Natural Cook Studio of Bend

The name “basil” is derived from the old Greek word basilikohn, which means “royal,” reflecting that ancient culture’s attitudes towards an herb that they held to be very noble and sacred. There are more than 60 varieties of basil, all of which differ somewhat in appearance and taste.  The taste of sweet basil is pungent and warming and considered to be medicinally restorative. Which means it helps to restore balance, especially of lung or stomach related complaints. Research studies on basil have shown unique health-protecting effects in two basic areas: basil’s flavonoids and volatile oils. The oil of basil, has demonstrated the ability to inhibit several species of pathogenic bacteria that have become resistant to commonly used antibiotic drugs. The eugenol component of basil’s volatile oils have been shown to block the activity of an enzyme in the body called cyclooxygenase (COX), this is the same enzyme that the over the counter anti-inflammotry drugs block, including aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as the commonly used medicine acetaminophen. The unique array of  flavonoids found in basil provide protection at the cellular level. Orientin and vicenin are two water-soluble flavonoids that have been of particular interest in basil, and in studies on human white blood cells; these components of basil protect cell structures as well as chromosomes from radiation and oxygen-based damage. Want to enrich the taste and cardiovascular health benefits of your pasta sauce? Add a good helping of basil. Basil is a very good source of  “pro-vitamin A,” a more powerful anti-oxidant than vitamin A which has been shown to helps prevent free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol in the blood stream. Only after it has been oxidized does cholesterol build up in blood vessel walls.
Enjoy a warm cup of basil lemon lime tea, a drink I was recently introduced to at Breitenbush hot springs. Make this by infusing chopped basil leaves in boiling water for eight minutes and adding lemon, or lime or both. Invigoratingly wonderful!

In Health,

Lisa