Herbal medicine, which is also called or named botanical medicine or phytomedicine, means the use of any plant's seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes.herbalism is becoming more mainstream as daily analysis and researches show their values in the treatment, cure and prevention of diseases. I will be talking on the importance of herbal medicine which I call alternative medicine. Most of the roots herbs and leaves are common plants we come across on a daily basis but because we don’t know the usage and its effectiveness we despise them. They are cheap and mostly readily available in our environments. Some of these herbs and roots will be discussed.Their names, usage, importance etc.
BASIL HERB
The king of herbs, basil herb is one of the oldest and popular herbal plant rich in many notable health benefiting phyto-nutrients. This highly prized plant is referred as "holy herb" in many traditions all over the world.
Basil belongs to the family of Lamiaceae, of the genus: Ocimum. Its scientific name is "Ocimum basilicum." Basil can be found in virtually all parts of the world but, Basil is originally native to IRAN, INDIA, and other tropical regions of Asia. It can also be found in parts of Africa as much as I know of in NIGERIA. Basil is traditionally called ‘nchanwu’ (igbo) or ‘effirin’ (yoruba) or Ɗaɗɗoya ta gida (hausa). This bushy annual herbal plant is grown for its medicinally useful leaves and seeds. Basil grows best in warm, tropical climates. Fully-grown plant reaches on an average about 100 cm in height. The leaves are light green, silky about 2.5 inches long and 1 inch broad with opposite arrangement. The flowers are quite big, white in color and arranged in a terminal spike.
Different types of basil herb exist. "Mediterranean" cultivar is typically called sweet basil, has light green leaves as opposed "Asian basil" (Ocinum sanctum) that has large, hairy stems and stalks with pink flowers, purple or red leaves and has stronger ‘clove’ like flavor. There is also lemon basil, which has "lemon" flavor.
MEDICINAL USES AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF BASIL HERB
· Leaves of basil herbs are an excellent source of iron, contains 3.17 mg/100 g of fresh leaves (about 26% of RDA). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. In other words it provides blood for the body.
· Basil leaves contains many health benefiting essential oils such as eugenol, citronellol, linalool, citral, limonene and terpineol. These compounds are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
· The basil herbs parts are very low in calories and contain no cholesterol, but are very rich source of many essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.
· Basil herb contains exceptionally high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin A, cryptoxanthin, lutein andzea-xanthin. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease process.
· Zeaxanthin, a yellow flavonoid carotenoid compound, is selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea where it filters harmful UV rays from reaching retina. Herbs, fruits, and vegetables that are rich in this compound help to protect from age related macular disease (AMRD), especially in the elderly.
· Vitamin A is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin-A has been found to help body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
· Vitamin K in basil is essential for many coagulant factors in the blood and plays vital role in the bone strengthening function by helping mineralization process in the bones.
· Basil herb contains good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
· Basil tea (basil water-brewed) helps relieve nausea and is thought to have mild anti-septic functions.
· Oil of basil herb has also been found to have anti-infective functions by inhibiting many pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus, Enterococci, shigella and Pseudomonas.
Note: The Basil plant can be grown in a pot in the backyard of a house so that fresh leaves are readily available for use whenever the need arises.
In the herb store, choose fresh organic basil over the dried form of the herb since it is superior in quality and flavor. Fresh basil leaves should feature deep green in color and free from dark spots or yellowing. Dry basil leaves and seeds can be found in these stores, however, sun dried as well as radiation-treated basil leaves may contain significantly decreased vitamin-C and carotenoids levels.
See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients: Basil herb (Ocimum basilicum), Fresh leaves, Nutritive value per 100 g. (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base) | ||
Principle | Nutrient Value | Percentage of RDA |
Energy | 23 Kcal | 1% |
Carbohydrates | 2.65 g | 2% |
Protein | 3.15 g | 6% |
Total Fat | 0.64 g | 2% |
Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
Dietary Fiber | 1.60 g | 4% |
Vitamins | ||
Folates | 68 µg | 17% |
Niacin | 0.902 mg | 6% |
Pantothenic acid | 0.209 mg | 4% |
Pyridoxine | 0.155 mg | 12% |
Riboflavin | 0.076 mg | 6% |
Thiamin | 0.034 mg | 2.5% |
Vitamin A | 5275 IU | 175% |
Vitamin C | 18 mg | 30% |
Vitamin E | 0.80 mg | 5% |
Vitamin K | 414.8 µg | 345% |
Electrolytes | ||
Sodium | 4 mg | 0% |
Potassium | 295 mg | 6% |
Minerals | ||
Calcium | 177 mg | 18% |
Copper | 385 mg | 43% |
Iron | 3.17 mg | 40% |
Magnesium | 64 mg | 16% |
Manganese | 1.15 mg | 57% |
Zinc | 0.81 mg | 7% |
Phyto-nutrients | ||
Carotene-ß | 3142 µg | -- |
Crypto-xanthin-ß | 46 µg | -- |
Lutein-zeaxanthin | 5650 µg | -- |
