What is basil? Basil is a perennial bush that grows better in favorable climatic conditions. Therefore, this bush, which can grow up to 100 cm annually, is easily found in tropical countries. It has small black seeds, so it is easily recognizable among thousands of other shrubs.
This plant has been cultivated for more than 1000 years as medicinal grass. Albahaca is very familiar to the inhabitants of Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands. Over time, it has spread throughout the world and has become a very useful plant for its medicinal properties.
It can be used as a spice in the kitchen and as an ingredient in soaps, perfumes and even shampoos.
Composition of basil, useful substances
Basil contains many nutrients, such as vitamin K, iron, copper, manganese, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B9, amino acids, lysine, isoleucine, leucine, cystine, methodin and vitamin A.
Albahaca pesto sauce
Classic Italian sauce made with green basil. It is better to use it directly or save it in a jar in the refrigerator and dress it with olive oil.
- ALBAHACA – 100 G
- Garlic – 1 tooth
- 2 tablespoons of pinions
- Olive oil – 50 ml
- Parmesan – 50 gr.
- Salt – 0. 5 teaspoons
Lightly batter half of the pine nuts in a pan, leave the other raw half. Grill the Parmesan with a fine grater.
Use only basil leaves – rinse and dry them. Mix the pinions, basil, chopped garlic, parmesan and salt in a bowl. Crush with a blender or grind in a mortar. Gradually add olive oil.
Crush for longer if you want a thinner sauce (for example, for pasta). To spread, much should be crushed, but should be quite thick.
16 Benefits of Basil Health
It is not surprising that basil has innumerable health benefits.
1. It is anticancer
Basil contains photochemical substances, very useful to combat cancer naturally. It can prevent liver, skin and mouth cancer consuming it. This plant will help the body improve antioxidant activity and induce the elimination of cancer cells, in addition, it will relieve side effects such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
2. It has antiseptic properties.
Basil can be used to treat cuts, wounds or sores and prevent infections. It can reduce pain caused by certain diseases, such as smallpox, measles or even chickenpox. We can also crush basil leaves and apply them on the skin to treat insect bites.
3. Ant i-inflammatory.
Basil contains many beneficial nutrients and also contains Eugenol, Linalol and Citronelol, which can reduce inflammation. Thus, basil can help relieve the pain of arthritis and heart and intestinal diseases.
4. Help against depression.
Not many people know that it can use basil leaves as relaxation therapy by adding them to their morning or afternoon tea. This is because the basil contains an antidepressant. Basil will help you restore your mood, to be more relaxed and quiet.
5. Kill the bacteria.
Recent studies have shown that basil is antibacterial. It helps healthy cells to maintain their resistance to bacterial attack. Basil oil shows antimicrobial activity against a wide range of food bacteria, yeasts and molds.
6. Basil is good for the heart.
Another benefit is that it can favor vascular health. It shows elasticity in the heart muscle, contracts and relaxes, which helps maintain blood pressure. We can get these health benefits consuming it every day. It will help prevent the obstruction of blood vessels, which will ultimately avoid the appearance of cardiovascular diseases.
7. Prevents eye diseases.
People who spend a lot of time in front of the computer will take a big surprise. The benefits of eye basil are very surprising. The juice helps eliminate the redness of the eyes or the disorders of the eye capillaries. In other words, basil can cure ocular diseases caused by the lack of vitamin A. If you do not have time to juice, you can chew it. Basil leaves help get rid of eye diseases due to the attack of free radicals, such as visual degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts.
8. Help to detoxify the body.
Basil can also help the body detoxify. The consumption of basil leaves, essential oil or even juice can improve liver function. Basil also protects the kidneys (another important organ in the detoxification process) and acts as a powerful diuretic to help the body.
9. Take care of the health of gums, mouth and teeth.
We can use dry basil leaves to brush our teeth. It can be mixed with any essential oil and use it as a dentifric. Basil can keep the gums, teeth and all your mouth. It also prevents inflammation or sores in the mouth.
10. Improves the digestive system.
Basil helps to balance body pH levels and also works as a diuretic, which helps increase urine production and reduce fluid retention. It is also an effective antispasmodic, which can eliminate the cramps associated with diseases and food sensibilities that cause stomach problems. Basil is useful for relieving natural constipation, nausea and dizziness.
11. Heal the cough.
Many people ignore that one of the ingredients of the syrups or expectorants for cough are basil leaves. Take eight fresh basil leaves. Strengthen them for about ten minutes. Let them cool and bite the water. You can also add a pinch of sugar to give flavor. Another benefit to health is the relief of throat pain. Simply boil the leaves and make gargling. Basil is also a good therapy for other respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
12. Eliminate acne.
Basil’s essential oil is able to eliminate bacteria that cause acne. It is useful for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis, dye and insect bites. It also has ant i-inflammatory properties, which is good to prevent skin inflammation and relieve pain.
13. Help to deal with diabetes.
The benefits of extract are also good to reduce blood glucose levels. Basil contains many antioxidants and essential oils that also help in the reduction of sugar levels.
14. Relieve headaches.
If you have a very strong headache, try to use basil leaves. Prepare a home remedy with a tablespoon of dried basil leaves, pour them into a cup of hot water and inhale the steam for about 5-10 minutes. Little by little, the headache will disappear.
15. Help to quit smoking.
The benefits of basil do not end here. You can even quit easily consuming basil leaves. Chewing the leaves will distract you from your nicotine addiction. It is even more effective than other methods such as nicotine patch. Basil leaves have a soothing flavor that will refresh your throat, while its antioxidants will rejuvenate your body’s cells.
16. Treat insect bites.
In case of emergency, you can use basil leaves as first aid for insect bites. Use fresh juice to moisten the bite area.
As you can see, you can use basil not only as tasty seasoning in a salad or pizza, but also for many medicinal purposes. And you can find black or green basil leaves in any near store, in the salad and cabbage section.
