King of Herbs

Which herb is the king of herbs?

Basil herb is the king of herbs, which is one of the oldest and popular herbal plants having health benefiting element photo-nutrients. This highly prized plant is known as "holy herb" in many traditions all around the world.

Basil is of the family of Lamiaceae, of the genus: Ocimum. Its scientific name is "Ocimum basilicum". Asian or "holy" basil (Ocimum sanctum) has large, hairy plant with pink flowers and pink leaves. Mediterranean sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) has light green leaves.

Basil is originated from Iran, India and other tropical regions of Asia. This bushy annual herbal plant has useful leaves and seeds having medicinal value. Basil grows well in warm and tropical climates. On an average, matured plant reaches the height of 100 cm. Its leaves are light green, silky about 2.5 inches long and 1 inch broad with opposite arrangement. The flowers are quite big, white and arranged in a terminal point.

Health benefits of Basil herb

• Powerful chemical compounds of basil leaves have disease preventing and health improving characteristics.
• Poly phenolic of basil herbs have anti-oxidant protection power against radiation-induced lipid per-oxidation in mouse liver.
• Health beneficial oils exist in basil leaves having characteristics of anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.
• There are very low calories in the part of basil herb having no cholesterol. It contains nutrients, minerals, and vitamins which is vital for our health.
• Huge amount of beta-carotene, vitamin A and some other vital elements exist in basil herb. These compounds are very powerful against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) which protect us from aging and various disease processes.
• A yellow element of basil herb protects our retina from UV (Ultra Violet) rays. It is observed that common herbs, fruits, and vegetables having huge amount of anti-oxidant element contributes to protect us from age-related diseases, specially in the elderly.
• There are 5275 mg or 175% of vitamin A exist in 100 gm of fresh herb leaves. Vitamin A has antioxidant properties which is essential for our vision. It is vital for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. It can protect our body from lung and oral cavity cancers.
• Basil herbs contain vitamin K which is very vital for many coagulant factors in the blood. Coagulation is a change to a sticky, jelly-like state. It contributes to strong our bone function with mineralization process.
• A good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium exist in the basil herb. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme.
• A good source of iron is basil herbs. Per 100 gm of fresh basil leaves have 3.17 mg of iron. Iron exists in hemoglobin of our red blood cells. It can regulate the oxygen-carrying capacity of our blood.