Basil: Facts, Health Benefits, Consumption and Side Effects

Basil

Introduction

Basil is an green plant that is native to India, Africa and Southeast Asia. It is consumed both as fresh as well as in dry form to enhance flavor in cuisines all over the world. Additionally, consuming basil provides multiple health benefits. Basil taste and fragrance varies and can be similar to clove, cinnamon or mint.

In India, one of its variety is known as Tulsi which has been treated as a sacred plant and also used as alternate medicine (Ayurveda) for hundreds of years.

Potential Health Benefits of Basil

  • Improve mental health by reducing anxiety
  • Repel bugs and treat bug bites
  • Reduce inflammation and stress from many diseases
  • Provide nasal relief during common cold
  • Cure stomach infection of multiple types
  • Promote healthy blood circulation and improve blood pressure
  • Help prevent certain types of cancer
  • Control blood sugar that helps in diabetes
  • Improve dental health when gargled
  • Support healthy liver

Options to Consume Basil

  • Flavor in tea, may also be combined with ginger and turmeric
  • Flavor in stir-fry, salad or soups
  • Flavor in chicken, pizza or pasta
  • Ingredient in basil pesto sauce or tomato sauce
Basil

Tip: Add basil in your dish at the last moment just before finishing your cooking in order to get the best flavor.

Caution

Some people have observed certain side effects like allergic reaction, possible meddling with diabetic or blood clotting medicine  that may be related to consuming basil. Consult with your doctor before taking basil supplements or including it in your diet.

Final Verdict

Basil has many health benefits, but like anything else, use it as part of a holistic healthy lifestyle that includes healthy diet, proper exercise and regular doctor visit.

Impressive Health Benefits of Superfood spice Turmeric

If you aspire to consume a spice that adds delicious flavor to your meals as well as offers excellent health benefits, then you must try turmeric, aka Golden Spice.

turmeric
Turmeric

Yellow colored turmeric is made of tropical plant root that grows mostly in Southeast Asia. It is usually consumed in a dry powder form to add flavor to meals. It has also been used for health benefits for hundreds of years, specifically in India as part of alternate-medical system, Ayurveda.

Majority of benefits from consuming turmeric are related to presence of an active ingredient curcuminoids (curcumin) that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. Turmeric is also known as a good source for iron.

More and more people are consuming turmeric to reap the natural health benefits without any risky side-effects.

Potential Health Benefits of Turmeric

Build Immunity Turmeric has antioxidant properties that help build stronger immune system and treat cough and cold symptoms.

Reduce Pain Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that acts as a natural pain killer by reducing arthritis muscle pain and general soreness.

Aid Digestion Turmeric may help in assisting digestion and preventing stomach upset.

Reduce Cancer Turmeric may help kills certain cancer cells and thus lower the risk by preventing their growth.

Improve Liver Turmeric may reduce side effects of taking diabetes treatment drugs that impacts liver.

Options to Consume Turmeric

  • Add in milk or flavor in tea, may also be combined with ginger and basil
  • Flavor in rice, curries, noodles, stir fry and soups
  • Flavor in chicken or other meat products
  • Turmeric Supplements
turmeric
Turmeric

Caution

Some people have observed certain side effects like nausea, upset stomach or diarrhea that may be related to consuming turmeric. Turmeric has a somewhat bitter taste that may not fit well with taste buds of certain people. Make sure you consult with your doctor before taking turmeric supplements or including it in your diet.

Final Verdict

Turmeric has many health benefits, but like anything else, use it as part of a holistic healthy lifestyle that includes healthy diet, proper exercise and regular doctor visit.

We hope the information in this post will be helpful in your journey of aspiring nirvana!

The Amazing Health Benefits of super-food Ginger

Ginger is a plant whose root is used as a spice all over the world. It can be consumed in multiple forms including dry, powder, fresh, or juice.

Ginger root

In many Asian countries, ginger has been used for hundreds of years, both for its health benefits as well as for adding flavor to the food. Majority of health benefits from ginger are related to presence of compound gingerol that has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

Potential health benefits of Ginger

Antioxidant Ginger has antioxidant properties that help build stronger immune system and treat cough and cold symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory Ginger prevents inflammation and acts as a natural pain killer by reducing muscle pain, joint pain and general soreness.

Indigestion Ginger helps in assisting digestion and preventing stomach upset.

Nausea Ginger may help limit morning sickness and nausea related to motion sickness.

Heart Disease Ginger may help prevent heard diseases by enabling lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol.

Cancer Ginger may help prevent growth of certain cancer cells, and provide pain relief during chemotherapy.

Diabetes risk reduction Ginger may help in improving insulin level by lowering blood sugars that will reduce diabetes risk

Ginger Bread

Options to consume Ginger

  • Ginger tea, may also be combined with basil and turmeric
  • Flavor in rice, curries, noodles, stir fry, salad and soups
  • Mix with honey to relieve cough and cold symptoms
  • Gingerbread cookies
  • Ginger capsules

Caution Some people have observed certain side effects like heartburn, upset stomach or acid re-flux that may be related to consuming ginger. Consult with your doctor before taking ginger supplements or including it in your diet.

Final Verdict

Ginger has many health benefits, but like anything else, use it as part of a holistic healthy lifestyle that includes healthy diet, proper exercise and regular doctor visit.

We hope the information in this post will be helpful in your journey of aspiring nirvana!