This popular herb is used in a variety of Mediterranean and Asian dishes, ranging from creamy sauces to light, herbaceous salads and spicy curries. Ingredients that are complimented by the addition of basil include meats like chicken and beef, olive oil, eggs, tomatoes, and herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano.
What’s basil used for?
Basil is an herb. The parts of the plant that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Basil is used for stomach spasms, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, kidney conditions, fluid retention, head colds, warts, and worm infections. It is also used to treat snake and insect bites.
Where is basil most commonly found?
India
Basil is one of the most popular herbs grown in the world. It is native to Asia (India, Pakistan, Iran, Thailand and other countries) and can be found growing wild in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Because of its popularity, basil is often referred to as the “king of the herbs”.
Why is basil so popular?
There’s a reason basil is so popular . . . it’s delicious! There are many known species of basil, but Ocimum basilicum, also known as Sweet Basil or Genovese Basil, is the most commonly grown. Basils are enjoyed for their rich, spicy flavor with a trace of mint, clove, and even licorice depending on the cultivar.
How is basil used for medicine?
The easiest way to use it is in tea. Add 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped basil to boiling water and steep for about 5 minutes then strain. Sweeten with raw honey to taste and sip slowly to help with digestive issues. This can also soothe a cough.
Can you eat basil raw?
The leaves are also commonly used in cooking, though some people eat the leaves raw. Holy basil tastes spicy and bitter. There are many ways to incorporate holy basil into your daily life. You can cook with it, take it in supplement form, or make a tea with it.
What part of basil do we eat?
Safe for Human Consumption
Basil is one of many herbs in which both the flowers and the foliage are edible. Like many pesto enthusiasts, you probably pinch the blooms from your basil plants to encourage lusher leaf growth.
What flavor does basil add?
What does basil taste like? Sweet basil has a fresh flavor, with a finish of black pepper and subtle anise and mint notes. It’s milder than the Thai variety, which has a strong black licorice flavor.
Should you cook basil?
If a recipe simply calls for “basil,” sweet basil is the way to go. Other varieties can have stronger flavors that can give you an unintended result in your recipes. Holy basil is best cooked (it can be bitter when raw), but purple basil is best raw as that pretty purple color turns black when cooked.
When was basil first used?
Origins of Basil
There are some indications that basil may have originated even farther east than India with ancient records from 807 A.D. suggesting that sweet basil was used in the Hunan region of China at that time.
What is basil used for other than cooking?
Other Basil Plant Uses
Use basil in place of lettuce on sandwiches or even as a wrap. Add basil (a little dab is all you need) and the juice of a lemon to an ice cream base for homemade ice cream. Make basil herb butter which can be frozen for later use. If you want a DIY gift project, try making soap from the herb.
What can basil be used for besides cooking?
Basil’s oils pack the antiseptic power are you can benefit from ingesting basil or applying it topically.
- Ice Cubes. Give regular ice cubes a boost by adding fresh leaves to the ice cube tray before freezing.
- Immune System Boost.
- Salads and Sandwiches.
- Heart Health.
- Ice Cream.
What goes well with basil?
The most commonly known pairing of basil is with tomatoes, but here are other foods that go well with basil along with recipe ideas and links.
- Tomatoes. Tomatoes are the most classic pairing with basil.
- Olive Oil.
- Garlic.
- Balsamic Vinegar.
- Fruit.
- Mint.
- Lemon.
- Eggplant.
Does basil make poop?
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) seed has been found to relieve constipation by acting as a bulk-forming laxative in one preliminary study.
What does basil do for your skin?
Aiding its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, basil helps prevent acne. Basil is also an excellent pore cleanser since it contains natural oils that help act as a natural cleanser and remove surplus oil and impurities. It also soothes and calms the skin, swelling and pain that may come with acne.
Can you put basil on pizza?
The best time to put the basil on your pizza is after it’s been baked, and it’s also best to do it right before serving. If you’re unsure, wait a few minutes and add the basil. If you’re using fresh basil on your pizza, it’s best to use it right after you’ve baked the pie.
Is basil good for kidneys?
Kidney Health
Basil leaves act as a kidney tonic by cleansing the kidneys and lowering uric acid levels, which is the root cause of kidney stones. Basil contains compounds like acetic acid which help in the expulsion of kidney stones via urine.
Is drinking basil water good for you?
Consuming basil could help reduce bloating and water retention. It can even stimulate loss of appetite and could cure acid reflux as well. Now that you are privy to the many benefits of basil leaves, make sure you make the most of the culinary herb in your regular diet.
Does basil cause diarrhea?
If you’re not sure where the basil is from, you should avoid eating basil from Mexico. If you do not know what country it’s from, you should avoid eating any basil. Cyclospora is a parasite that usually causes diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, gas, nausea, and fatigue.
Can you eat the whole basil?
THE BOTTOM LINE: While we don’t recommend using the thicker stems from a bunch of basil, it’s perfectly fine to make the most of your basil bunch and put the younger, more tender stems to use. 1. Don’t process thick stems in pesto.
Can you eat cooked basil?
Raw or cooked, fresh basil adds its own distinct, beloved flavor to any number of dishes. It’s one of those herbs that home cooks turn to so often that many have found it more convenient to grow their own so they always have a supply on hand.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.