Basil, or Ocimum basilicum, is an aromatic herb with many culinary uses. Native to Asia and Africa, basil plants have purple flowers and edible leaves or white, green. Herbalists have basil valued for its stimulant antispasmodic and carminative properties, while recent research indicates that may have additional health benefits. Fresh basil has a higher nutritional value and offers more health benefits than supplements dried basil or basil.
Vitamin K
Fresh basil contains trace amounts of several vitamins, but the high content of chlorophyll in this herb is a rich source of vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for healthy blood clotting. Consumption of this vitamin can help reduce the risk of excessive bleeding if you have liver disease or suffer from malabsorption syndrome. Your body also needs vitamin K for bones to use calcium properly. Eat fresh basil increasing your intake of vitamin K, which can reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis. Adult males should consume 120 micrograms of vitamin D a day, while adult females require 90 micrograms of vitamin K each day.
Antioxidant Properties
Fresh basil contains high levels of various essential oils, including eugonol. Essential oils typically contain a variety of phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and polyphenols. These compounds may help protect against diseases due to its antioxidant properties. According to Purdue University, the research indicates that purple basil varieties contain more phenolic compounds than species of green basil. Purple Basil seems to offer antioxidant effects similar to Greek oregano and raspberries.
Acidic compounds healthy
The active ingredients of fresh basil healthy compounds includes various acids, including chicoric acid and rosmarinic acid. Rosmarinic acid contains healthy amino acids that provide antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, according to an article published in the January 2003 issue of the journal Phytochemistry. One study noted in December 2008 issue of Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications indicates that acid-stimulated glucose uptake chicoric insulin secretion in laboratory animals, but human studies to investigate its effect against diabetes in humans human need. Chicoric acid may also help relieve some of the symptoms of stress, including depression, by regulating the levels of dopamine in the brain, according to a September 2011 article published in Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior.
Cancer-fighting properties
Research conducted in April 2011 of the journal Pharmaceutical Biology indicates that the antioxidant properties of fresh basil could kill cancer cells. Consumption was significantly reduced Basil cancerous tumors in laboratory animals. Cancer ridden mice who ate the basil gained more weight and had greater survival rates than mice that have no basil. Eating basil also seems to protect laboratory animals from radiation damage.
