Basil is considered by ancient Greek culture to be the King of Plants and was used to anoint Kings. The word basil itself, is derived from the greek sentence that means “to smell”. In various countries, not only is it used to cook with, it’s used to help clean and remove odors in the kitchen. It’s considered antibacterial and anti-viral, inhibiting bacteria and fungi growth. It can be used by simply mixing with water and spraying down surfaces to disinfect, it can be run through a cycle in your appliances to deodorize, or even mixed with baking soda to remove stains and bacteria from you pots and pans. You can even spray your shower, toilet and garbage cans with it, it’s so effective.

When thinking of its disinfective properties, it’s also excellent to use when fighting colds and flu. Simply diffusing will help to kill any viruses floating around or you could put a drop in a steamy hot bath, with a drop of eucalyptus oil to help clear your airways. You can mix them both with a carrier oil and rub on your chest to help clear you up and work as a natural cold remedy.

Basil is great to help speed healing in fatigued and achy muscles. Mixed in a hot bath with Epsom salts and lavender, it also helps to relax the muscles and give immediate relief.

Basil is also an old ayurvedic remedy for ear infections. Combine it with a drop of frankincense in a thick carrier oil like coconut oil or cocoa butter and rubbed behind the ears or on the bottoms of your feet. You’ll notice a lot of holistic remedies require that you rub EOs on various places on your feet. It’s said that the pores on your feet are so much larger than anywhere else, allowing the EOs to be readily absorbed faster than other areas. Don’t know if that’s an old wives tail, but I’ve done it and its help tremendously. Another note about EO’s and ears. Do not ever put straight EO or even EO and carrier oil directly into your ear. Either try the remedy we just mentioned placed behind the ear or put 3 to 4 drops on a cotton ball and put that in your ear. Allowing the vapors to seep in. To put it straight inside such a delicate area, could cause you irreparable damage.

Going back to diffusing basil, it is considered a mood enhancer and energizer, by helping to restore mental alertness and fighting fatigue. It can be used in your diffuser or on the go, just carry a bottle of it with you and you can smell it straight from there to help combat adrenal fatigue by it stimulating the nervous system and adrenal cortex. It also works as a stress fighter by lowering anxiety, fear and nervous symptoms. And it’s a great headache remedy by rubbing a drop on your feet or on your adrenal glands which are located on top of your kidneys.

And finally, basil and your recipes. It’s strongly suggested that basil has the capabilities to inhibit foodborne illnesses. So a drop or two in any recipe calling for basil will not only taste amazing, it’s healthful as well! Here’s one of my favorite recipes that you could use basil with:

Eggplant Rollatini

1 lbs eggplant – sliced thin
Salt, pepper, olive oil

Spread out eggplant slices on baking sheet in single layer. Season liberally with salt and pepper, then drizzle with olive oil. Lace in a 425 degree, preheated oven for 15 mins.

While the eggplant is roasting…

1/3 cup Ricotta
1 egg
Handful of fresh chopped basil or two drops basil essential oil
1 zest of a lemon or three drops lemon essential oil
Salt and pepper to taste
3 tbs of parmesan cheese (I like a lot more than that when I make this)
8 oz mozzarella ball, sliced in as many pieces as there are eggplant

 

Mix all above ingredients except parmesan and mozzarella, together, thoroughly. Then mix in parmesan.

Spread any kind of homemade or store bought marinara sauce in a thin layer across the bottom of a baking dish. Once eggplant is done roasting and cool enough to work with, spread mildly generous amount of ricotta mixture in the mild of each slice of eggplant, roll it up and place it in the baking dish in the marinara. Spread a cup or so of marinara across the top of each eggplant roll up. Place a slice of mozzarella on each eggplant roll up. Bake in preheated oven at 425 degrees for 25-30 mins. Enjoy!

And there you have it folks. Cooking with EOs. Easier than you can imagine… You better send me some of that rollatini. Just sayin’….