Basil was a popular herb in early modern Britain, imagined to cure a number of ailments. A juice made from Basil was used to ease pains in the eyes and ears, and it was also believed to cure dimness in the eyes. It was reported that in North Africa, the herb was used to alleviate the pain and poison of scorpion stings. This influenced contemporary medicinal thought in Britain, entrenching the popular belief that the herb was helpful against venomous stings and bites.
Please note this information is research based on historic documents….and is not modern advice for health and wellness!