Do you know that? No matter how hard you try: After a week at the latest, the basil you bought in the pot will lose its leaves. Many people suspect that the soil in the pots is loaded with microbes or fungi that will kill the seedling. But is that true?

It doesn’t matter whether you place it in the sun or in the shade, water it devotedly, or neglect it affectionately – after a week the basil plant you have bought is a case for the compost heap.

For the next Caprese salad, you have to go back to the supermarket and get a new potty. An effect that the supermarket operators shouldn’t mind – but what about the rumor that the shelf life of basil is intentionally limited?

A team of reporters from SWR commissioned an independent test laboratory to analyze soil samples from various pots bought in the supermarket. The result: No conspicuous values ​​that indicate targeted manipulation. But one thing is certain: the basil that we buy in the supermarket often has a long and often arduous journey behind it. The plant also takes with it the stay in the cold store, so that it quickly lets the leaves hang on the windowsill at home.

This keeps your basil fresh for a long time

More room

Carefully divide the basil plant into three parts and plant each in its own pot. This way, each plant gets more light and nutrients.

Lots of light

Basil is a plant native to the Mediterranean region. Therefore, she needs light and the sun to thrive. A place in the darkest corner of the kitchen (e.g. on the worktop) is therefore extremely unsuitable for the delicate plant.

The right amount of water

If the plant lets its leaves droop, it often simply has too little water. But falling into action and soaking the soil quickly turns out to be a mistake: when waterlogged, the plant is quickly attacked by gray mold. You can recognize this by the brownish-grey spots on the stems and leaves.

As a rule of thumb: water the pot with an amount of water that corresponds to about one-tenth of the pot’s volume every day. So your basil plant is optimally supplied with water without it starting to rot.

Harvest right

If only individual leaves are plucked off, your basil plant will soon look pretty torn. Therefore, always snip off a complete stalk directly above the leaf axis. This allows the side shoots to continue growing and the plant stays alive longer.

In Asia, basil seeds have long been used in drinks and desserts. Now chia-like seeds are also being discovered in the western world.

Now that basil has become an integral part of our kitchen, its seeds are now being served on the plate or in the glass! Similar to chia seeds, basil seeds soaked in water expand up to 30 times their volume and also develop the jelly-like consistency that we know from chia seeds.

How do basil seeds taste?

Unlike the basil plant, basil seeds taste neutral to slightly nutty. They are used in foods to give structure and not flavor. That is why they are also used in fruit desserts such as Falooda in Asia. In Asia, basil seeds are also called “Sabja Seeds”.

Are Basil Seeds Healthy?

Due to their strong swelling properties, basil seeds ensure long-lasting satiety. Therefore, they can have a supportive effect if you want to lose weight.

Basil seeds have long been used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). They are said to have a cooling and soothing effect on colds and nervous tension. The seeds are also used to treat skin inflammation and digestive problems.

How can I use basil seeds?

In principle, you can use basil seeds like chia seeds, i.e. as a kind of pudding. Practical: Basil seeds swell much faster than chia seeds.

Tips and tricks for basil as an old natural home remedy and to use in the kitchen. Healthy basil home remedies and ideas for basil as a medicinal plant.

Whether on warm pizza or pasta or as pesto. Basil is an integral part of Italian cuisine. And basil is not only healthy but also a tried and tested household remedy. We show you what you can do with basil as a medicinal plant and basil as a home remedy.

1) Basil as a home remedy for headaches

Annoying headache? It’s a good thing that basil was a proven remedy for headaches and migraines in ancient times. The fragrances calm and reduce stress and tension. Did you know that the scents in basil are considered a preservative? If you have a headache, then the medicinal plant is helpful as a home remedy.

It is best to chew fresh basil leaves. Slow chewing movements are also calming. But basil oil that you apply to your forehead also makes the pain go away. Even a tea made from this plant can reduce fever and relieve symptoms. Also, note our natural home remedies for headaches.

2) The healthy medicinal plant for the stomach

In traditional medicine from the Mediterranean region, basil has been used for stomach ailments for ages. It helps against both losses of appetite and a feeling of fullness. It also prevents flatulence, digestive problems, stomach pain, and upsets. It is best to drink this as tea by infusing it with warm water. With at least two cups a day, the stomach will quickly settle down and digestion will be rebalanced. Here you will find our other home remedies for stomach pain.

