How To

How to Eat Basil to Cure Acidity

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)

There it goes again--that burning sensation in your stomach or throat. Call it acid reflux, indigestion or dyspepsia, the first thing you generally do is reach for your over-the-counter antacid. If you have basil leaves in your house or garden, however, there may be a way to relieve acidity simply and cheaply without OTC remedies.

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Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Fresh or dried basil leaves, powdered basil or basil capsules
  • Hot water (optional)
  • Cottage cheese, honey, herbs (optional)
  1. Step 1

    Choose what kind of basil you would like to use. The use of basil as a remedy for stomach acidity originated in India. If you have access to a merchant who sells Indian herbs, you may want to try Indian basil, or "tulsi." American or European basil will also do.

  2. Step 2

    Decide in what form you want to use the basil: fresh, raw leaves, dried leaves or powder. Indian tulsi also comes in capsule form.

  3. Step 3

    Select the way in which you will eat the basil. To cure acidity, herbalists suggest chewing 4 or 5 fresh, raw leaves before meals. You may also make an infusion of crushed raw or dried leaves to sip slowly or simply swallow a capsule.

  4. Step 4

    Increase the effectiveness of the basil by adding other herbs to your infusion. To Indian tulsi add the skin of neem, a tropical evergreen plant, or pipal, an eastern fig, both native plants of India.

  5. Step 5

    Add mint, celery seed or fennel to an infusion of American or European basil. If you prefer your tea sweet, stir in 1 tsp. of honey.

  6. Step 6

    Add other foods to make the basil easier to ingest and more effective. Try 5 or 6 whole crushed basil leaves (about 2 tsps.) mixed with 1 cup of cottage cheese and 1 tsp. each of sea salt and black pepper. Eat 1 tbsp. of the mixture at a time.

  7. Step 7

    Drink the basil infusion four times a day. Eat the cottage cheese mixture once a day. The morning is the best time to eat it to control acidity all day.

Tips & Warnings
  • To keep excess acid from returning, remember to make other healthy choices: eat meals at regularly scheduled times, avoid fried or spicy foods, drink plenty of water and limit alcohol consumption
  • If you decide to grow your own basil, choose edible plants or seeds, rather than decorative ones. The decorative basil won't hurt you, but it won't cure acidity either.
  • An herbal cure is only temporary. If you have recurring episodes of heartburn and acidity (more than once a week), see your doctor.

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