Basil Seeds (Sabja Seeds): Benefits & side effects

Basil seeds which are also known as Sabja seeds are one of the most favorite consuming seeds in India. From desserts to drinks, people have initiated the use of basil seeds to a greater extent.

Take a look at basil seeds, they look the same as chia seeds in appearance. Nutrition-wise, basil seeds are extremely healthy and beneficial on various accounts. Winning the title of a superfood, basil seeds are extremely rich in proteins, healthy fats, carbs, dietary fibers, minerals, and vitamins for your body. The carbohydrate level in them is super amazing. They alone hold 42% of carbohydrates and 20% of the protein in them. Let’s take a dive in-depth about this super powerpack ingredient.

How to use Basil Seeds?

People all over the world have discovered multi-health benefits and have adopted using them in different food and dessert techniques. Some prefer them as a garnish in their baked loaves of bread and desserts. But one of the best ways to consume them is to pre-soak them in water. This adds up the nutrition value of the seeds to double. They are full of antioxidants and extremely healthy for your body.

Benefits of Basil Seeds

“Health is Wealth”. Well talking in terms of the benefits, let’s go round and quickly cover up on the great benefits of Sabja seeds. 

Health Benefits of Basil Seeds

1. Acidity Problem

A little extra dose of oily food or maybe some delicious unhealthy snack, your stomach might get some serious acidity problems due to these unhealthy food items, well, there’s nothing to worry now on if you ever had something extremely heavy in your meals and suffer from acidity problems, try taking a hand full of Sabja seeds soaked in water.

Consume it by mixing in milk or water, not only does it reduce the acidity problem but also calms down the inner heat of your stomach. Consume it after or before meals. In both the ways, Sabja seeds work well in reducing the acidity from your stomach.

Improves digestion

It’s extremely important to maintain the system properly. With a clean digestive tract, you can avoid those painful and hurting bowel movements. Sabja seeds clean your inner stomach and push off all the waste and toxins from your inner system very easily.

Make sure you soak these seeds at least 20 minutes in water before consuming it. It has some guaranteed relief to your inner stomach and digestive problems.

The great anti-inflammatory agent

Sabja seeds also hold the ability to resolve your inflammatory problems, pains and swelling in the body. Ayurveda defines the use of sabja seeds as one of the best and versatile ingredient to bring down the development of plaque in your body. It reduces swellings and passes down some relief in your blood vessels. 

Helps in oral health

Oral health solutions aren’t so easy and handy. But sabja seeds have come down to the rescue of these gum and oral health issues as well. From cavities, mouth ulcers to plaque, Sabja seeds do a wonderful job in killing down of the bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other mouth microbes.

It is simple to follow and get into a routine consumption of sabja seeds in your lifestyle. Simply consume a teaspoon of presoaked sabja seeds every morning in empty stomach. Make sure that you chew them and not swallow. For oral benefits, it is advised that sabja seeds should be chewed.

Vaginal Infection

This one needs a little more consultation and we agree on that but as a general piece of honest of information, sabja seeds are extremely helpful for women suffering from vaginal infections and problems.  From bladder infection to gonorrhea problems, sabja seeds can hopefully help you to get some natural relief. But despite all of that, make sure you consult your doctor in case of vaginal infections.

Cure Type 2 Diabetes

The struggle with all those suffering from diabetes type 2 is real. Craving for sweets and not eating them indeed requires a lot of patience. Studies have proved that sabja seeds can help to keep your sugar levels low and maintained to an extent.  It gives you the strength and energy to survive the whole day and also regulates down the spikes if any in the bloodstreams. 

Skin Benefits of Basil Seeds

Blemish-Free Glowing Skin

Blemish spots can be very irritating and annoying. They can even turn out to be quite stubborn on your face. But basil seeds can easily work on them and clear it for you to enjoy a fresh clean face.

Simply beat an egg white with basil leaves juice and apply on the affected area and leave it for 30 minutes. After some time wash off with lukewarm water and gently dry your face. Repeat this for at least twice in a week to see quick results.

