2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Mint-leaved basil is one of the plants in the family called labiates. In Latin, the name of this plant is as follows: Ocimum menthaefolium.
Description of mint-leaved basil
Mint-leaved basil is sometimes also called camphor basil. This plant is a perennial shrub, which has an erect, branched stem, the height of which will fluctuate between sixty and eighty centimeters. The leaves of the plant will be short petiolate and opposite. The inflorescence of this plant is a simple brush, the length of which is about eight to twenty centimeters. The corolla of such an inflorescence is white, but sometimes pink is also found. Mint-leaved basil has a rather active pleasant smell.
The flowering of the plant begins in July and continues until late autumn. It is worth noting that mint-leaved basil is also a good nectar plant.
Under natural conditions, this plant can be found in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, as well as on the island of Madagascar and in Northeast Africa. It should be noted that mint-leaved basil can also be grown as an annual plant, which dies with the onset of the first frost. As an annual, mint-leaved basil is grown in the Caucasus, in the south of Ukraine and in Central Asia.
Description of the medicinal properties of mint-leaved basil
This plant has very valuable medicinal properties. For medicinal purposes, the aerial part is used, with the exception of the lignified parts of the stem.
In the aerial part of mint-leaved basil, a rather high content of essential oil is noted: the stems contain less than one percent, while in the inflorescences this content fluctuates between one and a half to three percent, and the leaves may contain slightly less than two to six percent. In this case, the main component of such an essential oil will be such a substance as dextrorotatory camphor, for this reason, natural camphor is very often obtained from this plant.
It is scientifically proven that the essential oil of this plant has the ability to stimulate the appetite and also have anti-inflammatory effects. Preparations in which there is a significant content of this plant are also used for colitis, chronic gastritis, as well as for coughs, whooping cough, inflammation of the bladder and renal pelvis. As for external use, this plant is used as compresses for eczema and hard-to-heal wounds. For compresses, you will need to prepare an infusion of peppermint basil. However, special care should be taken when using peppermint basil, because too much of this plant can also have an irritating effect.
For toothache, it is recommended to use the oral cavity using a decoction made from mint-leaved basil with the addition of salt and vinegar. Juice made from fresh leaves should also be taken with purulent otitis media.
As for traditional medicine, it uses dry crushed herb in the form of snuff. Such a remedy is recommended for use with prolonged runny nose, such a remedy will help arouse sneezing. In addition, an infusion of basil seeds is also used, which must be applied as compresses in case of eye inflammation, and infusion in the form of compresses can also be applied to cracks in the nipples, and the infusion is also used for nephritis, amenorrhea and headache.
Often they also use peppermint basil herb infusion instead of tea, as well as for baths and poultices.
Recommended:
Basil
Basil is considered a perennial plant, and individual specimens can reach up to two meters in length. In total, there are about one hundred and fifty different varieties in the genus. Basil flowers are quite small and gather in inflorescences.
Basil In The Open Field: The Subtleties Of Growing
Basil is a well-known and incredibly popular spice that can significantly improve the taste of dishes we are used to. That is why many summer residents seek to settle this plant in their plots! And rightly so: everyone can grow basil in the open field! Of course, basil needs careful soil selection and systematic care, but it boasts impressive resistance to a wide variety of pests and ailments
Basil Yellow
Basil yellow belongs to a family called buttercup. In Latin, the name of this plant sounds like this: Thalictrum flavum L. Description of yellow basil Basil yellow is a perennial herb, the height of which can reach sixty to one hundred centimeters.
Stinking Basil
Stinking basil belongs to a family called buttercups, in Latin the name of this plant sounds like this: Thalictrum foetidum L. Description of the stinking basil The stinking basil is a perennial herb that will fluctuate in height between fifteen and sixty-five centimeters.
Small Basil
Small basil belongs to the family called buttercups. In Latin, the name of this plant will sound like this: Thalictrum minus L. Description of the little basilist Little Basil is a perennial herb, which is endowed with a creeping rhizome, grayish in color.