Beautiful-smelling basil in the home Types and benefits for a beautiful family

basil is one of the annual plants. That is, those that live a short life, but they may live longer when caring for them, and they are usually grown to benefit from their leaves and use them as aromatic herbs, and basil has a thick root and smooth oval leaves, as the length of the leaf ranges from approximately 3 to 11 cm, and its width is from 1 to 6 cm. Approximately, as it begins to branch from the middle of the stem, and small white flowers are collected on it at the top of the plant, and the length or height of the basil plant ranges from 30 to 130 cm approximately.

 

Types of basil 

 

. Cardinal

Often available in the summer, it is characterized by red flowers, soft and calm green leaves, strong roots, and a rich aroma filled with a touch of spice. It also gives a beautiful look when you put it as a decoration at home 

. African blue

This smoothness of basil has a strong aroma that resembles camphor, but all parts of the flowers, leaves and stems are edible, and can be used as a spice in soups and salads, especially those containing tomatoes and beans. The purple flowers of this basil are very good for attracting bees. 

. Basil cinnamon

Also known as Mexican basil, it has a fragrant aroma and a spicy flavor, it also contains substances that give it a flavor similar to cinnamon, and it has rather narrow, serrated, dark green leaves. It produces small pink flowers from July to September.

Cinnamon basil is grown near tomatoes and flowers to fight white flies that damage crops. It is used in preparing teas and baked goods such as cakes and pies. It is also used in pastas, salads and jellies.

. Basil bush

They are short in length, grow only about 15 cm, and are small in size, surrounded by smaller leaves. Bush basil can be grown in the winter and has a very strong flavor. Its leaves can be used to make lemonade and iced tea 

. The Greek

It is characterized by long stems and small, dome-shaped leaves. It has been used in Southeast Asia in cooking and making perfumes for centuries. It flourished in Europe in the Middle Ages and in the Mediterranean region as well.

. Holy basil

It is native to India and is rooted in Indian culture. It is commonly used in Thai cuisine with meat and seafood. In some cases, drugs can be made using it to treat many diseases.

. Basil Christmas

It has large, glossy leaves and has a wine-like scent. It can be added to all kinds of dishes, especially Italian recipes. The purple flowers it produces can make it an edible ornamental plant.

Citrus basil

It is a rare plant, and its seeds are difficult to find. It features a fragrant lemon scent with a mild citrus aftertaste. Its glossy green leaves that have a pleasant aroma, make them a refreshing addition to sauces and desserts.

. Lemon basil

It has white flowers in late summer to early fall, and green leaves with serrated edges. It is used widely for soups, especially in Arabic, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai and Persian dishes.

. Purple ruffles

Its dark purple leaves are used in pesto sauce or as a garnish. This species has won many awards for its beauty, flavor and ease of cultivation.

. Dark Opal

It has mottled and dark purple leaves, and is grown largely due to its decorative appeal and nutritional value in cooking. This variety is characterized by a high content of anthocyanins and is a potential source of red dyes for the food industry.

. Lettuce leaf

It has curly leaves that taste sweet, but has a weak flavor compared to other types of basil. This makes it especially suitable for sprinkling on salads, fish, chicken or rice 

. The big-leaved Italian 

It is the authentic Neapolitan basil of Italian cuisine. It can be used fresh or dried, or grown in the garden to fight aphids, moths, and tomato worms 

. Napolitano

A traditional spicy flavor with long, lightweight leaves 

. Sweet

One of the most popular types of basil around the world. A fragrant plant with a spicy periwinkle and leaves that range in color from green to purple, leaves can vary in size from huge lettuce-like leaves to as small as a half an inch in size.

It is easily dried and used later in soups, stews, tomato dishes, meat, fish, and egg dishes 

 

Health benefits of the herb basil

There are many potential amazing benefits of basil, some of which include:

- Reducing oxidative stress

Basil reduces oxidative stress because it contains antioxidants such as anthocyanins and beta-carotene.

Antioxidants are important for eliminating free radicals from the body, and free radicals are unstable molecules that develop as a result of metabolism and other natural processes. 

If free radicals build up in the body, oxidative stress occurs, which can lead to cell damage and possibly disease.

It is worth noting that many studies have linked oxidative stress with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancers and diabetes.

- Promote liver health

A 2005 scientific study in mice found that the antioxidants found in basil herb had a positive effect on liver health .

- Reducing depression

Eating and using a specific type of basil herb called (Holy Basil) can help reduce depression and its symptoms.

A recent study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine found that this particular type of basil has anti- depressant and anti- stress properties , and that participants who consumed basil leaves daily experienced lower levels of stress, depression and anxiety.

- Reducing blood sugar levels

Eating the aforementioned basil herb may help reduce blood sugar levels, especially if you suffer from pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Animal studies have found that consuming this herb helps prevent diabetes symptoms from appearing, such as high cholesterol or insulin resistance .

It should be noted that you should consult a doctor before including this herb in your diet, especially if you are taking blood sugar lowering medications.

- Reducing cholesterol levels

One of the benefits of the herb is that it contributes to lowering cholesterol levels in the blood by targeting the metabolism process, thus reducing the percentage of fats that in turn affect high cholesterol levels.

- Various health benefits of basil

Eating basil may also include the following health benefits:

·         Reduces memory loss associated with aging and stress.

·         It reduces the risk of stroke.

·         Contribute to lowering blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.

·         Reducing the risk of some types of cancer such as breast, colon and pancreatic cancer.

·         Limits the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay.

·         Contribute to treating stomach related problems.

·         Acne treatment

·         Increase mental alertness.

·         Treating anorexia problem.

·         Get rid of stomach gases.

·         Reducing constipation and even diarrhea.

·         Promote kidney health.

Is it safe to eat basil?

In general, eating basil is considered safe, but it is important to consider the following information:

·         Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Basil is considered safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women in reasonable quantities, but it may harm them if consumed in large quantities.

·         Children: It is safe to eat basil by children, but it should not be overused.

·         Bleeding disorders: Basil oils and extracts might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

·         Low blood pressure: Basil herb extracts reduce blood pressure levels, so people with low blood pressure should pay attention when taking it.

·         Surgery: As mentioned, basil extracts and oils may affect blood clotting, so you should stop taking it at least two weeks before undergoing any surgery.

·         Allergy: Some people suffer from allergies to basil, and it may sometimes appear when eating small amounts or when eating too much of it.