According to Wikipedia, herbs are not only known as fragrant plants but also as carriers of health and medicinal benefits. Generally, herbs are plants with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring, fragrances, garnishing foods, and medicinal advantages. Culinary use invariably distinguish herbs from spices, vegetables, and other plants.
We have a thousand and one herbs emanating from around the world particularly in Asia and Italy. These herbs possess a wide range of Color, Strong taste, and Fragrances diversifying from Pungent, Peppery, Zesty, Minty, Grassy, Woody, Sweet, Onion, Citrusy, Fresh to Cool. Some examples include; Sage, Lemongrass, Cilantro, Basil, Chives, Dill, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley, and Mint.
The question of which are the best herbs would not be truly unraveled by anyone because all the herbs, from small to large, mint color to dark green to purple, ruffled and unruffled, fresh to dried, have their distinctive medicinal and health usefulness. Herbs can either be used fresh or dried, the fresh herbs can be stored in the fridge or kept in a jar on the countertop for 10 to 14 days while the dried herbs can be kept longer than 14 days to months in an airtight container
In this article, we shall discuss only Basil leaf.
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Basil happens to be one of the oldest herbs known to mankind that is quite common and traditional in the Mediterranean, Thai and Italian cuisine. Basil belongs to the mint family and adds flavor to meals with additional health benefits. In diet, basil can provide vitamins, minerals, and a range of antioxidants. Basil is highly nutritious with sweet and peppery flavor also botanically known as Ocimumgratissum or Ocimum. This genus is particularly diverse and includes annuals, non-woody perennials, and shrubs native to Africa and other tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
Basil leaf is used for flavoring in foods but the parts of the plant that grows above the ground are used to make medicine for snake bites, stomach spasms, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, kidney conditions, fluid retention, headaches, insect bites, warts, and worm infections. Women who just gave birth sometimes use it to promote blood circulation and start the flow of breastmilk, though lots of studies need to be done to verify these claims.
If it weren't for its distinctive smell, it would be very difficult to recognize all the different kinds of species of Basil leaves estimated to be over 50 and above but not all are culinary.
Below are 15 common types of basil leaves used for culinary, health, and medicinal purposes.
Sweet basil: Sweet basil is probably one of the most common varieties of basil with a high concentration of a chemical antioxidant called Eugenol which gives it a clove-like scent. It appears in medium green color with a rounded cup-shaped leaf known to repel mosquitos. Basil is best used in foods like Pestos, Salads, and Marinades.
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Cardinal basil: Cardinal leaf is a charm in the ornamental garden. It is a tall variety with a deep burgundy colored stem from which sprouts bright green, thick, oval-shaped leaves. This may be the most fascinating of basil varieties as it is easily identified by its mass of tightly clustered cardinal red blossoms which boast of a strong spicy scent making it a good choice in flavoring vinegar and oils.
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Lime basil: Lime basil has light green, tear-drop-shaped leaves with smooth slightly toothed margins and a sweet mild but brit citrus flavor. They are not as popular as Lemon basil but the two can make an excellent pair when cooking, bringing out the lemon and lime flavor. Use it in salads, desserts, and teas for a tantalizing blend.
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Genovese basil: This is the classic Italian basil with extra dark green leaves. Just like its cousin, sweet basil, it is one of the most popular varieties of basil used in Pestos and other Italian dishes. The leaves are flatter than sweet basil with a more pointed shape and stronger aromatic flavor.
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Green ruffles: This basil leaf has a mild and delicate flavor encompassed in its ruffled leaves used in salads and especially good in pasta dishes. Green ruffles basil has curled leaves that are larger than sweet basil making it lovely basil to grow in the garden.
The seed collection
Lemon basil: Lemon basil also known as Ocimum Africanum is very common in Africa and can be found in local nurseries and garden centers. It has a wonderful lemony fragrance which has made it a popular basil variety to be used in fish and poultry marinades, grilled vegetables, desserts, and teas.
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Thai sweet basil: This particular basil leaf is popular with Thai dishes such as spicy sesame noodles and Thai basil chicken. Thai sweet basil has smaller dark green pointed leaves and boasts of a spicy, licorice flavor.
