Basil: Benefits for your health and contradictions
Basil is recognized for being part of that set of plants that can be used in different ways in different scenarios.
Its aroma is unmistakable and it manages to be one of the favorite plants in home gardens, since any housewife enjoys using it. Its benefits, contributions and risks, is what you will discover below so that you do not hesitate to have one at home.
Basil and its culinary benefits
Before talking about his contributions to health, let's get to know his culinary contribution. The flavor that emanates from its leaves is subtly smooth, meaning that wherever it is applied it can be tasted in a very pleasant way.
Its application has become popular thanks to Italian cuisine, although it has been on the menu of different cultures for a long time. It is one of the ingredients that can transform the simplicity of pasta into something out of the ordinary.
Apart from its application in some sauces, it is very common to see it in soups, creams and even in salads. Basil becomes a very good companion for seasoning vegetables prepared on the grill, as in the case of eggplant.
basil health benefits
We went from the contributions at mealtime, to basil benefits for comprehensive health.
aids digestion
If you are controlled by colic, gas and stomach pains, you should start consuming more basil. Basil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, which are very beneficial for dealing with these types of problems.
Its consumption helps improve the functioning of the liver and supports the digestive process, in its chemical composition is ursolic acid, which causes all these benefits.
Combat emotional conflicts
For problems such as anxiety, insomnia or depression, basil infusion becomes very helpful.
In its chemical composition it has geraniol and linalool which act very favorably on the nervous system to treat these problems.
Benefits lung work
Many are unaware of it, but basil is an excellent plant to treat flu, colds, cough, bronchitis and any other respiratory conflict. It has anti- inflammatory properties, which benefits the pulmonary flow.
It is very useful to improve the fluidity of breathing and relaxes the lung muscles that are affected by viruses, apart from that it is very efficient to combat cough. It is also applied to calm fever and gives very good results.
Helps control weight
A well-known benefit of basil is that it acts as a notable diuretic and this expulsion of liquid is favorable to avoid being overweight.
On the other hand, it also fights anxiety, which is very beneficial for impulse eaters.
Helps keep blood pressure in order
Mainly, high blood pressure and this thanks to the fact that it contains a compound called eugenol, it achieves greater relaxation in the blood vessels, favoring arterial flow.
Its other components also help in the fight against free radicals that affect the arteries.
Holy basil benefits
As for this plant, there is a great variety, but without a doubt the second most famous, after the common one, is the purple one. Here we leave you a brief list of purple basil benefits and differences with respect to other types of basil.
It has anti-inflammatory capabilities.
It is antibacterial.
Take care of the cardiac system.
It acts against respiratory and bronchial pathologies.
It is a powerful relaxant.
It is a very useful antioxidant.
As for the differences of purple basil with respect to other types, we can highlight the following:
The aroma it gives off is much more intense than that of any other basil, many cooks prefer it for its intensity.
It grows more slowly than the rest of the basils.
Its image is particularly attractive, both its leaves and the flowers that sprout at a certain stage are very striking due to their color. Some plant it more for its aesthetics than for its benefits.
Its flavor is a little more spicy and with more menthol tones than green basil.
Care you should have when consuming basil
This plant in general is very reliable and does not have great restrictions, but as with any medicinal plant we must avoid excesses. Some of the precautions that should be considered about its use are the ones that I present below.
Do not ingest the essential oil: This is not designed to be consumed orally and can greatly affect those who have stomach sensitivities of some kind.
You may be allergic: Before consuming it, consult your doctor or you could experience an allergic reaction, there are many people incompatible with basil.
It is not recommended during pregnancy: This plant has a strong chemical composition, therefore, it is not recommended for pregnancy, or while breastfeeding.
Make sure your species is edible: As we already mentioned, there are different types of basil and not all of them should be eaten, an example of this is garden basil, which can be toxic.
How can I consume basil?
Its consumption from the culinary preparation is varied, it is eaten along with all kinds of food.
Its leaves can be chewed directly in its natural state, as a kind of relaxant and for other medicinal purposes it can be ingested as follows.
infusions
The realization of basil tea is well known, just use a few leaves and we can prepare a sufficient amount of tea to treat various problems.
Its leaves are equally effective, being green or dry, this helps its conservation.
compresses
Very useful for treating wounds or insect bites, fresh crushed leaves are used to form a paste that is placed on the affected area and secured with clean gauze.
oils
It can be placed in an aromatic diffuser or inhaled directly for a few seconds from the bottle.
As a curious fact about basil, its aroma is so powerful that it serves to repel mosquitoes, since they repel the aromatic compounds it possesses.
In short, there are no excuses for not planting one at home and if you are not a careless plant lover you can buy it in the supermarket.