The wonder little herb Basil

September 16, 2015 painremedies Herbal Medicines

Basil is a leafy, fragrant herb that is easy to grow and is one of the more popular ingredient of any organic dish and salad. The wonder herb is one of the favorite herbs that are use in cooking and garnishing.

Although there are almost 60 variety of basil, the more popular ones are sweet basil basil, purple basil, lemon basil and Thai basil.

This small wonder herb has been in the world of herbal medicine for centuries now.  Basil is a traditional medicine in India and most ancient Asia.  But until now, there are still many who are using basil a source of nutrients and believe that it is still the best traditional medicine

The many health benefit of basil are:

• Basil is very low in calories and it has no cholesterol that is needed for optimum health.  High in beta-carotene, vitamin A, lutein that are important in aging and various disease processes.  Vitamin A is also and antioxidant that is very essential for vision.
• Vitamin A is also needed to prevent from lung and oral cancers.
• The herb is very rich in vitamin K that is needed to give protein to our body and mainly for thickening of the blood in our system.
• It also contains polyphenolic flavonoids that are tested as anti-oxidant for protection against radiation.  Flavonoids has anti-bacterial properties preventing the growth of unwanted bacteria in our body.
• Basil contains the compound ‘zea-xanthin’ to help protext from age related mascular disease for the elderly.  And was found out that it filters UV rays to protect the retina.
• It can also be said that basil is very rich in iron, potassium, manganese, magnesium and copper.  These are the minerals needed for the body fluid.
• Magnesium promotes cardiovascular health benefit because it improves the flow of blood to the heart and it lessens the risk of spasm or irregular heart beat.
• Basil extracts can reduce sugars and free radicals in your body have the potential to inhibit diabetes.

Basil as a medicinal herb:

• The oil in basil restricts the growth of Staphylococcus, Enterococci, Shigella and Pseudomonas bacteria that can cause a variety of disease by producing toxins.
• Basil tea are anti-septic and can relieve nausea.
• Basil contains eugenol that has been found to have anti inflammatory function that may cure rheumatoid, arthritis, osteoarthritis to name a few.
• Basil can also prevent several respiratory diseases and the symptoms of tuberculosis.
• Basil extracts can reduce sugars and free radicals in your body have the potential to inhibit diabetes.
• Basil can also prevent  atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and stroke.

Basil, herb medicine, herbal medicine, Nutrients