Pimples, Blackheads, And Acne

Consuming some raw basil leaves can actually save you from lots of pimple and acne breakouts. Try eating them in the morning or just after lunch. But it still sounds little difficult, then you can always opt-out to feed your skin from outside.

Make a paste of powdered basil leaves with neem powder, turmeric powder, and some lemon juice.  Apply the concoction on your face and let it dry for some time. Wash off with cold water and pat dry. Apply this face mask once every week to enjoy the best results.

Anti-aging

Once you enter your 30’s, your skin starts aging around the corner. To avoid and protect your skin from getting mature skin marks, you can use basil leaves to ward off your mature skin texture.

Prepare a paste of dry basil leaves, coconut oil drops and milk on your face. Wash it off after 10 minutes. Follow this routine at least twice a week to see amazing results.

Read More, spermidine based foods for anti-aging and healthy hairs.

Lighten Your Skin Tone

Sabja seeds have also been recently discovered to lighten up your skin. All thanks to the abundance of antioxidants in it.  The ursolic acid present in it penetrates deep into your skin and clears out all the excess dirt and oil from your pores. It even works on the complexion lines of your face and hyperpigmentation to eradicate them completely.

Make a paste of 1 tablespoon of sabja seed leaves powder with 1 teaspoon of sandalwood powder and some lemon juice. Apply this thick paste on your face and leave it for at least half an hour. Wash off with cold water. Repeat this routine twice in a week to enjoy natural glow in your skin.

Also, Read skin whitening home remedies

Tighten The Skin

We have discussed enough that how much of antioxidants they hold and the benefits that come from them. Well, apart from antioxidants, they also have flavonoids in them which are an effective catalyst to tighten your skin. They fight skin radicals and prevent them from further oxidation. In addition to this, they also help in cell regeneration and shrinkage of pores. The best way is to use them as a toner to tighten up your skin.

Add a tablespoon of sabja seeds in warm water and let it stay there for at least one hour. Strain the water and store it in a container. Use this water as a toner on your face whenever needed. You can visibly see your pores shrinking down and aging effects getting lighter in few weeks.

Read More, homemade natural toners for dry and dull skin

Hair Benefits of Basil Seeds

For Dandruff

Be it summer or winter, dandruff has become one of the major hair problems for most of us. But all thanks to the basil leaves, it helps in reducing as well as controlling dandruff from your scalp.

Mix a few drops of coconut oil and basil oil and massage with this mixture. If you do not have basil oil, then you can definitely go on for the raw sabja seeds and let it soak overnight in coconut oil. Message the oil in your scalp gently and leave it there for 2-3 hours. Wash off with warm water.

Read More, Natural remedies for dandruff treatment at home

Basil Seeds for Hairfall Control

One of the effective ways to stop and control your hairfall in this extreme climatic condition is that, Mix up the amla and basil powders in equal amounts and make a paste with cold water. Don’t apply this instantly on your scalp. Leave it overnight after preparation and apply it the next morning. Message your scalp first with some warm coconut oil and then apply this mask on your hair. Leave it for 30 minutes and then wash it away with cold water. This effect not only does reduce hairfall but also prevents premature hair greying.

Read More, best food for hair growth

Along with benefits, there are few side effects too. Without discussing them we can’t suggest using Sabja Seeds. Here are few side effects of Basil Seeds or Sabja seeds.

Side effects of Sabja seeds

Every great thing has some cons as well. Here are some side effects of sabja seeds:

• Overconsumption can make you bleed unnecessarily.
• If you have undergone any surgery, avoid eating sabja seeds as it does not let the blood clot soon. 
• If you are someone with low blood pressure, avoid consuming sabja seeds as it drops more pressure from your body.
• Not suitable for kids due to the high content of estragole chemical present in them. They can cause some variations in small children.

We hope this blog was a helpful guide for you to know some basic benefits and side effects of basil seeds. But always take care that big problems might need in-depth solutions and please consult your doctor in case of serious issues.

Stay healthy, stay happy.