Like other herbs in the mint family, basil settles the stomach, improves appetite, and is a natural disinfectant. Basil is known for its many varieties, many with distinct aromas that come from different qualities in the essential oils contained in the leaves.
Basil is such a widely used kitchen staple that it may not occur to you to think
of it as a tea herb. During the summer months, when basil is growing abundantly
the fresh leaves do indeed make a very refreshing, mildly stimulating tea that
is great served hot or iced.