Basil Leaf

What is a basil leaf?

Basil is more than 4,000 years old. Basil was thought to have almost magical powers for a long time. It was used to treat snake bites and was thought to give people strength when they fasted for religious reasons. It was found in Egyptian mummies because this herb was used to preserve the dead in ancient Egypt. In ancient Greece, basil was a sign of sadness. Basileus phuton, which means "magnificent, royal, or kingly herb," was the name of the plant.

Basil is often called the "King of Herbs" these days. It used to be called the "herb of poverty" because people thought it would protect the poor. In India, this plant was thought to be a strong protector. They grew it around their temples and put it with the dead to protect them in the afterlife. Basil was thought to be a sign of the devil in Crete. They put this plant on their window sills to keep this evil away. Basil was also once thought to be a sign of purity. If the herb died in a woman's hands, she was seen as not being clean.

Many doctors in the Middle Ages thought basil was poisonous. At the same time, some people thought that basil could "lift the spirit" and "clear the mind." Basil wasn't brought to Britain until the 1600s, and the British brought it to North America after that. Today, it is grown all over the Mediterranean area and in California.

How do I use basil leaves?

Pasta dishes, salads, and soups are just a few of the foods that may be topped with basil leaves. Add it to sauces. Homemade pesto and tomato sauce, as well as many pasta sauces, both benefit from the addition of basil.

Basil leaf benefits:

Most people know that sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is used in cooking. If you've used one of my meal plans, you may have noticed that I put it in everything. The Italian roots of my husband have rubbed off on me, and I love how sweet and fragrant basil is. But all kinds of basil have many other benefits besides being delicious. It is very healthy because it has a lot of vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids), vitamin K, and vitamin C. It also has a lot of calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium. 

◉ Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory: Basil is good for your health because it can help get rid of free radicals by acting as an antioxidant. Polyphenols and phenolic compounds, which are two types of antioxidants, can be found in large amounts in sweet basil. Research from 2012 showed that the antioxidants in basil make it a great choice for helping with diseases that cause inflammation.

◉ Antibacterial and Antimicrobial: Basil is also good at killing bacteria and other microorganisms. In a 2013 study, basil essential oil was used to see how well it worked against Escherichia coli bacteria that were resistant to many drugs (E. coli). It killed every strain of E. coli used to test the basil essential oil. It was also shown to be anti-microbial, which means it can kill mold, yeast, and bacteria.

◉ Protect your stomach: Holy basil has been shown to improve the health of your body in many ways. It can help keep you from getting sick, lower your blood sugar and cholesterol, ease joint pain, protect your stomach, and protect your joints.

◉ Ease inflammation and joint pain: Imagine being able to deal with stress, anxiety, and inflammation with a cup of tea made from the leaves of holy basil. Holy basil helps with all of these things because it is an adaptogen with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Even people with arthritis or fibromyalgia can benefit from it.

Where can I buy basil leaves?

Buy basil leaves from the health food store in the USA, Alive Herbals.

Basil leaf information (at a glance):