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Basil is a product that is a little underrated. We like to use it in the kitchen, but few people treat it as an ingredient that gives us health benefits. Learn the properties of basil, how it is grown and learn how to make basil pesto.

TYPES OF BASIL. HOW TO GROW BASIL?

Basil comes in many varieties, they differ in appearance, aroma and use. The most popular is:

common basil,
asian basil,
red basil,
cinnamon basil,
lemon basil.

Growing basil is quite simple. Basil in the garden should be planted in a sunny place and sheltered from the wind. Of course, you can also plant it in a pot at home or on the balcony, where it will also have a decorative function.

BASIL - PROPERTIES

Basil is a product with low energy value, it contains about 20 kcal per 100 g of the product. One of the greatest benefits of its consumption is the presence of ingredients such as flavonoids, oils, vitamins (K, A, C) and essential elements.

Basil has an antioxidant effect. It slows down the aging process of the body, which affects not only our appearance, but also our health. Antioxidants lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and many other disorders.

The ingredients contained in basil (especially oils) support the fight against bacteria, including: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica. For this reason, it is worth consuming basil during bacterial infections.

BASIL

In stores, we will most often meet with common basil, otherwise known as garden basil. It can be used even by people who are on a light diet. It has light green leaves reaching several centimeters in length.

Common basil has a positive effect on the work of the digestive tract. It facilitates digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices. A beneficial effect of this ingredient on memory, concentration and the quality of our sleep has been noted. It soothes neuralgia, migraine and rheumatic pains. This plant is a source of a large amount of salicylic acid, an ingredient used to treat acne vulgaris.

ASIAN BASIL

Asian basil is eagerly used in Ayurvedic medicine. It belongs to herbs with adaptogenic and antioxidant properties. This ingredient, among others:

improves health and facilitates the body's adaptation to unfavorable factors such as stress, high effort,
has an anxiolytic and antidepressant effect,
lowers the level of glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure, prevents the formation of atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome,
supports wound healing,
protects the body against the negative effects of industrial chemicals.

However, the use of Asian basil has limitations. Previous studies do not confirm the safety of using this plant for a longer period (over 6 weeks). In addition, it should be avoided by people planning children (including men), pregnant women, patients taking medications (including anticoagulants), suffering from stomach disorders and hypoglycaemia.

WHAT TO MAKE WITH BASIL?

Basil can be used in many dishes in the form of a spice. We especially like to combine it with tomatoes, peppers, other vegetables and cheeses. It is also perfect as an ingredient of cold sauces and meat marinades.

The most obvious way to use fresh basil in our diet is to make pesto. The necessary ingredients are:

a large bunch of basil,
50 ml olive oil,
50 g pine nuts or other nuts,
50 g of parmesan cheese,
2 cloves of garlic,
salt and pepper.

Mix all ingredients together, then season to taste. The pesto prepared in this way is most often served with pasta, but it can also be used, for example, as a spread on bread.

HERBS IN THE DIET

A large amount of herbs is one of the hallmarks of the Mediterranean diet. It is especially recommended in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome and other disorders closely related to our diet. You can find the Mediterranean diet in the offer of the Sofra Health Institute.