Ayurveda is a traditional healthcare system in India that focuses on leading a healthy lifestyle and consuming herbs to live a balanced and harmonious life. In the wake of the present crisis created by the new world, Ayurveda offers solutions in Nature.

Basil is a medicinal and flavourful herb that grows in tropical and subtropical regions. This article reviews its role in the modern health economy.

Introduction

Basil's botanical name is Ocimum, and it belongs to the family Lamiaceae. The important species of the genus are Americanum, Basilica, and Sanctum. The name basil originates from the Greek word basileus or King. In India and its neighbouring countries, the plant is called Tulsi.² Planting Tulsi in homes has spiritual and practical significance in Indian culture.

Ocimum species are distinguished from each other based on the characteristics of the colour of flowers, leaves, and stems. 

Plants with medicinal values respond to stress, anxiety, and fatigue.  These plants are called adaptogens. Introducing these adaptogens to food or beverages is a way to consume them. They are beneficial and rejuvenating, helping us to cope with physical and mental stresses.

Basil helps us deal with lung and kidney issues and infections. It even provides relief for skin and eye diseases. It strengthens our immune system and thinking abilities.¹

Basil: chemical composition

Basil has a range of actions that affect disease-causing microorganisms and other biological activities.

Practitioners in recent years have renewed their interest in traditional modalities of treatment. With knowledge and equipment, they attempt to distil every information about the constituents that bring the change. Basil  contains

Essential oils

The essential oils of basil herb have healing properties. Chemical constituents derived from these plants are used in the food, perfume, and wellness industries.

The essential oil present in plants depends on the season. In winter, the oil content in the basil plant increases compared to summer. The range varies from 0.5% to 0.8%. Parts of the basil plant used for essential oil extraction are its leaf and inflorescence.  

The abundant essential oil linalool is (56.72 to 60.6%) followed by epi-alpha-cardinol (8.6 to 11.4%) alpha- bergamotene 7.4 to 9.2%) and gamma cadinene 3.2 to 5.4%. estragole, cineol, camphor, αpinene, eugenol, oleanolic acid and more.³

Vitamins and minerals

Basil contains vitamins C and A and minerals like calcium, zinc, iron, and other phytonutrients. The mineral content of basil is 

1. Calcium: 25 mg
2. Phosphorus 287 mg
3. Iron: 15.1 mg
4. Vitamin C: 25 mg per 100g⁶

Antioxidants

Basil contains antioxidants.  Antioxidants protect us from the damage caused by free radicals and reactive oxygen species due to exposure to sunlight.⁷ Synthetic antioxidants can cause toxicity, whereas natural antioxidants are considered safe. 

Role of basil

Anti-inflammatory 

Plants have always been a bioresource of drugs because of the anti-inflammatory products produced in plants. Fractions of oils extracted from basil crude oil show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are used for these properties.⁸

Before the mass production of drugs, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals, plant-based natural ingredients were used to treat diseases.    

The World Health Organization recognises that 70 and 95% of the population in developing countries relies on Mother Nature for their primary health care. It is estimated that 3,00,000 plant species exist worldwide, and almost 13,000 plant species have medicinal properties.⁶ Plants exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Basil and skincare

Skincare products offer hydration, firmness, elasticity, and anti-ageing care, improving the skin's overall condition. Essential oils are incorporated in topical skin care products that permeate into the deeper layers of skin.⁴ They are safe and cause no irritation to the skin. They are also effective as carriers for other beneficial components.  The cosmetic and skincare market has evolved like never before, and Green consumerism has emphasised the use of herbal products. Consumers are typically observant about the quality of the products.

Poor-quality personal care products often are contaminated by bacteria and fungi. These are rich in water, oil, and proteins that act as an incubating medium. They cause undesired reactions on our skin. Preservatives added to them are biocides that prevent the degradation of cosmetics. Parabens commonly in use are synthetic.

Antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory actions of basil oils treat the adverse effects of the environment on the skin.⁷ Nanotechnology makes the delivery of essential oils to the skin possible.⁴

The skin is exposed to sunlight and environmental conditions, which generate reactive oxygen species. These react with proteins, fatty acids, and DNA, impair the antioxidant system, and lead to ageing and cancer. Constituents derived from natural products have no adverse effects. Herbal extracts in skin care products have antioxidant properties.

Basil's anti-inflammatory properties offer an alternative.⁷ The development of natural skin care products as cosmetics allows the treatment of diverse conditions causing improvement of skin appearance.⁶ This is because plant-derived extracts are safe and effective. 

Research has revealed the harmful effects of synthetic products on the skin. 

Basil and vitality

Basil contains no stimulant,yet it is a vitaliser. Ayurveda regards it as an herb that promotes overall health and longevity.

Respiratory system

In Ayurvedic formulations for expectoration and bronchodilation, basil alleviates cough, cold, and congestion.

Digestive system

Flatulence and stomach discomfort. Indigestion, bloating, and pain-abdomen are relieved by basil.

Circulatory system

Basil regulates blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Holy basil extracts prevent blood clotting and promote healthy blood flow. 

Metabolic diseases

Studies have revealed that it decreases fasting and postprandial glucose levels in the blood. It even improves the liver profiles of people with diabetes.¹

Anti-cancer potential

Holy basil extracts act on actively proliferating cancer cells, inhibiting their growth and metastasis. The active compounds in basil induce cell cycle arrest and promote cancer cell death, making it a promising adjunct therapy in cancer treatment.

Oral health and healing

Studies have revealed a significant reduction in plaque deposition, gingival bleeding, and purulent discharge with extracts obtained from basil.¹

Basil: home remedies

• As a home remedy, acne on the face is treated by boiling basil leaves and using the liquid as a toner
• Tea with basil leaves is one of the most consumed beverages. Basil tea has health-promoting benefits due to its antioxidants. Temperature plays a role in extracting bioactive compounds in tea. The hot water used to prepare tea helps to extract the essential oils³ 
• Eugenol is effectively used in dentistry to reduce inflammation

Future trends

Basil holds promise as a medicinal plant. Research and exploration of its cosmeceutical potential, cultivation techniques, and conservation strategies are needed. It will pave the way for blending Ayurveda and modern healthcare to provide humanity with its benefits.

Summary

• Basil contains Linalool and Eugenol.⁹  These important aromatic compounds act against bacterial infections. They destroy bacterial cell walls, causing the death of bacterial cells
• Basil leaves prevent swelling. Eugenol extracted from basil leaves reduces swelling and relieves pain in dentistry⁹
• Basil boosts our immune system¹
• Basil leaves help to manage stress. They rejuvenate and help to relax the body and reduce the strain¹
• Basil helps in improving memory¹