HerbMate Library

Basil leaf

Ocimum basilicum

Culinary Spice|Digestive

Basil leaf is a classic culinary herb that also shows up in traditional digestion and stress-soothing routines. Think: gentle gut comfort, mild calming aroma, and flavorful food-as-medicine energy.

Key Benefits

Supports digestion comfort after meals (traditional use).
Provides antioxidant plant compounds as a culinary herb.
Aromatic herb used in calming, stress-soothing routines (traditional use).

Common Issues It May Help With

Mild indigestion routines (traditional use).
Gas and bloating routines (traditional use).
Stress tension routines (aroma/traditional use).

How To Use (Simple)

Food: fresh or dried in sauces, soups, meats, vegetables.
Tea: steep dried basil 5–10 minutes (often blended with lemon or ginger).
Aroma: crush fresh leaves and inhale gently for a quick aromatic reset.

Taste / Notes

Sweet-herbal, slightly peppery.

Evidence Level

Strong culinary tradition; limited clinical data for medicinal claims.

Cautions

Generally safe in food amounts. Concentrated extracts/oils are much stronger—use caution.

Interactions

No major known interactions in normal culinary use.

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