The Power of Basil
The power of this beautiful, aromatic herb: basil.
Basil has many medicinal properties:
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammation, especially in the digestive tract
Detoxification of the body
Helps balance acid in the body and restores the body's pH level.
Anti-cancer: pancreas, colon, and breast
Nutrient dense especially in vitamin K
Basil helps with nausea so it's great for people doing chemotherapy
Helps reduce memory loss due to stress and aging
Reduces depression
Increases mental alertness when used as aromatherapy
An alternative to antibiotics for infectious diseases, including any antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria
Great insect repellent such as mosquitos and ticks
How do you store basil?
Place fresh basil stems in a mason jar with a few cubes of ice water to keep the leaves fresh for a few days. Careful that your refrigerator is not too cold, the leaves could change color.
Cooking tips:
When cooking with fresh basil, use only the leaves and add at the end of cooking because heat can diminish the flavor and color.
*If using dry basil, use only ⅓ of the amount of fresh basil
Add basil to your salads:
The basil used in supplements and herbal tea is holy basil — tulsi is another name for it. The essence of basil is its distinct aroma and flavor.
For mental support:
I use basil essential oil in my diffuser... especially when I was writing The Grace of Cancer. It helped with concentration and alertness.
