Basil is a fragrant herb commonly used in cooking. It is native to Southeast Asia but is now grown worldwide. Basil has a sweet and slightly peppery taste, adding a pleasant aroma to various cuisines.
It is a popular ingredient in Italian dishes like pesto sauce and Caprese salad. Basil is also known for its medicinal properties and is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Overall, basil is a versatile herb that enhances the flavors of many recipes.
Flavonoids like vicenin and orientin in basil leaves may help against cancer by defending the cells and chromosomes against radiation and oxidative damage. It may also remove cancer-causing substances like mutagens and carcinogens from the body. Basil leaves may act against cancers like fibrosarcoma, skin papilloma and certain types of oral cancers. However, most of these studies are performed on animals.
Basil leaves may have anti-diabetic properties. A study suggested that basil leaves may lower blood glucose levels and urine glucose levels. Basil may also reduce the risk of complications due to diabetes like retinopathy and cataract.
Basil leaves may contain several aromatic essential oils. Some aromatic compounds are linalool, eugenol, citral, and limonene.These compounds may act against bacterial infections by damaging bacterial cell walls and leading to the death of bacteria. Some aromatic compounds hinder the growth of certain bacteria.
In traditional methods, basil leaves may be used against swelling. Eugenol present in basil leaves may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory property of basil leaves. Eugenol may block the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX), an enzyme responsible for inflammation.Basil leaves may reduce inflammation by inhibiting the release of mediators (like nitric oxide) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (proteins responsible for cell-to-cell communication.
A study conducted by Mukherjee et al. In 2005 showed that essential oil from basil leaves may improve cellular and humoral immunity.Cellular immunity does not involve the production of antibodies, whereas antibodies are produced in the case of humoral immunity.
Fixed oils present in basil leaves may have anti-arthritic activity due to the ability to inhibit the substances that cause inflammation. A study on rats suggested basil leaves may help against arthritic conditions in rats.
It also assists in improving memory. Basil leaves might manage stress due to their anti-hypoxic effect (ability to reduce stress due to oxidation in the body).
Basil leaves may enhance heart health and may lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) (bad cholesterol that blocks the blood vessels). Basil leaves may also lower triglycerides, fat forms in the blood.
LDL and triglycerides may be responsible for heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Basil leaves may also slow down platelet aggregation.
