Six Awesome Benefits of Basil

Basil is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals which help to defend against chronic diseases including cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. There are many health benefits of basil. Basil comes from a Greek word meaning “royal.” There are more than 60 varieties of basil with sweet basil being the most common.

Basil is a commonly used herb in Italian cooking. You can purchase basil as an extract, essential oil, powder, or use the fresh plants grown in your own home to garnish and flavor your favorite dishes. Like Parsley, many people think of it as just a garnish to decorate your plate, but both parsley and basil are much more than that. And when you see the benefits, you’ll like me—not want to pass this herb up.

Here are the six awesome benefits of basil:

Improves digestion. Basil contains ursolic acid, a compound rich in both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties known to improve liver function and digestion. It also has anti-spasmodic properties, which can help prevent excess gas and stomach cramps.

Helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Traditional Chinese Medicine has used basil to treat heart disease for centuries. Research shows it can reduce high blood pressure as well as improve cholesterol levels. Holy basil contains eugenol, an oil that helps to relax the blood vessels. It’s the tannins, saponins, and flavonoids in basil that prevent the formation of free radicals in the body, which can cause damage to the arteries. These same tannins and flavonoids also help to lower levels of bad cholesterol.

Improves blood sugar levels. Basil has been proven in both human and lab studies to manage blood sugar levels especially with basil extract. It stimulates insulin production in the pancreas and inhibits glucose production in the liver.

Boosts mental health. A systematic review of four studies shows that holy basil, known as the “elixir of life” in Ayurvedic Medicine, helps to deal with psychological stress and mood conditions. Daily consumption of basil has been shown to enhance cognitive function, improve mood, and reduce stress and anxiety. One animal study showed promise with age-related memory loss. Researchers are now wondering if basil might improve symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Basil contains generous amounts of linalool and geraniol which both act on the central nervous system promoting mental relaxation and improving insomnia and anxiety.

Prevents cancer. Research suggests that different varieties of basil such as sweet basil and holy basil may have anti-cancer properties and provide supportive benefits for cancer patients. It’s the antioxidants and vitamins A and C in basil that help to neutralize free radicals that can contribute to cancer development. Laboratory studies suggest that rosmarinic and caffeic acid, which are both found in basil may inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells and induce apoptosis. Some research indicates that basil plant chemicals may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs as well as reduce related side effects. Basil extract has been shown to reduce proliferation and induce apoptosis in both hormone-positive and triple-negative breast cancer cells.

**Basil consumption appears to be safe and beneficial during treatment with chemotherapy. Plant chemicals in basil have been shown to reduce or reverse multidrug resistance, increase the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and docetaxel in both ER+/PR+ and triple-negative breast cancer cells, and protect against doxorubicin-induced heart damage. Basil is not estrogenic and can be consumed during endocrine treatment for ER+ breast cancer.

Improves overall immune system function. A traditional Ayurveda belief is that holy basil improves overall immunity when taken on an empty stomach. Researchers have verified this claim. They found that holy basil increases the T cells, which are blood cells that fight infections. Packed with vitamin C and essential oils like eugenol and linalool, basil does strengthen the immune system. The antioxidants in basil can also help fight off harmful bacteria and viruses, supporting the body’s natural defense system.

Basil has been shown to contain compounds that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are both linked to health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.

There are many ways to enjoy the benefits of basil. You can make a basil pesto, infuse it in olive oil, use it in smoothies which contain peaches, pineapple, or strawberries, toss it in salads, throw it in soups and casseroles, or simply eat it fresh off the plant. Basil is so easy to grow in your own home. Opt for fresh basil whenever possible because basil contains carotenoids such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta carotene, which are antioxidants. These plant chemicals tend to disappear during the drying process.

While fresh or dried basil in food is generally safe in moderation, high doses of basil essential oil may be risky due to a compound called estragol, which should not be consumed in large amounts. Basil may also interact with blood-thinning medications due to its high vitamin K content. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should exercise caution with basil in concentrated forms. As usual, check with your doctor before incorporating basil into your diet during pregnancy and if you are on blood-thinning medications like Coumadin.

Do you ignore fresh basil when it’s used as a garnish on your plate? Which one of these benefits could benefit your health?

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Six Awesome Benefits of Basil

For Your Health,

Ginny

Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker and writer who grew up in the halls of power in Washington, DC. She has battled cancer, ministered around the world, and served on the front lines of American culture as a counselor, educator, wellness advocate, and adjunct professor. Brant’s award-winning book, Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World, was endorsed by Chuck Colson and featured in many TV and media interviews. Unleash Your God-Given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer was released in May 2020 after her journey with cancer and was recently awarded the First Place Golden Scrolls Award for Memoirs, a finalist in Serious Writers Book of the Decade, and Second Place in both Selah Awards for Memoirs and Director’s Choice Award for Nonfiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. It recently received the Christian Authors Network’s (CAN) Gold Award for Excellence in Marketing for reaching 62.5 million people with a message of cancer prevention and survival. It was written with commentary from an oncologist and was featured on CBN’s Healthy Living Show, Atlanta Live, and CTN’s Homekeepers along with over 75 media outlets. Learn more and cancer and wellness prevention blog and book information at www.ginnybrant.com. Ginny is on YouTube