Holy basil! 3 Reasons to include this sacred herb in your diet
09/24/2020 / By Winnie Martin / Comments
Holy basil! 3 Reasons to include this sacred herb in your diet

The herb known as holy basil may be small, but it is widely revered for its health benefits.

Holy basil (Ocimum sanctumi) is native to India but can also be found in other regions, such as West Africa, Australia and the Middle East.

Hindus consider holy basil a sacred plant as they believe it has the ability to protect their families from evil and attract good luck. Many worship the plant and light lamps near it in the morning and in the evening. In addition, holy basil – also called tulsi – has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, as many believe that holy basil leaves can effectively flush out toxins from the body.

In India, holy basil is consumed in different ways. Some drink water infused with holy basil leaves. People with fever also take a decoction made of tulsi leaves and flowers to lower their temperature. Others chew the leaves straight away, but this practice is not advised.

Whichever way you choose to use holy basil, you will definitely benefit from this herb and its many active components.

Here are three reasons why holy basil should be a part of your diet.

Holy basil promotes oral health

The leaves of holy basil contain compounds that can stop the growth of bacteria. When the leaves are taken orally, the germ-killing compounds in holy basil leaves act on the microbes responsible for cavities and bad breath.

According to a 2015 study, the antimicrobial components of holy basil are effective against Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria responsible for dental caries. The study also showed that holy basil can help heal mouth ulcers and is a great source of essential nutrients, such as vitamins A and C, zinc and iron.

Chewing large quantities of holy basil leaves, however, is not advised for two reasons. First, the leaves may contain high amounts of mercury and iron that can damage and discolor your teeth. Second, the slightly acidic leaves can cause the alkaline teeth enamel to be worn away.

Holy basil can help prevent cancer

The active compounds in holy basil can help stop the growth of cancer cells and even kill them.

A review published in Pharmacognosy Reviews reported that holy basil leaf extract can stop healthy cells from transforming into cancer cells. Meanwhile, another study showed that the oil extracted from holy basil seeds improved the survival rate of mice with fibrosarcoma by reducing the formation of tumors.

Holy basil reduces the risk of kidney stones

Holy basil can help lower uric acid levels as well as aid the kidneys in cleansing the bloodstream. According to researchers from India, holy basil can protect against kidney stones because it can stop the formation of calcium oxalate crystals. In fact, it proved to be just as effective as cystone, a common medication used to prevent kidney stone formation.

While holy basil can also be used for cooking, it isn’t as commonly used in Western cuisine. This is because compared to sweet basil, which is used in Italian and Southeast Asian cuisine, holy basil has a bitter and pungent taste. In Thailand, holy basil is often stir-fried alongside minced pork and garlic and served with rice.

Holy basil can also be made into an herbal tea that can relieve stress. Just put some dried holy basil leaves or a teaspoon of dried holy basil leaf powder in one cup of water and let it steep for five to six minutes before drinking.

Holy basil is a versatile herb that you can easily grow in your garden, but take care not to water it too much. It is also important to remove mature leaves several times weekly to encourage the appearance of fresh leaves.

Include holy basil in your diet today and enjoy its health benefits!

Sources:

OrganicFacts.net

InnovativePublication.com[PDF]

Food.NDTV.com

PhcogRev.com

AJPP.in

ThaiCookbook.tv

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