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Basil – the herb that aids digestion and breastfeeding!
Do you usually put basil with tomatoes, just like Italians mammas do? Well, aside from its undeniable flavour qualities, did you know that Ocimum basilicum also has medicinal properties?
In fact, it is recommended to women who have just given birth as it is believed to promote lactation. But that’s not all. Basil is a member of the Lamiaceae family and will grown in any warm country, sheltered from the wind. For the reasons we have already seen, basil has an obvious place in the herb section of any good kitchen garden but as it also grows very well in pots, it has, in a way, become a kind of urban plant…
When used for its “therapeutic” qualities, basil must be picked while the stem is still in flower. It is then tied in bunches and left to dry in thin layers in the shade. Once dry it can be used to make infusions, with 2 to 3 teaspoonfuls of dried basil to 2 cups of water. The silica and saponins found in the plant have a beneficial effect on urinary problems and bloating. The tannins and mineral salts aid digestion and, in addition to its stimulant effect on lactation, it seems that basil is also a good sedative!
And if you’re not convinced, you can still use it in cooking. Choose the large, fleshy green leaves which have a flavour reminiscent of cloves or nutmeg. The possibilities are endless …
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