The sweet basil plant is an annual, biennial, or perennial plant that may be branched or unbranched & have an erect stem and simple leaves.
Sweet Basil (Lallemantia royleana) is a plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family with the common name “sweet basil,” and in Pakistan, it is locally known as Tukham Balangu.
Those plants whose parts have uses for therapeutic purposes and making drugs are termed “medicinal plants”. These are the traditional medicines that are passed down from generation to generation in every country. Traditional medicines from plants cover 80% of health issues in developing countries.
The sweet basil plant is an annual, biennial, or perennial plant that may be branched or unbranched and have an erect stem and simple leaves. Sweet basil is indigenous to tropical Asia.
More basically, it is distributed in Afghanistan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, South West Asia, and Europe.
In Pakistan, it is grown in the areas of Bhakkar, Layyah, Hasilpur, Chishtian, and Bahawalpur.
Moving towards the chemical composition of basil seeds, it is revealed that they contain 92.75% dry matter, 3.63% ash, 25.60% protein, 18.27% crude fat, 1.29% crude fibre , 30.67% NDF, and 47.80% ADF at a moisture content of 7.82%. Another study about its chemical composition disclosed that it contains protein ( 25.60%) fat (18.27%), fibre (1.29%), alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, glycosides, volatile oils, mixed fatty acids, and terpenoids.
Health Benefits and Their Medicinal Uses:
Balangu seeds, being rich in mucilage content, can be used as a source of hydrocolloid in food formulations. Its seed gum contains ash, proteins, carbohydrates, and crude fibres. Basil seeds have health benefits against a variety of illnesses.
It has the potential to cure infectious diseases. In some regions of the world, different parts of plants were used for the treatment of intercostal pain, rheumatic pain, and fever.
Coughing is treated by using plant roots. The seeds contain linoleic, oleic, betasitosterol, palmitic, and stearic acids; their gums are composed of L-rhamnose, L-arabinose, D-galactose, protein, and uronic anhydride, which is used to cure respiratory disorders.
Boils, abscesses, and inflammation are treated by using moistened seed poultices. Basil seeds have their uses in the treatment of skin issues like skin tumours in Chinese medicine. Seeds are beneficial for treating heart problems.
They are considered carminatives and are used for soothing stomach sensations and intestinal discomforts. Pneumonia is treated by using leaf and root decoctions. In some areas, it is used for making herbal brain tonics. Basil seeds have antidepressant properties.
It relieves anxiety disorders. Used as a diuretic toner and in the treatment of neurological, hepatic, and renal conditions.
Some other health benefits include weight loss, heartburn treatment, antimicrobial effects, and its use as an antioxidant. It provides optimal amounts of calcium, iron, and magnesium in just a tablespoon of intake. It also boosts energy levels and improves bone health.
Pharmacological effects:
Lallemantia royleana possessed many pharmacological effects, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidepressant, anxiolytic, sedative, antiemetic, hypolipidemic, protective, and many other pharmacological effects.
Antibacterial screening of Lallemantia royleana essential oil showed that it significantly inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The antifungal screening of the essential oil of Lallemantia royleana showed that the oil significantly inhibited the growth of Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger.
Consumption:
Tukham balangu are something different from chia seeds. It must not be confused. The simplest way to consume basil seeds is to soak them in water.
When they swell. Take them out, blend them, or directly use them in pudding. Muslims used its seeds in drinks as flavourings, cooling agents, soothing agents, and sedatives.
The most common method seen for their consumption is to add them to milk after their swelling and drink it. It is the most beneficial thing to use in the summer because of its cooling properties.
Side effects and safety guidelines:
Basil seeds are safe to use with no side effects.