6 Benefits Of Basil and Its Uses

Discover the 6 health benefits of basil plus healthy & delicious recipes for using!

Herbs are one of the best sources of antioxidants and phytochemicals that play a powerful role on our immune system, reducing inflammation, slowing aging at the cellular level, and promoting longevity.

They also add a ton of flavor to dishes while having almost no calories or sodium.

This article breaks down the benefits of basil and ways that you can use them in your meals all summer long!

Benefits of Basil

Basil, or Ocimum basilicum, originates from Southeast Asia. It’s sometimes referred to as the “King of Herbs” because its name translates to “king” in Greek.

This fragrant herb has numerous health benefits and protective properties including anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant properties, neuroprotective properties, and antimicrobial properties. It was even used medically for its anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity properties. Basil is even a natural insect repellent!

Basil contains high amounts of antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavonoids that contribute to these protective properties, such as quercetin, kaempferol, rosmarinic acid, rutin, catechin, and apigenin to name a few.

These compounds play a crucial role in protecting our cells from cell damage caused by oxidative stress by destroying harmful free radicals, helping to slow aging and reduce the risk of cancer and disease as a result.

The benefits of basil can be obtained by using fresh or dried leaves, essential oil, tinctures/extracts, and even topical creams.

Let’s look at some of the research around the protective properties of basil.

1. Anti-Inflammatory

Basil was traditionally used for medicinal purposes to alleviate migraines, stomach cramps, and pain associated with inflammatory conditions like gout and rheumatoid arthritis.

The ability of basil to alleviate pain and inflammation is due to the phytochemicals found primarily in the essential oils of the basil leaves, including linalool and eugenol, that reduce inflammatory cytokines.

For example, the eugenol compound in basil helps to alleviate symptoms of inflammatory bowel conditions such as gout by blocking the activity of enzymes that cause inflammation during joint attacks, and also helping to reduce uric acid levels in the blood.

As for headaches and migraines, one randomized controlled trial published in Complementary Medicine Research found that applying basil essential oil to the temples reduced both the pain intensity and frequency of migraines in the study participants.

2. Neuroprotective

Emerging research indicates that compounds in basil may help protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

For example, a study published in the Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that fenchol, the compound that gives basil its aromatic scent, reduces the accumulation of toxins in the brain, including amyloid proteins which are a marker of Alzheimer’s disease.

This results in reduced inflammation in the brain and reduced neural cell death, ultimately preserving cognitive function and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Anti-Cancer

Research also shows that the antioxidant activity in basil leaves protect against cancer by slowing tumor growth and inducing cancer cell death.

A review published in the journal Cancers in 2022 analyzed the anti-cancer positive effects of sweet basil oil on stomach cancer cells and ovarian cancer cells using an extract containing 5 mg/dl of basil, and found that it inhibited the growth of cancer cells by 91% and increased cancer cell death by around 65%.

This review also documented that basil has strong anti-cancer properties against lung cancer and liver cancer by inducing apoptosis, or death of the the cancer cells.

4. Anti-Aging

The high antioxidant content of basil helps to slow aging at the cellular level by protecting our cells from oxidative stress and free radicals, which are known to accelerate the aging process.

Basil also exerts anti-aging effects on the skin when applied topically.

For example, one study found that applying a topical cream containing 3% Thai basil extract resulted in significant improvement in skin wrinkles, smoothness, and moisture.

5. Lowers Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

Basil has a long history of being used to treat cardiovascular disease.

Studies show the eugenol in basil blocks calcium channels to reduce high blood pressure. In addition, eugenol in basil is also known to relax blood vessels to lower blood pressure.

The essential oils in basil have also been shown to improve cholesterol levels and triglycerides, reducing the risk of heart disease and heart attack as a result.

6. Protection From Infections

Basil has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which can help to fight off infections.

A study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry examined the antimicrobial activity of 9 essential oils and found that “basil oil had the strongest antimicrobial activity against all the tested bacteria.” This study found that basil was the most effective in eradicating Salmonella bacteria, which is a common cause of foodborne illnesses and food poisoning.

Safety Precautions and Side Effects

Although basil is safe for most individuals, talk to your healthcare provider to ensure that it won’t interfere with any medications that you are taking. For example, basil is high in vitamin K which interferes with blood thinners.

Popular Ways to Use Basil

Fresh basil: add fresh chopped basil to salads, mix it into a homemade salad dressing and marinades, and make homemade pesto sauce.
Dried basil: dried basil is a great addition to soups, spaghetti sauces, and pasta dishes.
Essential oil: apply to the temples to alleviate headaches, to the abdomen to alleviate stomach cramps, or use in a DIY mosquito repellent.

Basil Recipes

Now that you know the benefits of basil, try to find more ways to incorporate it into your diet!

If you’re interested in learning about the health benefits and recipes for other herbs, check out my herb series on parsley, rosemary, and cilantro.

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6 Incredible Health Benefits Of Basil [PLUS RECIPES]