8 Sure Shot Ways Basil Benefits Your Health When Chewed On Empty Stomach

Most Indian houses are known to have at least one basil (tulsi) plant. The holy basil has numerous benefits such as helping with nausea, common cold, fever along with menstrual cramps and even diabetes. It has become a major ingredient in many Indian, Italian and Mediterranean cuisines because of its garnishing properties, nutrients, high vitamin and mineral content.

Tulsi, a well-known condiment, is enriched with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. There are numerous benefits of eating basil leaves daily on an empty stomach owing to its high content of antioxidants and nutraceuticals.  [1]

Before discussing its benefits let’s take a look at its nutritional value.

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According to USDA, basil contains the following nutritional values (per 100 grams) : 

• 22 Calories
• 0.64 grams Fat
• 4 mg Sodium
• 295 g Potassium
• 2.65 gram total Carbohydrate
• 3. 15 gram Protein

Vitamins and Minerals :

• 5275% Vitamin A
• 177% Calcium
• 18.0% Vitamin C
• 3.17% Iron
• 0.155% Vitamin B-6
• 64% Magnesium

Now that you know how rich tulsi actually is in vitamins and minerals, let’s make you aware of the benefits of holy basil.[2]

Here are 8 amazing benefits of basil when chewed on an empty stomach

1. Feeling feverish or have a runny nose? Basil will help

Tulsi leaves are rich in anti-microbial properties that will give you relief from cough and common cold. The juices present in basil leaves are also highly effective in bringing down temperatures.

In fact, many cough syrups have basil leaves and one of their major ingredients.

So next time you have a cold, remember to eat tulsi leaves or just boil them in some water and drink.

2. An amazing solution to stress

Day to day life can sometimes get too stressful for a person. In that case, consuming 4-5 fresh basil leaves twice a day on an empty stomach will calm your senses.

Basil leaves are considered to be adaptogens that contain strong stress-busting abilities. They will help body to keep blood pure and give you a calm and relaxed state of mind.

You can also soak basil leaves in your bath water for a refreshing bath.

3. Boosts immune system

Since basil leaves contain anti-oxidant and antibiotic properties, they help eliminating toxins. Basil aids in purification of blood thereby building and strengthening the immune system to fight infections and illnesses.

It is proven that basil leaves boost the immunity by regulating the secretion of cytokines, histamines, immunoglobulins and phagocytes. [3]

Chew 5-6 leaves daily or soak them overnight in water and drink the water in the morning to avail basil’s benefits.

4. Treats stomach problems and keeps your digestive system healthy

Basil leaves are great when it comes to treating stomach ache and cramps. Eating basil leaves daily will help with ingestion, constipation, acidity, and piles.

When consumed on an empty stomach, basil leaves help to maintain the pH levels and keep acidity in check.

It helps with keeping things flowing in the digestive tract and digestive metabolism.

5. Helps with kidney stones

Consuming 5-6 basil leaves with tepid water on an empty stomach every morning will help you find relief from kidney stones.

You can also mix basil leaves extract with honey and drink the concoction every day. Doing this for six months will help your body with the disintegration of the stones which will pass through the urinary tract.

What a pain reliever!

6. Good for your eyes

Basil leaves are a rich source of Vitamin A which is very beneficial for your eyes.

It averts eye infections, night-blindness, macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Basil leaves can also be employed to treat sore eyes and reduce puffy appearance and redness.

5-6 leaves of basil every morning will help you aid in the daily supplement of Vitamin A.

7. Keeps skin healthy

Suffering from skin ageing, blemishes, acne, itchiness, wrinkles? You name it, and basil will conquer them in no time.

Basil contains a group of organic compounds called phenolics which are responsible for its extensive anti-oxidant properties. These compounds keep your skin young and fight lines, wrinkles, sagging of skin and numerous other skin problems.

The flavonoids in basil fight against the free radicals effectively and protect your body from premature ageing.

8. Good for the heart and cures respiratory troubles

Basil leaves are rich in eugenol which aids in lowering cholesterol levels and maintaining blood sugar levels making you less prone to acquiring any heart diseases.

Being a natural blood purifier, basil also aids in controlling blood pressure.

In addition to this, basil leaves are also known to help with respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, influenza, asthma, and nasal congestion.

Some more benefits of basil 

In addition to the aforementioned benefits, here are some more health benefits of chewing basil on an empty stomach: [4]

• Heals infections of all kinds
• Gives relief from headache
• Helps to quit smoking
• Prevents diabetes
• Relief From menstrual cramps
• Provides essential vitamins and minerals

Side effects basil can bring

You must be wondering how something as magical as basil can have negative effects.

Too much of anything is not a good thing; and basil is no exception. Basil may have side effects on health when consumed mindlessly.

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Some of the side effects of basil include:

• Eugenol overdose: Excessive consumption of basil leaves can lead to Eugenol overdose, which is a key element in Tulsi. Symptoms include bleeding during coughs, rapid breathing, and blood in the urine.
• Blood thinning: Tulsi has the ability to avoid thickening of blood in the body. However, if consumed excessively it can lead to extreme blood thinning. To avoid this, you must not consume too much basil leaves if you’re already on anti-clogging or blood-thinning medications.
• Hypoglycemia: Tulsi can reduce blood sugar levels drastically and therefore must not be consumed in excess to avoid hypoglycemia, a condition that causes one to have abnormally low blood sugar levels.
• Allergies and pregnancy: If you are allergic to basil, you must avoid the use of basil leaves altogether. Basil can also have long-term effects on pregnant women and the baby such as complications during childbirth or menstruation. One of the side effects of basil also includes an increase in uterine contractions in pregnant women. It is advised that you keep the consumption of basil up to a maximum of 6-10 leaves per day to avoid these side effects.

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