Custom Search

Basil herb nutrition facts

Basil herb, contain many notable plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties. It is still regarded as "king of the herbs" and is revered as "holy plant" in many Asian traditions.

Basil, one of the most recognizable plants among herbs, belongs to the family of Lamiaceae. Its scientific name is "Ocimum basilicum".

Asian basil (Ocinum sanctum). Large, hairy plant with pink flowers and pink leaves.	Asian basil; close up view.	Mediterranean basil (Ocinum basilicum). Note smooth dark green leaves.

Basil is originally native to Iran, India and other tropical regions of Asia and been in use for its medicinal properties of leaves and seeds. This herbal plant grows best in warm, tropical climates. Fully grown plant reaches on an average about 100 cm in height. The leaves are light green, silky about 2.5 inches long and 1 inch broad with opposite arrangement. The flowers are quite big, white in color and arranged in a terminal spike.

Different varieties of basil herb exist. "Mediterranean" cultivar is typically called sweet basil, has light green leaves as opposed "Asian basil" (Ocinum sanctum) that has large, hairy stems and stalks with pink flowers, purple or red leaves and has stronger ‘clove’ like flavor. There is also lemon basil which has "lemon" flavor.

Health benefits of Basil herb

• Basil leaves contain many notable plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties.

• Basil herb contains many polyphenolic flavonoids like orientin and vicenin. These compounds were tested in vitro laboratory studies for possible anti-oxidant protection against radiation-induced lipid per-oxidation in mouse liver.

• Basil leaves contains many health benefiting essential oils such as eugenol, citronellol, linalool, citral, limonene and terpineol. These compounds are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

• The herb parts are very low in calories and contains no cholesterol, but are very rich source of many essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.

• Basil herb contains exceptionally high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin A, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zea-xanthin. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease process. Zeaxanthin, an important dietary carotenoid selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea where it is thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions. 

• Vitamin A is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin A known to helps body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

• Vitamin K in basil is essential for many coagulant factors in the blood and plays vital role in the bone strengthening function by helping mineralisation process in the bones.

• Basil herb contains good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. 

• Basil leaves are an excellent source of iron, contains 3.17 mg/100 g of fresh leaves (about 26% of RDA). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.

Selection and storage

Basil plant can be grown in a pot in the backyard so that fresh leaves are readily available for use whenever the need arises.

In the herb store, choose fresh organic basil over the dried form of the herb since it is superior in quality and flavor. Fresh basil leaves should feature deep green in color and free from dark spots or yellowing. Dry basil leaves and seeds can also be found in these stores, but sun dried or radiation treated basil leaves may contain significantly decreased vitamin-C and carotenoid content.

Fresh basil herb should be stored in the refrigerator in airtight containers. Dried basil should be kept in a tightly sealed glass container in a cool, dark and dry place where it will keep fresh for up to six months.

Culinary uses:

Wash fresh Basil in cold running water or rinse for few minutes to remove any dust or pesticide residues. In order to keep the fragrance and flavor intact, it is generally added at the last moment in the cooking recipes, since prolonged cooking results in evaporation of its essential oils.

• Fresh or dried basil leaves are being used in the preparation of soups and dishes.

• Chopped fresh basil can impart richness to vegetable as well as fruit salads.

• Basil is one of the main ingredients in ‘pesto’, one of the popular Italian herbal sauces.

• A kind of flavor drink made of Basil seeds is popular in Asian countries.
  

Medicinal uses of basil herb

• Basil leaves contains many health benefiting essential oils such as eugenol, citronellol, linalool, citral, limonene and terpineol. These compounds are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

• An important essential oil, eugenol has been found to have anti-inflammatory function by acting against the enzyme cycloxygenase(COX), which mediates inflammatory cascade in the body. This enzyme-inhibiting effect of the eugenol in basil makes it an important remedy for symptomatic relief in individuals with inflammatory health problems like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions.

• Essential oils in basil herb have also been found to have anti-infective functions by inhibiting many pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus, Enterococci, shigella and Pseudomonas.

• Basil tea helps relieve nausea and is thought to have mild anti-septic functions.(Medical disclaimer)

<<-Back to Healthy herbs from Basil herb.    Click on this link to visit an impressive list of healthy herbs with complete illustrations of their nutrition facts, medicinal properties and health benefits.

<<-Back to Home page
Click this link to visit very informative pages on:-

• Fruits,


• Vegetables,


• Herbs,


• Spices,


• Nuts and seeds,


• Phyto-nutrients and


• Research articles on nutrition.

Custom Search