Basil is a wonder herb that’s been used for many millennia. It is considered sacred in some nations, especially India. Though basil has been popularly used in folk remedies, science has discovered that it’s some active ingredients that impart medicinal properties to the herb.
What makes basil great for your skin?
Its antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties play an significant role in fighting acne. Well, it also has other properties which have a beneficial impact on your health. For instance, consuming fresh leaves of basil may improve your immune system. And, it has to be noted here that your internal functions have a lot to do with acne. So, it is a great way to target the root cause of acne, i.e. excessive oil production, which means that you may eliminate acne naturally. Now, coming back to basil, it is great to know that basil was used as a treatment for depression, high blood pressure, arthritis and eczema among other ailments.
Extracts from basil leaves and oil from basil seeds
Both are known to be anti inflammatory. It is said that the seed oil contains linoleic acid, which impedes some pro-inflammatory processes. Science shows that sebum, i.e. skin oil contains lower levels of linoleic acid, meaning that sebum favors the development of acne bacteria. Further, the highly effective antimicrobial property of basil destroys these acne-causing bacteria and helps heal your acne lesions.
Are there some specific formulas or recipes to use basil?
As we just discussed, consuming some fresh basil can boost your immune system. But, basil is more effective as a topical treatment for acne. The simplest way to use basil for acne removal would be to apply basil tea on your skin. Mix 2-3 tsp of dried leaves with a cup of water, boil for about 15 minutes, strain and cool. If you use fresh basil, be sure you crush the leaves to release its natural oils. Use a cotton ball to dab on the tea on your skin. Follow this twice per day and your complexion will become noticeably smoother and brighter. You can refrigerate the fresh tea for a week.
Another interesting technique is to steam you face over a container of warm water mixed with a few basil leaves. Ten minutes of facial steaming will do. It will open the skin pores and loosen the debris to provide a deep cleansing effect. After steaming, splash cold water to close the pores. You may also make a face mask by mixing basil and neem leaves in equal ratio, and grinding them to make a smooth paste. Spread the paste in your face, avoiding the eye area, and wash off after about 15 minutes. Some people also indicate rubbing good basil powder on the face to control oil, especially during summer.
Make sure that you are not allergic to basil. As you may see, basil provides a variety of methods for acne treatment at home. So, why wait? Try your hands to find out if it is the remedy you’re looking for!
