Basil - An Incredible Cure for Earache

Basil has two distinct types: the tall type with wide leaves and a thick stalk that grows past four feet or the sweet pine with small cluster leaves that don't grow much taller than about knee high. They smell the same with the tall type being a bit stronger scented. For their intrinsic values they are the same.

Basil works incredibly fast as a cure for earaches. When applied correctly it will cure any earache within ten minutes. Faster than you can get to Wal-Mart and buy some ear drops. The best way to do it is to get a small pinch of healthy dark green leaves and roll them together in your palm like a ball. Then squeeze the ball until the plant's juices comes trickling out. One good size drop is enough to do the trick. Keep your head tilted for ten minutes and massage the outer earlobe to relax the ear muscles to get the drop deeper.

Some people dip the point of the basil ball in Vicks before squeezing it into their ear in order to activate the leaf's ingredients. Then they cover the ear with cotton. I prefer not to leave anything in my ear longer than necessary. It would have to be a more persistent earache before I would go to that extreme. Also, if the leaves don't produce enough juice to get a good drop, try washing and hand drying them. They should have enough moisture to get a solid drop then.

Basil is also used as a cooking ingredient. Once again, you have the two types of leaves. The small cluster-leaf is the most common for cooking since it has a tangy pine flavor. Basil is used as a spice and has no ear curing effects when consumed.

Other uses of basil for home remedies include equal amounts of dried basil blossoms mixed with the bark of the Margosa tree and black pepper for acidity. A teaspoon with water will remove the acid through sweat and urine. For a cold and cough, here's a recipe that includes basil. Measure 300 grams basil leaves, 50 grams cinnamon, 100 grams bay leaves, 200 grams aniseeds, 200 grams cardamom, 200 grams red sandal-wood and 25 grams dried orange peel. Boil the mixture in about 16 ounces of water until reduced to about half. Then add honey and drink this twice a day. Used and thought of more for cooking, basil is an herb with many health benefits as well that's been used in home remedies over the years.