Herbal Medicine Guides

Basil is a member of the mint family, and its leaves make a fragrant, lightly spicy tea that people have long enjoyed after a meal. Here are a few simple ways to brew and use it.

A warm cup of basil tea

1. Add 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped basil to a cup of boiling water and steep for about 5 minutes, then strain. Sweeten with a little honey to taste and sip slowly.
2. For a gargle, brew the tea the same way, skip the honey, let it cool, and gargle.
3. For a comforting steam, add a few chopped basil leaves to just boiled water, take it off the heat, and breathe in the warm steam from a comfortable distance so you do not risk a burn.

Grower's tip: pinch off the flower buds as they form to keep basil leafy and sweet, and harvest from the top down so the plant keeps branching. Basil grows easily from seed on a sunny sill.

Shared for traditional and educational use only. This is not medical advice and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not a treatment for any medical condition. Please talk to a qualified healthcare provider before using herbs medicinally, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.