leaves in it and fill them with oil.
Close the jar with a lid and put for a month in a room where sunlight does not penetrate.
After the expiration of the 30-day period, remove the leaves, squeeze them and discard.
Strain what is left in the bank through cheesecloth and pour into a clean container.
Store oil in the refrigerator. It is used for cosmetic purposes, for massage and for bruises, cuts and sprains.
About the benefits of aromatherapy
The fresh, grassy aroma of basil ether will help put your thoughts in order, get rid of obsessive ideas and recharge your batteries. After breathing air filled with tart aroma for 15-20 minutes, a person becomes more collected, because ether has a positive effect on cerebral circulation, and therefore on cognitive abilities and memory.
If one of the households has a sleep disorder, you can put two drops of oil on the pillow - a good sleep and a clear awakening are guaranteed.
There is conflicting opinion about whether basil essential oil has magical properties. This is true or fiction, but people who often use this broadcast note that the situation in the house becomes calmer, the quarrels subside and the level of anxiety decreases. Mages and psychics attribute to this plant powerful protective properties. It is believed that the broadcast protects households from envious people, unkind guests and manifestations of aggression against them.
There is a theory about the beneficial effects of basil essential oil on reproductive function - it increases libido in women and promotes a prolonged erection in men. All that is required to activate these unique properties is to drip a little ether in a saucer of water and leave it in the room for the night.
Using the oil of this wonderful plant, you can attract good luck to the house. A few drops of ether are diluted in water. With the help of a sprayer, all rooms in the house, including a bathroom, are sprayed. At the time of spraying, you can mentally ask a fortune for assistance, assistance in resolving monetary issues and protecting against ruin. This ritual is repeated during the first three days of the new lunar month for three consecutive months.
You can take such advice with a smile, but you should not deny the benefits of this valuable essential oil. It is not for nothing that the ancient Indians and Egyptians greatly appreciated its properties, ate green leaves for food, made grinds and oils from them. In those days when medicine was not developed enough, such methods helped maintain good health and clarity of mind.