3) As a home remedy for hair loss

Basil promotes hair growth by stimulating blood circulation. As an oil, it can stimulate hair growth and help strengthen the hair. To prevent hair loss, simply apply some basil oil to the hairline once a day while washing your hair and wash it out. Maybe our home remedies for brittle and dry hair are something for you!

After just a few weeks, your hair will shine full and strong again! Basil also helps as a home remedy against dandruff and a dry scalp: grind a handful of basil leaves (Indian tulsi is best for this) in a mortar and mix with about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Massage this mass into the scalp in circular motions. Here are more home remedies for hair fall and hair loss.

4) Gargling with basil as a home remedy

You can also gargle basil, as this is an ideal home remedy for sore throats and sore throats. To do this, simply pour about 150ml of hot water on about 1 tablespoon of fresh leaves of the plant and let it steep for about a quarter of an hour and allow it to cool slightly. In addition, gargling with basil helps against canker sores because it is expectorant and antibacterial. Since the plant is also refreshing, you can also use it as a mouthwash after brushing your teeth together with sage. Also, note our home remedies for mouth sores.

5) The medicinal plant for the eyes

The medicinal plant contains a lot of vitamin A, which is good for the eyes. It is also high in vitamin C and beta carotene, as well as having anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. These help against dry eyes. Basil has been known as a remedy for bags under the eyes since the Middle Ages. Simply soak the leaves in water overnight and gently wash the eyes with a cotton pad or make compresses at least three times a day. Here you will find home remedies for burning eyes.

6) Beautiful skin with basil as a home remedy

Basil not only contains vitamins but also many antioxidants and essential oils. The antiseptic and antibacterial properties cleanse the face and the anti-inflammatory properties soothe redness and irritation. For facial cleansing, simply grind 20-30 leaves and add about a teaspoon of jojoba oil. Apply to the face and wash off after a few minutes to start the day refreshed and with a radiant complexion. Also, try our homemade face mask for tired skin.

If you boil the leaves in water for about 5-6 minutes, strain it and let it cool down, you can make a facial tonic. Fill a bottle with a little lemon juice and apply to the clear face with a cotton pad. You can find more home remedies for smooth facial skin here.

Although the scope of its application is not as wide as it could be – all because of the powerful aroma of basil, which makes it unconditionally dominate in combination with delicate foods – where basil is appropriate, it literally transforms the dish, breathing new life into it. And of course, there are many other interesting facts to tell about the basilica.

1. Basil comes from central and tropical Asia and Africa – according to one of the versions, we owe the origin of the basil to India. However, in the Mediterranean, basil grew extensively already in antiquity and is an integral part of Mediterranean cuisine.
2. The name “basil” goes back to the Greek “royal”, “royal”. The Greeks believed that only the monarch himself, armed with a golden sickle, has the right to collect the basilica.
3. In addition, the ancient Greeks, and with them, the Romans believed that basil would rise only if the sowers shouted curses and shouted wildly.
4. In general, there are many superstitions associated with basil. For example, it was widely believed that a basil leaf, forgotten under an inverted bowl, after a while turns into a scorpion. Some even believed that sniffing basil would trigger a scorpion in the brain.
5. It was also believed that Salome covered the severed head of John the Baptist in a pot of basil to hide the smell of decay. Let us also mention the terrible story told by Boccaccio about a girl who watered a pot of basil with her tears, in which the head of her lover was buried. Later, this story inspired the English poet John Keats to create the poem Isabella, or a pot of basil. However, it seems to me that the fault is not basil, but the overly violent and painful imagination of some creative personalities.
6. However, the stories associated with the basil do not have to be chilling. In Italy, basil has always been considered a symbol of love, and in Romania, a young man who accepts a basil stalk as a gift from a girl agrees to be engaged. In Mexico, they believe that basil protects from the fact that the beloved will lay eyes on someone else, in Haiti, basil is generally considered a powerful amulet.
7. A mixture of basil and rosemary is used as a salt substitute in a salt-free diet.
8. Basil leaves are a valuable source of vitamin P-rutin and provitamin A. In addition, the aerial part of the plant is rich in essential oils, and therefore basil is widely used in medicine as an aphrodisiac and general tonic, to stimulate digestion and arouse appetite.
9. Basil goes well with tomatoes and is one of the main ingredients of pesto, so a rare Italian dish does without basil.
10. Basil is also famous for the fact that it suits almost any dish – fish, meat, vegetables. In addition, you can always add a spicy flavor to food by seasoning it with vinegar or olive oil infused with basil.