He basil oil It has become one of those essential oils that should not be missing at home, because it has hundreds of different applications. If you’ve gotten a pimple on your face before an important event, you can trust it to help it go away. If what happens to you is that you have stomach discomfort, it will also be good for you to resort to this solution.
Basil essential oil is a great ally, and the best thing is that you don’t have to go to the supermarket to buy it, because you can make it entirely at home.
Basil oil properties
Get ready to discover that planting basil at home has many more benefits than you thought. Look at everything that an oil made from basil leaves can do for you.
antimicrobial properties
Bacteria, fungi and viruses fall in love with basil. Precisely for this reason, its oil has been used for centuries as a natural remedy against flu, colds, respiratory infections and topical problems such as acne.
For example, if you have a pimple, dilute a few drops of this oil in another that acts as a carrier (almond oil is a good choice) and apply it directly to the affected area. Let it air dry and start to take effect.
If you have nasal congestion, put a few drops in a container with hot water and perform steam inhalations. If you have a humidifier at home, add a few drops and let it do its work while you relax on the couch, or directly while you sleep.
antioxidant properties
Basil oil is rich in antioxidants, chemical compounds that are responsible for neutralize free radicalsthus preventing them from causing damage to our body.
Free radicals are responsible for premature aging symptoms on our face, but they are also They are related to the appearance of serious diseases such as cancer. Therefore, it is better to take all possible precautions against its performance.
The action of this oil is more effective if it comes from within our body, so what we can do is add basil oil in some of our recipes. It can be a wonderful dressing for salads, but also for pastas, sauces and, of course, for dishes that contain tomato.
anti-inflammatory properties
In case you notice your legs are swollen from the heat or from spending a lot of time standing, if you have had an overload when exercising, you have arthritis or you suffer from inflammation in the stomach or intestine, trust basil oil. Because it has excellent natural anti-inflammatory properties.
You can add it to your recipes, as we have seen a moment ago, but you can also apply it to massage the areas where you feel pain or inflammation. For a better result, you can mix a few drops of this product with another carrier oil of your choice.
Mental Health Benefits
We all live in constant stress, and that makes us not feel good either physically or mentally. Fighting against this phenomenon is complicated, but you have to try to lead a more relaxed lifestyle.
In case you are going through an episode of stress or anxiety, or just need to relax, use basil oil. Add a few drops to an aroma diffuser, turn off the lights, put on relaxing music and focus on your breath. Five or 10 minutes will be enough for you to feel much better.
How to make basil oil at home?
With all the properties it has, it is clear that we should never lack it at home. So we are going to see a recipe for homemade basil oil, so that you have it on hand whenever you need it.
The ingredients to make a liter of basil oil are:
- 950 ml of extra virgin olive oil (that is of good quality).
- 30 fresh basil leaves and, if possible, add some flowers.
As you can imagine, if you want to make more or less, you just have to adjust the proportions based on what I indicate.
Recipe 1 to make basil oil
Start by cutting about 30 leaves from your basil plant that are very smooth. Clean them a little with the help of a clean cloth. If you see it necessary, wash them under the tap. Next, put them in a glass with a couple of tablespoons of water and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest for half an hour.
Transfer the mixture of leaves and water to a airtight container (make it glass, do not use plastic so that there is no risk of it adding flavors from other foods that it has contained in advance) and add the oil. Cover this container with plastic wrap and then put the lid on it.
Let the mixture sit in a cool, dark place, like your pantry cupboard, for 10 days.. Every two days mix the content well so that the flavors blend. You don’t need to open the bottle, just shake it a little.
After that time, strain the oil and save it to use when you need it. If you want, you can add several basil leaves to the bottle in which you keep it.
Basil Oil Recipe 2
As with all recipes, there are always several ways to reach the same end result. Here you have another alternative to make homemade basil oil.
Start by cleaning the basil leaves under running water. Next, put a saucepan with water on the fire and warm them up for a minute (they don’t need to boil).
Cool them in a container with ice water, drain them well and crush them with a blender or with a mortar, whatever you prefer. As you crush the leaves, add the olive oil. When you’re done, you can pass the mixture through a strainer to remove any remaining leaves, or leave it as it is.
Can use it immediately or put it in a glass jar and let it macerate from two weeks to a month to enhance its flavor. If you choose the latter option, you can add some fresh leaves that you should change every two weeks. Also, remember to store the bottle in a cool, dark place, but never in the fridge.
Delicious and full of good properties, the basil oil it will become one of your favorites both for cooking and for taking care of yourself. Have you tried it yet? Tell me about your experience in the comments!
