The holy basil is native to Indian. It reached Western Europe only in the 16th century. It has been now widely grown all over the globe. The botanical name occimum sanctum (Latin) of basil depicts that it is sacred plant not only in India but through out the world because of the outstanding medicinal and purifying virtues contained in its essential volatile oils in the leaves, stems and roots. In India basil is cultnated in almost every where. The herbs are known from as early as the Vedic period.
The herb is bitter and pungent there are many varieties of basils, found all over the world white & black basils were commonly found varieties. The black Tulsi is the best as regards its properties, according to Hakeem Hashmi, the well-reputed unani researcher & physician. As Hakeem Hashmi reveals. Basil acts as an appetizer & help digestion, it is beneficial to heart, suppresses excessive bile, cough and flatulence remove blood impurities. All the parts of the plants I.E seeds, leaves, shoots, flowers, stems and even the roots have medicinal value & are helpful in eradicating diseases.
The plant has medicinal properties. The leaves are nerve tonic and sharpen memory. They promote the removal of catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes. The leaves strengthen the stomach and induce copious perspiration. The seeds of the plant are mucilaginous or starchy and nourishing they have back soothing effect on the skin and the mucous membranes. They also increase the volume of urine.

1. Taking itsp basil juice with little black pepper and honey taken 4 times daily cures malaria.
2. Decoction made from roots of basil mixed with sugars taken 3 to 4 times back day also cures malaria.
3. Decoction made of 6-8 basil leaves, one cardamom and little ginger taken regularly acts as a preventive against malaria.

• Smelling of power of basil leaves dried in shade helps in curing the running nose.
• Juices of ginger & basil in equal quality mixed with honey cures cold & cough and as a general tonic.
• Heat 5 cloves and chew it with basil leaves. It helps in relieving cough & cold.

• A decoction of basil leaves is a good medicine for headaches.
• Pounder leaves mixed with sandalwood paste can also be applied on the forehead for getting relife from heat headaches and for producing coolness general.
• Applying basil juice mixed with camphor on forehead relieves headaches.

SKIN DISEASES: -
Applying bask juice mixed with lemon juice in equal proportion on the affected skin cures itches, pimples, black sports, acnes, ringworm and other skin diseases.

TEETH DISORDERS: -

Basil leaves dried in the sun and powdered can be used for brushing teeth. It can also be mixed with mustard oil to mark a paste and used as toothpaste. It also useded to counteract bad breath and to massage the gums. It is also useful in pyorrhoea and other teeth disorders.

OTHER USES: -

• The juice of basil leaves is a well remedy for earache and dullness of hearing. Afew drops of juice; put in the ear cures these disorders. The seeds of the plant are useful in diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, habitual constipation, gonorrhea, and internal piles. Cough, kidney disorders and fevers.

• Swallowing five leaves with water early in the morning increases physician strength, mental faculities and imparts glow on the face.
• Eight drops of basil juice taken with water strengthen muscles and bones. Seeds boiled in milk imparts vigour and vitality, put in water purifies & makes it germ free.
• Deep breathing in the vicinity of basil plants prevents may diseases.
• Basil plant purifies the polluted atmosphere according to Hakeem Hashmi the innumerable cures of basil cannot be captured in limited paged. Grow basils and keep the world pollution free and live back healthy life.