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Summerlong basil: Summerlong basil is a dwarf variety of basil species developed by Burpee gardens that grow in tight, compact bushes making it ideal basil for a container herb garden. It is slow to bolt which means it will last longer in the summer garden before going to seed
African blue basil: Culinary uses of this distinctive basil includes vegetable, rice, and meat dishes. It is a tall perennial variety of basil growing up to 4ft tall, unlike most basil. African Blue basil is stunning in floral arrangements with a strong aroma of mint, peppers, cloves, and camphor.
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Purple basil: The flavor of this basil leaf is not as sweet as other basil varieties but is highly fragrant with a strong clove taste. Purple basil has a remarkable burgundy color that provides excellent contrast in the herb garden and can be steeped in vinegar or oil to add beauty to your dishes.
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Holy basil: Holy basil is known as Ocimum tenuiflorum or Tulsi(Tulasi) which means incomparable one in south Asia according to Howtoculinaryherbgarden.com. The holy basil is used in Indian cuisines especially in meat curries because it is highly pungent with a spicy, sweet musky scent which can be slightly bitter if eaten raw. This basil leaf, just as the name implies is a sacred plant in Hinduism used for health, religious and medicinal purposes such as stomach ailments, the kidneys and to promote blood circulation.
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Greek columnar basil: Greek basil has a portable form with small pointed leaves. It is often used to spice up salads, in soups and meat dishes. Greek basil is one of the smallest basil but can make an excellent embellishment.
The growing place
Cinnamon basil: The stems of cinnamon basil are reddish or purple with pink flowers at maturity. Cinnamon basil has a milder basil flavor making it a favorite herb in Asian cooking which pairs well with fruits providing a slight zing with its spicy, fragrant cinnamon flavor. Cinnamon basil is used in Asian marinades, fried rice, noodle salads, Apple pie, Baked brie, or tossed with vegetables.
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Spicy globe basil: Spicy globe basil is also called spicy bush basil because it forms a tight clump of short leaves when growing. The shape is similar to a dwarf boxwood with a rounded top and just like its cousin, Greek basil, it is another dwarf basil variety that has a strong, spicy flavor with smaller leaves that are expertly served whole in soups, salads, and pasta.
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Lettuce basil: Lettuce basil has a unique appearance with large, floppy wrinkled leaves that works well with salads and fresh dishes. Although the leaves are large, the plant itself is very handy. The leaves of the lettuce basil are 4 inches wide and between 6-10 inches long making it ideal for use in lettuce wraps than other basil leaves according to Burpee.com. It is an Italian basil with a mild flavor.
The common basil has a distinctive smell and taste depending on the variety, way, or manner of cultivation. But do you that apart from being filled with nutrients, antioxidants, and minerals, basil leaves have an abundance of medicinal benefits.
Here are 9 medicinal benefits of Basil:
- Healthy heart; Basil helps to prevent heart diseases and problems because every 100g of fresh basil has 33g of protein and magnesium which helps to reduce bad cholesterol and increase blood flow.
- Cough syrups; Basil is an important ingredient in cough syrups and expectorants. It can also relieve mucus in asthma and bronchitis.
- Fever/Malaria cure: Basil contains an effective antipyretic substance to reduce fever and cure malaria. Brew basil as tea and drink it while still warm to get this benefit.
- Removes Kidney stones; Basil can be used to strengthen your kidneys. In case of kidney stones, mix the juice of basil with honey and take it for 6months to expel the stones through the urinary tract.
- Relieves sore throat; Boil basil leaves in freshwater and drink as a tonic or used as a gargle twice daily until your sore throat is gone.
- Remedy for stomach disorder; The water extracted from the leaves of Basil is used as a remedy for stomach disorders and gastroenteritis.
- Cures Respiratory disorders; It has been found that boiling the leaves of basil with honey or ginger is useful for treating asthma, bronchitis, cough, cold, and influenza.
- Diabetes treatments; Incorporating a generous amount of basil leaves in the diets of a diabetic patient daily will cause a reduction in their blood glucose level. This is due to the cinnamic acid the leaf contains which has been found to enhance circulation, improve breathing and stabilize blood sugar.
- Manages seizures and convulsions; The water extracted or juice of basil leaves have antispasmodic effects and is utilized in the effective treatment and management of seizures and convulsions.
Basil indicates lots of health and medicinal benefits through the possession of nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants wrapped in its leaves and stems. It can be taken fresh and raw or dried but pay proper attention during consumption.
Thanks for your time. Watch out for the next article. Leave your comments in the comments section.
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