BASIL HERB

The basil herb plant is one of the ancient and popular herbal plants brimming with notable health benefiting phytonutrients. The basil herb plant, popularly known as Nchanwu in Igbo and Effirin in Yoruba, is revered as ‘holy herb’ in many cultures around the world.

Basil belongs to the family of Lamiaceae in the genus Ocimum.

Scientific Name: Ocimum basilicum.

 

 

Basil leaves holds many notable plants derived chemical compound that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties. Basil herb contains many polyphenolic flavonoids like orientin and vicenin.

Basil leaves compose of several health benefiting essential oils such as eugenol,citronellol,linalool,citral,limonene and terpineol. These compounds are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. The herb is very low in calories and contains no cholesterol. Nonetheless, its is one of the finest sources of may essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins that are required for optimum health.

Basil herbs contain exceptionally high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin A, cryptoxanthin, lutein, and Zea-xanthin. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a vital role in aging and various disease processes.

Zea-xanthin, a yellow flavonoid carotenoid compound, is selectively absorbed into the retina macula lutea (the small yellowish area of the retina near the optic disk that provides central vision), where its found to filter the harmful UV rays from reaching the retina. Common herbs, fruits and vegetables that are rich in Zea-xanthin anti-oxidant help to protect from age related macular disease ( AMRD), especially in the elderly.

Vitamin A, is known to have anti-oxidant properties that is essential for vision. Also, consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin A has been found to help the body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Vitamin K in basil is essential for production of clotting factors in the blood and plays a vital role in bone strengthening ad mineralization. Basil herb contains a good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper and magnesium .Potassium is an essential component of the cell & body fluids, which help control heart rate and blood pressure.

Manganese is used by the body as a cofactor for the anti-oxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Basil leaves are an excellent source of iron. Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, is one of the chief determinants of oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.