Thiruneetru pachai (Ocimum basilicum) commonly known as Sweet Basil, has been used as a traditional medicinal plant for the treatment of headaches, coughs, diarrhea, constipation, warts, worms, and kidney malfunctions.

Sweet basil is a common medicinal herb and used in treatment of various diseases from time immemorial. The leaves of plant contain methyl chavicol, linalol, eugenol, thymol and xanthamicrol. The juice extracted from fresh leaves is folk medicine to treat respiratory disorders, fever, ear pain etc.

Aiding its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, basil helps prevent acne. Basil is also an excellent pore cleanser since it contains natural oils that help act as a natural cleanser and remove surplus oil and impurities. It also soothes and calms the skin, swelling and pain that may come with acne.

Benefits of Sweet Basil :

1. Pachilai for Acne and Pimples

Basil leaves like holy basil leaves can be used for treating acne scars. To treat acne scars, collect fresh basil leaves and crush it together along with very little boiled water to get a thick juice and apply it over the scars. Do it daily to see good results. Pimples can be treated by applying a mixture of powdered vasambu and the leaf juice of thiruneetru pachai.

2. Pachilai for Anxiety & Stress

Sweet basil has a wonderful calming scent and you can make the best use of it by drying the sweet basil flowers and leaves and making small scented sachets  of them. 

3. Pachilai for Ear Infection

Like garlic oil, basil leaves can be used for ear infection. Get the raw juice as mentioned in earlier and apply it in the inside of the ear for ear pain or ear itching. One drop/Time two times/day.

4. Pachilai for Mouth Ulcers

Chewing on the fresh basil leaves is a good remedy for mouth ulcers. Whenever you find yourself with mouth ulcers, try to get a handful of fresh basil leaves, chew slowly and swallow the leaves.

5. Pachilai for For Insect Bites

For insect bites, basil leaves can be used very effectively. Try to collect fresh leaves, crush between your hands and apply on the bitten area. This is a very simple first aid for insect bites(like scorpion sting) that is very effective.

6. Pachilai for For Skin Infection

The leaves when applied directly on the skin along with turmeric is very good remedy for minor skin infections. For the remedy take a handful of the fresh leaves and grind it along with a small piece of fresh turmeric and apply on the skin infection.

7. Pachilai for For Headache

Basil leaves when ground together with few drops of camphor essential oil and a small piece of kasthuri turmeric and applied on the forehead as a poultice is a very good remedy for sinus headaches.

8. Pachilai Leaves For Hair

Like other herbs we can make basil oil using fresh basil leaves for hair. Grind the fresh basil leaves and extract the juice. Add equal quantity of unrefined coconut oil and heat till there is no moisture left, strain and you have wonderful basil oil that can be used for all hair preparations.

9. Pachilai Steam:

If you are suffering from nose congestion try basil leaf steam. Boil water in a pan and once it comes to a boil add a handful of fresh basil leaves and few drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil to it and use it for steaming.

10. Pachilai for Vomiting

Thiruneetru pachai is a good remedy for all kind of vomiting. Especially in treating blood vomiting and vomiting due to kabam. The juice extract is mixed with hot water or the tea made out of its leaves serve this purpose.

Country of Origin: India