Ayurvedic preparations with Holy basil are prescribed for a number of conditions ranging from common cold and cough to bronchitis and asthma.

Prepare an extract by boiling 50 grams of Holy basil leaves and its branches with 15 grams of black pepper and 25 grams of ginger in 500 ml of water. Boil the mixture till it is reduced to one-fourth of its original volume.

Boil this extract with 10 grams of finely ground small, green cardamom along with 200 grams of sugar (the preference is unrefined sugar). Continue boiling the extract till it reaches a specific consistency. You can measure the consistency by pressing a drop of the sugary solution between your forefinger and thumb. On separating your fingers you should get a single sticky strand of the sugary solution. Filter the final extract through a fine mesh or a cotton cloth and store it.

Dosages for children

For children the dosage is half to one and half teaspoonfuls a day, while for adults it is two to four teaspoonfuls a day.

The extract provides relief in case of breathing problems, general cough, whooping cough (whooping cough is different from the general cough in that it is accompanied by a deep and extended sound that comes from within the lungs during a coughing bout), and irritation of throat. Have the preparation with hot water if you are an asthma patient.

Basil for coughs and colds

If you are suffering from chronic cough, a mixture of 5-10 mg of juice of Basil leaves and finally ground four-five grains of whole black pepper, taken twice a day, is really helpful.

If you are suffering from common cold and flu, simply chewing Basil leaves provides relief.

For children suffering from cough and cold, a preparation made with five to ten milligrams of the juice of Basil leaves mixed with the juice of four to five grams of ginger and five to seven drops of honey can work wonders. This preparation works even for infants and new borns; only the dosage for them is smaller - one to two drops twice a day.

Basil for fevers

To make an anti-pyretic medicine, tear seven leaves of Basil and drop the pieces into a glassful of water. Now break five grains of cloves into small pieces and add to the contents of the glass. Boil this mixture till it is reduced to half its original volume. Add a pinch of rock salt to this extract. Have this preparation hot, cover your body fully and lie down or go to sleep. The perspiration that follows helps bring the fever down.

Do not dry off or wipe the sweat till it dries up itself. Continue having the medication twice a day for two to three days. The preparation is also effective in case of cough and cold.

The anti-pyretic preparation has been invented by the founder of the current yoga and ayurveda movement in India, Swami Ramdev.

Basil for ear problems

If you are suffering from an ear ache or an abscess in the ear, use a few drops of an extract prepared from Basil leaves. This extract works for the worst of such conditions.

Basil for Jaundice

if you are suffering from jaundice, boil one hundred Basil leaves in about 200 ml of water till the volume reduces to one-thirdof the original quantity. Drink this extract with honey for a specific number of days to bring the jaundice under control.

Basil for Arthritis

If you are arthritic, you can use an ointment prepared from 250 grams of Basil leaves, a leaf of Andi (Ricinus communis) and half a teaspoonful of common salt. Apply this ointment on the arthritic joints for long-term relief. (The use of this ointment has been reported by an ethnobotanical researcher from India, Pankaj Oudhia. Pankaj investigated the use of medicinal plants by the local traditional healers in the central Indian state of Chattisgarh).

Basil for Leucorrhea

Holy basil also provides relief to patients suffering from Leucorrhea too. Leucorrhea is a common gynecological disorder characterized by vaginal discharges and pain. As Pankaj reports, the traditional healers of the plains of Chhattisgarh use Holy Basil leaves to treat Leucorrhoea. They patient has to eat the leaves of the plant with honey for a specific time period. The researcher-writer interacted with many satisfied patients who had taken this simple treatment.

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