Basil, (Ocimum basilicum), also known as Saint Joseph’s Wort, is a herb belonging to the mint family Lamiaceae often used as a seasoning in cooking.
The herb is well known for its use in Italian cuisine – it is a major ingredient in pesto sauce. Basil is also commonly used Indonesian, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisine.
What are the health benefits of basil?
In fact, there are quite a number of different beliefs associated with the herb. The French often refer to the herb as l’herbe royale (the royal herb), and in Jewish folklore basil is thought to give strength while fasting.
Basil is used in traditional Tamil medicine and in Ayurvedic medicine, which is a form of alternative traditional medicine in the Indian subcontinent.
There are different types of basil, which differ in taste and smell. Sweet basil (the most commercially available basil used in Italian food) has a strong clove scent because of its high concentration of the chemical agent eugenol. Whereas lime and lemon basil have a strong citrus scent due to their high concentration of limonene.
Health benefits of basil:
- Reduce inflammation and swelling – a study presented at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s shows that Basil is to reduce swelling by up to 73%, 24 hours after treatment”.
- Anti-ageing properties – according to research basil has properties that can help prevent the harmful effects of aging. Holy basil extract was effective at killing off harmful molecules and preventing damage caused by some free radicals in the liver, brain and heart.
- Rich in antioxidants.
- Basil is also known for its DNA protection, plus antibacterial properties.
- Basil is a nutrient essential for cardiovascular health.
- It is also rich in vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, potassium, and calcium…