Basil, the king of herbs! Basil provides many unique health benefits. Most of the health benefits of basil come from two parts of the basil plant: basil's flavonoids and oils. Studies have shown that basil's flavonoids and oils each provide a multitude of health benefits. Basil is being studied all around the world today due to its unique properties. Basil is a flavorful, leafy green herb that originated in Asia and Africa. It’s a member of the mint family, and many different varieties exist. Popular as a food seasoning, this aromatic herb is also used in teas and supplements which may provide a range of health benefits. Basil is not only a popular folk remedy for ailments like nausea and bug bites but also widely utilized in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine and other holistic practices worldwide.
There are many different varieties of Basil Including...
- Sweet basil: The most widely grown, popular basil, renowned for its use in Italian dishes. Commonly sold dried in supermarkets. Has a licorice-clove flavor.
- Bush or Greek basil: Has a strong aroma but mild flavor, so it can be substituted for sweet basil. Forms a compact bush with small leaves and grows well in a pot.
- Thai basil: Has an anise-licorice flavor and is commonly used in Thai and Southeast Asian dishes.
- Cinnamon basil: Native to Mexico. Has a cinnamon-like flavor and scent. Commonly served with legumes or spicy, stir-fried vegetables.
- Lettuce basil: Features large, wrinkled, soft leaves with a licorice-like flavor. Works well in salads or tossed with tomatoes and olive oil.
Anti-Inflammatory?
Yes, basil has anti-inflammatory properties!
Basil contains essential oils like eugenol, linalool, and citronellol, which can reduce inflammation. Basil also contains phytochemicals like flavonoids, phenols, and tannins, which can help with inflammation. One of basils oils, eugenol, has been the subject of extensive testing and studies. Eugenol has been shown to block the actions of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase which causes inflammation. This is one of the same enzymes that many over the counter anti-inflammatory medications inhibit. Basil does no damage to the liver. Due to the cyclooxygenase inhibiting nature of basil, this food is considered an anti-inflammatory food.
Breast Cancer Prevention?
Basil may have some potential benefits for helping fight breast cancer. It induces a programmed cell death in two types of breast cancer cells. In both hormone receptor positive and triple negative cancer cells. Basil components can reduce or reverse multidrug resistance in breast cancer cells. Basil can also help reduce the chance of cancer due to its high levels of lutein. Lutein has been associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer in epidemiological studies. Basil can increase the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy drugs like Adriamycin, Taxol, and Taxotere. Basil can protect against heart damage caused by Adriamycin. Basil is not estrogenic and can be consumed during endocrine treatment for ER+ breast cancer.
Help Lower Stress Levels
Yup, Basil also helps in the fight against stress. Basil, also known as holy basil or Tulsi, is an adaptogen that can help calm the body's stress response. Adaptogens can help regulate cortisol levels, which can improve mood and stress response. Research shows that daily basil consumption can improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and enhance cognitive function. Basil can help reduce cortisol levels and induce better sleeping patterns. Basil may even support a healthy thyroid gland, which can affect the HPA axis pathway (which is a chain reaction of hormones that helps the body respond to stress).
Heart Disease
How can a mere herb help us defend against disease? Basil has disease-fighting antioxidants. Scientists now believe that antioxidants can help to fight heart disease. This is primarily due to the plant's phytochemicals, nutrients and compounds that can help stave off chronic diseases. These phytochemicals are found in basil leaves essential oils.
Antioxidants help prevent damage from free radicals. Epidemiologic studies have found much lower coronary heart disease mortality, in people who eat foods with high amounts of antioxidants. It is believed that antioxidants even help repair cell damage, such as that to the inner layers of the arteries.
Improve Digestion & Gut Health
Basil can help balance the levels of acid in the stomach. Basil also helps to restore the proper PH level in the digestive tract. Both of these effects help improve one's digestion by aiding healthy bacteria. Every human being has millions of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract, which aid in digestion. When ones PH level is off, or too much stomach acid is present, digestion suffers. Basil also helps to decrease the levels of harmful bacteria present in the digestive system. Historically basil was also a stomach cramp therapy. Basil also contains ursolic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help protect the liver and improve digestion. Basil's anti-spasmodic properties can help prevent stomach cramps and gastric discomfort. Basil can help relieve bloating and excessive gas, help with loss of appetite, & help with acid reflux. Basil has even been used traditionally to help kill stomach worms or parasites.
Blood Sugar & Diabetes Control
Basil Extracts or essential oils help to reduce blood glucose. Holy basil is one type of basil that is particularly effective at regulating glucose levels in diabetic People. Basil extract has hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects.
These effects may be due to the high levels of flavonoids and phenols in basil, which can:
- Prevent damage to pancreatic β-cells
-
Reduce the occurrence of type 2 diabetes
-
Protect against complications from hyperglycemia
Holy basil, also known as tulsi basil, may help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood glucose levels. Studies have shown that:
- 2,500 mg of holy basil per day can lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
- Holy basil leaves can significantly decrease fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels.
Basil leaves contain phenolic acids, flavonol-glycosides, fatty acids, and antioxidant compounds. Studies have shown that basil leaves can:
- Lower blood glucose levels.
