Basil is a fragrant spicy herb that is appreciated in the culinary of various parts of the globe due to its amazing taste. In addition, the product is characterized by a unique composition.
Basil, whose benefits are unlimited, contains a huge amount of vitamins of various groups, amino acids, and other useful compounds. Spice is widely used not only in cooking, but also in medicine, cosmetology.
Basil can cause harm to the body only if you do not know about contraindications to its use.
Varieties of Basil
There are several types of basil, each of which is characterized by its own special aftertaste and aroma.
1. Mediterranean. These are soft green leaves, "radiating" a spicy aroma with a light bitterness.
2. Asian. The leaves have the color of rich red wine, the aroma resembles the flowers of cloves.
3. Thai. These are purple leaves that turn green over time. The stunning taste of licorice makes this kind of basil indispensable in cooking.
4. Lemon. These are small leaves with small hairs that have a delicate citrus aroma.
A basil in any home will be a welcome guest. It can be used for various purposes, enriching your body with useful trace elements.
Calorie content and composition
The leaves of the plant contain a large number of vitamins, useful compounds:
• vegetable oils;
• essential oils;
• carotene and rutin;
• glycosides and flavonoids;
• vitamins of groups B, A, P, K, as well as ascorbic acid;
• Potassium, copper, magnesium, manganese are found from minerals;
• simple sugars;
• tannins.
Basil is extremely useful for those people who want to lose weight. For 100 grams of fresh leaves, only 27 Kcal. The plant perfectly satisfies hunger. During the diet, the body loses many useful substances, with the help of basil the deficit can be filled.
Basil: benefits, medical uses
The beneficial properties of the spice stem from its chemical composition. The presence of vitamins of various groups, other important important micronutrients makes the spice indispensable for medical use.
Basil: benefits, beneficial effects on the body
1. Basil is useful for losing weight not only due to its low energy value. Spice normalizes metabolism, accelerates metabolic processes.
2. Grass has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, helps a person calm down and recover. In addition, it normalizes the gas exchange process that occurs in the intestine, relieves bloating.
3. Basil is recommended to be included in the diet for people with urolithiasis. Grass softens stones, relieves pain, removes uric acid.
4. The high concentration of vitamin K stimulates the speedy healing of wounds, cuts, the body recovers faster.
5. Basil strengthens the immune system. It is especially recommended to introduce it into the diet of children during the period of viral diseases, as well as patients after heavy operations.
6. Due to the presence of iron, hemoglobin rises, blood pressure normalizes.
7. It is useful to rinse the mouth with decoctions based on spices, basil perfectly disinfects the oral cavity, refreshes, and is characterized by antibacterial effects.
8. Vitamin A improves vision, maintains youthfulness and beauty of the skin.
9. Decoctions from basil, as well as fresh leaves, are an excellent remedy for relieving headaches. Spice copes with the task better than any pills.
10. Spice is used for the prevention and treatment of all kinds of colds, inflammatory, viral diseases.
Basil: skin benefits, cosmetic use
Basil is a valuable plant for female beauty. Few people know that it can be used for home cosmetic purposes. Spice-based masks support youth and beauty of the face, allow you to cope with age-related pigmentation, relieve wrinkles, deeply cleanse pores.
Mask for aging skin
It is necessary to take 5 leaves of fresh basil, chop them well. Chicken protein is added here, too? teaspoon of salt. Everything is mixed until a uniform consistency is formed. The mask is recommended to be done 2 times during the week, it is applied for 7-8 minutes, after which the face must be washed with warm water. The result is amazing. The skin becomes softer, fresher, wrinkles are smoothed.
Tonic mask
4 leaves of fresh basil and 1 cucumber, previously peeled, are placed in a blender. Grind everything to a puree condition. A little oatmeal (pre-shredded) is added to the mass so that it is not too thin. The product is evenly distributed over the face, including around the eyes. After 15 minutes, the mask is washed off with cool water, the face is dried with a soft towel.
Against black dots
Clogged pores, unpleasant black spots - all this badly affects the female face. With the help of basil leaves, you can clean your pores well. The leaves of the plant are immersed for 5 minutes in warm water, then they cover the problem area of the face. It takes 15-20 minutes to lie in one position, then the leaves are removed, and the skin is washed with cold water. This procedure needs to be carried out 3 times a week to get rid of acne, then for the prevention 1 time per week.
Basil will be harmful if it is individually intolerant, in which case the skin becomes covered with red spots.
The use of spices in cooking
Basil can be seen as a part of dishes of national cuisines from various corners of the globe. This is not surprising, the amazing aroma of spices nourishes the products with a special flavor. The leaves of the plant can be added to soups, desserts, salads. When dried, they are used as seasoning. Basil goes well with other spices.
Spice in Italy is especially appreciated. The famous Pesto sauce and Margarita pizza are not complete without basil.
Basil: harm of spicy herbs
Despite the value of the plant, basil can cause harm to the body. For this reason, before introducing it into the diet, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with some of the nuances.
1. The composition contains mercury compounds. The plant is not allowed to be included in the diet for people who have hypertension or diabetes.
2. Categorically refuse basil is for women during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for patients with coronary heart disease.
3. Due to the presence of a large number of essential oils, it is forbidden to consume more than 2 tablespoons of basil in its pure form per day. In the opposite case, this can lead to poisoning, other problems with the digestive tract.
4. If you are allergic to grass, you should not use it for any purpose. Also, spice-based treatment is prohibited for preschool children.
Basil is actually considered an incredibly valuable spice. If previously problems with its use have not been noticed, the leaves are allowed to be used for medical and cosmetic purposes. The main thing is to monitor the dosage and not abuse the spicy grass.
