Is it possible to eat basil during pregnancy?

Basil is a well-known and loved spice by many. Its various types are added to first and second courses, salads, confectionery and drinks, and used for canning. The rich chemical composition gives the plant medicinal properties. Let's figure out whether basil can be used as a medicine for pregnant women.

Is it possible to eat basil during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a woman's immune system changes to prevent rejection of the fetus. During this period, the expectant mother is susceptible to various respiratory diseases.

Basil has immunomodulatory, antipyretic, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, improves well-being and helps cope with infection:

• for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and cough, plant-based inhalations are used;
• rinsing with infusion disinfects the oral cavity, treats the upper respiratory tract, throat, strengthens teeth and gums;
• Insect bites, skin inflammations, and eye fatigue are eliminated using lotions based on basil infusion or oil.

During pregnancy, basil is useful primarily as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent for external use.

Why basil should not be consumed during early pregnancy?

In the form of tea and infusions, basil is not recommended to be taken during pregnancy - it increases uterine contractions and can cause miscarriage or premature birth in later stages. The plant increases blood pressure and is therefore contraindicated for hypertension.

Important! Due to the high content of essential oils, the spice has a negative effect on fetal development.

Can be used in the form of inhalations, lotions and gargles. The woman is responsible for the consequences of uncontrolled use of the plant.

Useful properties of basil

The strong spicy aroma of the plant is due to the high content of essential oil, up to 3%, which contains camphor, cineole, ocimene, eugenol, etc.

The plant contains:

• vitamins B, C, PP, P, carotene;
• organic acids: citric, malic, etc.;
• phytoncides;
• glycosides;
• saponins;
• tannins;
• minerals: potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, selenium, copper, cobalt, etc.;
• unsaturated fatty acids;
• polysaccharides;
• anthocyanins in purple varieties.

Basil has a wide effect on human organs and systems:

• enhances the secretion of digestive glands, increases appetite, fights constipation;
• helps with poisoning and dysbacteriosis, protects beneficial intestinal flora;
• used for heart failure, strengthens the heart;
• increases the tone of vascular walls, treats varicose veins in the absence of thrombophlebitis;
• relieves migraine attacks, protects nerve cells;
• improves long-term memory, increases concentration, speed of decision-making and adaptation to stress (such properties have been found in holy basil, or tulsi);
• used to treat wounds of various origins, burns, bedsores, eczema, fungal skin infections;
• helps cope with diseases of the throat and oral cavity;
• relieves the symptoms of rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis.

During normal pregnancy, it is allowed to add several leaves of the spice to food per week, but due to possible negative consequences, it is better to completely abandon basil during this period.

Effect on the fetus

Thanks to iron and folic acid, basil improves oxygen supply to the fetus and prevents the development of anemia. On the other hand, due to the large amount of essential oils, there is a risk of disrupting the development of the child.

If there is a possibility of miscarriage, you should discard the spice or use it only externally. The lack of vitamins must be replenished from other sources.

What symptoms does it help with?

Taking medications during pregnancy is strictly limited, and here basil comes to the rescue:

• the use of inhalations and rinses will help cope with colds;
• lotions based on decoction or infusion will help heal wounds and insect bites;
• The plant will relieve swelling that occurs due to increased stress on the legs and prevent the development of anemia.

The use of basil as a medicine is permissible in late pregnancy in the absence of contraindications, the risk of premature birth, and only after consultation with a doctor.

How to use

There are many recipes for medicinal and tonic remedies with basil. Let's look at the most basic ones.

Decoction

It is used for colds for inhalation, gargling and mouthwash, for headaches, and cramps.

The decoction is prepared as follows:

1. Pour 15 g of dry leaves into 0.5 liters of boiling water.
2. Place in a water bath and heat for 15–20 minutes.
3. Cool and strain.
4. Pour into a glass container, cover with a lid and place in the refrigerator.
5. Store no longer than 1 day.

Use as lotions, rinses, and eye washes.

Take 100 ml orally 3 times a day.

Juice

Take a fresh plant, cut off the roots, wash, dry and squeeze out the juice.

Reference. To preserve the juice longer, it is frozen.

Used for colds and to treat oral diseases:

1. For a cold, 1 tbsp. add 1 tbsp warm milk. l. basil juice and drink before bed. Take one time or for 5 days.
2. When rinsing the mouth and throat: 1 tbsp per 100 ml of water. l. juice Rinse 3 times a day until symptoms disappear, but not longer than 1 week.

Frozen juice in portions is removed from the freezer if necessary.

Tea

Basil tea strengthens, tones, relieves migraine attacks:

1. Rinse the teapot with boiling water.
2. Put 1 tsp in it. dried basil leaves or a handful of fresh ones.
3. Pour 250 ml of boiling water and let it brew for 10–15 minutes.

Add honey, lemon, sugar to taste.

Infusion

It is most convenient to prepare the infusion in a thermos. It is better to do this in the evening and leave it to brew until the morning. Any berries and fruits, raspberry, currant, and cherry leaves are added to the drink.

Vitamin strengthening infusion with rose hips:

1. Place 1 tbsp in a thermos. l. dry basil and 3 tbsp. l. rosehip.
2. Pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, close and leave for 1-2 hours.

Take 100 ml 3 times a day, before meals.

Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory infusion:

1. 2 tbsp. l. Pour basil into a thermos and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water.
2. Close and leave to saturate for 1-2 hours.

Take before meals, 3 times a day, 100 ml for 1-2 days until symptoms relieve.

Reference. In this situation, it is better for pregnant women to use other medicines or plants. For example, chamomile - a mild antipyretic, strong anti-inflammatory, expectorant and disinfectant - is allowed during this period.

The reaction to taking herbal medicines is individual: for some, the negative symptoms of the disease will disappear quickly, while for others it takes longer. If you are allergic to basil, you should not use it.

Consultation with a doctor is required: he will determine the feasibility and safety of using the plant for medicinal purposes.

Restrictions and contraindications during pregnancy

Despite the many positive properties of basil, a number of contraindications limit or completely exclude its use during pregnancy:

• uterine hypertonicity and threat of miscarriage;
• allergic reactions;
• impaired blood clotting;
• cardiovascular diseases (thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, hypertension, coronary heart disease, unstable blood pressure);
• diabetes;
• disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system;
• late toxicosis.

If a woman has never eaten this plant, it is not advisable to start using it during pregnancy.

Read also:

Fine-flowered basil - uses and beneficial properties

Is it necessary to soak basil seeds before planting and how to do it correctly

How many days after sowing does basil sprout and what should the sprouts look like?

Conclusion

Basil is a plant with increased biological activity. It is not used in the first trimester due to the high risk of miscarriage; in the later stages, be sure to consult a doctor. It is important to assess all the risks and possible negative consequences so as not to harm yourself and the baby.