- Improve insulin sensitivity.
- Treat the chronic hyperglycemic effect of diabetes.
- Reduce endothelial dysfunction markers.
Basil may be prescribed as an adjunct to dietary therapy and drug treatment in mild to moderate noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). However, more research is needed to fully understand the impacts of different types of basil on blood sugar health.
Bringing Cholesterol Down
So YES, Basil Extracts reduce cholesterol and triglyceride in the human body. This offers a promise to help to prevent cardiovascular disease in a world where heart disease is a leading cause of death. Too many triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in the body can cause atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. The fact that basil reduces both of these risk factors makes basil a heart-healthy food.
Protect Your Liver
A University Study has shown that basil has hepatoprotective effects, meaning that basil helps to protect the liver. Basil's antioxidant properties help to protect the liver. Holy basil helped protect lab animals from liver damage due to acetaminophen. Further studies are needed to confirm basil's role in protecting the liver. Basil contains flavonoids and other bioactive compounds that may act as antioxidants to treat liver injury. Basil extracts can increase antioxidant enzyme levels, which may help protect the liver from damage. Fat build-up in the liver can lead to liver disease. Keeping the Liver healthy is also a big factor in keeping cholesterol low as it removes the cholesterol from your body.
Is Basil Antimicrobial?
Yes, basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) has antimicrobial properties. Each species of basil has different concentrations of eugenol, linalool, estragole, limonene, citral, methyl chavicol, and methyl cinnamate. Lemon basil, for example, has mostly citral and limonene phytochemicals present in its essential oils, while Italian large-leaf basil has mostly linalool and methyl chavicol. In nature, these phytochemicals protect the plant from invasive bacteria and fungi, and they do the same in the human body. Basil has long been used in traditional medicine to fight bacterial infections. Basil essential oils have been used in food products, dental and oral products, and perfumery. They can inhibit the growth of a wide range of bacteria, yeast, and mold. The main component of basil essential oil is linalool. Basil oil can be used to control bacteria in food. For example, basil oil can inhibit the growth of S. Enteritidis in fermented pork sausage.
Basil & Arthritic Pain
Basil is used in Ayurvedic medicine, a holistic approach to treating arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Basil has several properties that may help with arthritis, including anti-inflammatory effects, antioxidant content, and antibacterial properties. Basil's essential oils like eugenol, linalool, and citronellol, which can help reduce inflammation. Basil contains antioxidants like anthocyanins and beta carotene, which help remove free radicals from the body. Oxidative stress can lead to cell damage and disease, and has been linked to rheumatoid arthritis. According to a study in India, several types of basil extracts, notably holy basil, and hoary basil can reduce swelling and pain. The study found that the extracts of these basil plants reduced joint swelling by as much as 73 percent. Lead researcher Vaibhav Shinde noted basil had about the same effect as an anti-inflammatory drug named diclofenac. This same research points towards eugenol as being responsible for basil's anti-inflammatory effect. Eugenol is one of the phytochemicals present in basil's essential oils.
Basil Supplements
Capsules
Basil supplements may help relieve the symptoms of various conditions. Holy basil is particularly useful in capsule form, offering many therapeutic benefits and high nutritional value from vitamins A and C, as well as calcium, zinc, and iron. Basil supplements may help reduce stress and anxiety, improve memory, and increase energy. Research shows it is safe for most people to take 500mg of holy basil twice a day.
Essential Oils
Using basil essential oil may decrease stress levels and reduce anxiety. Studies show basil yields many medicinal benefits like improving circulation, healing respiratory discomfort, and relieving cold or flu symptoms. People often blend basil oil with two or three drops of other oils like lemon or eucalyptus for added benefits. Diluting a few drops with one tablespoon of a carrier oil may help relieve congestion and works best when applied to the chest.
Basil Tea
Tea made from basil leaves may have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, help reduce stress and anxiety, and even ease digestive issues. It's easy to make at home and costs very little. You can make holy basil tea using the leaves, flowers, or dried leaf powder. The herb can also be used to make freshly brewed tea by placing 2 to 3 teaspoons of holy basil in a cup of boiling water and letting it steep for 5 to 6 minutes and sugar or honey to taste. I like basil and mint together.
Basil in Cooking
Basil comes fresh or dry, but fresh is often better for cooking. The herb is a common addition to pesto and tomato-based sauces, thanks to its pepper and mint or citrus flavor profiles. Adding basil to meals may help with anxiety, stress, and memory. Because it has a strong flavor, a few pinches will do. People who dislike the flavor of basil but want to reap the benefits, may opt for capsuled supplements instead.
Links to my Favorite Basil Products
* * *Basil is generally safe when consumed in foods or taken as a supplement. It's crucial to note, however, that basil contains estragole, a chemical that can increase liver cancer risk. Most people tolerate basil well topically, and it is considered safe for skin in concentrations of up to 6% for approximately four months. At this time, however, there is little research around basil in aromatherapy or its side effects. Evidence suggests basil may lower blood pressure but could be dangerous for people with already low readings. People with clotting disorders or those taking blood thinners should avoid it because basil slows clotting. And as always consult your Dr. before using any type of supplement that may counteract or contradict any medications you may currently be taking.
Add comment
Comments