Basil: Bazilik dry-fresh. Ready for cooperation, Kirovohrad region.

Basil is an annual plant used in cooking as a spice.
But besides remarkable culinary advantages, it has the ability to actively influence the human body.
Useful properties and contraindications of basil are related to its chemical composition and allow its use for medicinal purposes.

Out of almost 70 species of the plant, basil is widely used, which comes in two varieties: green and purple. Predominant use of one or the other variety is connected with national culinary traditions: green is most popular in European and Mediterranean cuisine, and purple variety is popular in Eastern (Caucasus, Asia).

The difference between green and purple basil in terms of basic properties is not significant. There is also lemon basil with the corresponding aroma.

Composition
The diverse properties of the plant are determined by its rich chemical composition. It includes essential oil (up to 1.5%), rutin, phytoncides, vitamins C, PP, B2, A, tannins, glycosides, and other bioactive components.

Essential oil of basil is contained in all parts of the plant, which determines its expressive aroma. Has bactericidal and antioxidant properties.

The active substances contained in the essential oil (methyl cavicol, estragole and eugenol) strengthen the immune system, rejuvenate body cells, and stimulate mental activity.

Caloric content of basil: raw – 27 kcal/100 g, dried – 251 kcal/100 g.
Benefits and harm of basil
basil beneficial properties and contraindications Let's consider what basil is useful for, what are its positive properties, and in what cases it can be harmful to the body.
Medicinal properties of basil:

strengthens immunity, is active in oncology and even HIV infections,
has bactericidal, antiviral, antifungal properties, is effective in respiratory tract inflammation,
reducing inflammation, improving the state of asthma,
decoction of the plant eliminates bad breath, prevents the development of caries, strengthens gum tissue,
antipyretic and antiseptic properties of the decoction ease the course of angina,
effective for flatulence,
calms, improves sleep,
works as a diuretic, prevents the formation of kidney stones,
lowers cholesterol,
active in the treatment of eye diseases (conjunctivitis, cataracts, glaucoma),
reduces dental and menstrual pains.

Decoctions and infusions of this plant are used for medicinal purposes. Basil drink tones and soothes. Recipe:

boil water;
remove leaves from a bunch of basil;
cut the lemon into circles;
after boiling water, put basil, sugar and lemon in a saucepan;
bring to a boil again, remove from heat and insist 15 minutes.

Useful properties:

Dishes with basil, especially meat dishes, are better digested, because this spice improves digestion and assimilation of nutrients.
Undoubted benefits of basil for women. The decoction reduces menstrual pain, and the paste made from the leaves of the plant reduces the increased oiliness of the facial skin.
Inhaling the aroma of thisspices helps with a runny nose.
Foot baths made from cold infusion eliminate excessive sweating of the feet and unpleasant odor.
Tea made from dried basil flowers invigorates and reduces high blood pressure. Porridge made from crushed fresh leaves of the plant, if applied to the temples, will help relieve a headache.(//tractor-service.com)
But there are also contraindications of basil. They include:

disorders of blood coagulation,
heart attack, coronary artery disease,
epilepsy,
thrombophlebitis and thrombosis.
It is known that mercury compounds are present in basil, so the plant can be dangerous in large quantities.
Basil essential oil should be dosed especially carefully.

It is not recommended to chew fresh leaves for medicinal purposes: prolonged contact with the plant is harmful to tooth tissue.

The benefits and harms of basil allow it to be used for many ailments, but in moderate dosage.

Basil during pregnancy
basil during pregnancy Basil grass, like any table greens, is a natural source of useful substances, and the use of basil during pregnancy is useful for the expectant mother and for the formation of the fetus, if there are no individual contraindications.

Pregnancy in itself is not considered a contraindication, but the spice should be used very rarely and should not be used for medicinal purposes, because in large quantities basil can increase the tone of the uterus.

When breastfeeding, the spice promotes increased lactation.

Use of basil in cooking
There are various uses of basil in cooking and canning. They season fish, cottage cheese, meat dishes, flavorsalads, cheese, sauces, and pasta. The French add the green variety of this spice to desserts, and the Italians make jam from it. When used in dried and fresh form, the beneficial properties of basil are preserved.

A simple recipe for a very tasty snack - tomatoes with mozzarella and basil.
Products:

tomatoes - 0.5 kg,
mozzarella - 200 g,
bunch of basil,
vegetable oil - 100 ml,
vinegar - tbsp. l.
salt, pepper.

Preparation:

cut the tomatoes into circles, put them on a serving dish,
cut the cheese into slices according to the diameter of the tomatoes or grate them through a coarse grater,
salt and pepper the tomatoes, sprinkle with vinegar, put cheese on top,
grind the basil leaves, sprinkle them over the tomatoes, pour oil over everything and serve.
You can preserve tomatoes with basil for the winter. Recipe:

50 g of salt, 50 ml of apple cider vinegar, 100 g of honey are used for 1 liter of marinade;
put washed tomatoes in sterile jars, alternating with basil;
boils the marinade, pours hot tomatoes over it;
close the jars and sterilize them for 10-15 minutes.

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