You may refer to skin that's affected with visible cellulite by one of its descriptive nicknames, including cottage cheese, orange peel or golf ball. All of these objects have a dimpled texture, the key to identifying cellulite. As yet, there is no singular cream, pill or ingredient proven to reduce the look of cellulite, though basil has been touted by some. At the very least, basil offers dietary benefits that make it worth a trip to the grocery store.
Basil
Basil is a leafy green herb that's been used for centuries as a healing aid as well as a food-flavoring agent. In "Grocery Gardening," author Jean Ann Van Krevelen notes that 2 tbsp. of basil contain more than 25 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin K, as well as smaller amounts of vitamins A and C. Basil also contains a healthy dose of antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols.
Cellulite
According to renowned dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad in "The Cellulite Solution," cellulite is different than the fat your body stores when you consume too many calories. Cellulite, he writes, isn't a product of an overly fatty diet; instead, it's caused by weak skin cells and connective tissue. Cellulite becomes visible when your skin deteriorates to the point that fat cells push through the dermis layer of skin and become visible beneath the epidermis. The key in repairing it is to consume adequate amounts of skin-strengthening nutrients such as glucosamine, amino acids, lecithin, essential fatty acids and antioxidants.
Basil and Cellulite
There is no scientific evidence that basil consumption reduces cellulite, nor is there evidence that topical basil can smooth skin's appearance. Although many online health and beauty forums recommend massaging basil essential oil into areas affected by cellulite, there is no peer-reviewed scientific evidence that this permanently reduces the appearance or existence of cellulite.
Other Herbs and Cellulite
While basil might not reduce cellulite, another herb may be able to help: gotu kola. According to Dr. James Duke in "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook," gotu kola is a member of the parsley family, and Duke notes that the herb helps reduce scar formation and cellulite, possibly thanks to its stimulating effect on blood flow. While scientists don't know exactly why gotu kola helps skin tissue heal, they believe it might be due to chemicals such as triterpenes that maintain the structural integrity of skin and blood vessels. Duke suggests taking between ½ and 1 tsp. of liquid extract per day.
Basil Health Benefits
Any anecdotal evidence that connects basil to a reduction in cellulite is probably due to basil's anti-inflammatory properties. In "The Chopra Center Herbal Handbook," Deepak Chopra and David Simon describe the properties of Ocimum sanctum, a basil variety referred to as "holy basil" or "sacred basil." This plant's natural chemicals act as both antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, neutralizing harmful free radicals and limiting your body's production of prostaglandins, the hormones responsible for inflammation.
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