Sunday, July 8, 2012

Health Benefits of Lemon and Basil

I love Basil!  It grows like a weed and you can trim a little or hack off a bunch when you need it.  Did you know that Basil is great for people with inflammation or asthma?

Purple Opal Basil
"One of the primary medicinal uses for basil is for its anti-inflammatory properties. This effect stems from eugenol, a volatile oil in basil that blocks enzymes in the body that cause swelling, making basil an ideal treatment for people with arthritis.

Basil, especially as an extract or oil, is known to have exceptionally powerful antioxidant properties that can protect the body from premature aging, common skin issues, age-related problems and even some types of cancer. The herb also contains the flavonoids orientin and vicenin, which are plant pigments that shield your cell structures from oxygen and radiation damage.

Both fresh basil and basil oil have strong antibacterial capabilities. In fact, basil has been shown to stop the growth of many bacteria, even some that had grown resistant to other antibiotics. Basil can be applied to wounds to help prevent bacterial infections. Also, by adding basil oil to your salad dressings, you can help ensure your vegetables are safe to eat.

Basil oil can be used to treat constipation, stomach cramps and indigestion as well as the cold, flu, asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis and sinus infections. It is also a great source of magnesium, an essential mineral that helps the body’s blood vessels relax, which can improve blood flow."

As for Lemons, where do I begin?


"Health benefits of lemon include treatment of throat infections, indigestion, constipation, dental problems, fever, hair care, skin care, internal bleeding, rheumatism, burns, overweight, respiratory disorders, cholera and high blood pressure. Known for its therapeutic properties for generations, lemon helps to strengthen your immune system and cleanses your stomach. It is not only a blood purifier but also enables body to fight diseases. Lemon juice, especially, has several health benefits associated with it. Useful for treating kidney stones, curing heart strokes and reducing the body temperature, lemonade helps you to stay calm and cool."


Are you asking yourself,  "Where is this Going?"  
This past week I made Basil Lemonade using fresh basil from my garden.  It was spectacular!  The recipe is available at Mary's Kitchen.  You may also enjoy Basil Infused Olive Oil.  
Thanks for stopping by!

19 comments:

Becky said...

My mom started growing basil in her herb garden this summer. I didn't know that it had so many healthy uses! Thanks for sharing.
--Becky
preppypremed.blogspot.com

Paula Parrish said...

This is a very informative post. Thanks for the information. Smiles, Paula

Mary Smith said...

Thanks for stopping by ladies! PS, the lemonade was delicious!

Libby said...

I only planted 2 basil plants this year in a container garden. They outgrew everything else. Yesterday, I harvested much of it because I didn't know if it would continue to stand in this heat. So, I made fresh pesto. :-)

Thanks for all the health info. Good to know.

* Stopping from the Homemaker on a Dime link party.

Unknown said...

Wonderful info! Thanks for sharing with us at our linky party.... I can't wait to try the lemonade recipe, I've GOT to check it out!

Have a great week!
-Heather
Stringtown Home

Julie said...

Excellent idea! Thanks so much for sharing this on Marvelous Mondays! Please stop by again next week. :)

Julie

Indigestion and gastric problem remedy said...

This is really true. Basil is best herb & is pure, herbal & is best remedy. Lemon is bet in itself. Lime juice in glass of warm water taken empty stomach in morning removes toxicity from body & relieves from acidity, indigestion & is best for weight loss. Thanks for sharing this useful post.

Jonell w Harrison said...

Good stuff you are sharing..I can't live without my herbs. And LEMON???? YES!!!!!
jONELL
LIKE GRAMMA'S HOUSE BLOG

Bonnie said...

Added this link to my 2012 notebook..love turning my kitchen into a natural, healthy pharmacy for my family..you just gave me other great ideas!!!

Jessi @ Practically Functional said...

Wow, awesome! I didn't know all of that about either one, thanks for sharing! I'm glad you linked this up to The Fun In Functional!

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Nicole said...

Excellent post! I didn't know basil could help with all that! I'll be using it a little more for sure. Oregano Oil has done wonders for my asthma. Thanks for linking up! Have a great weekend.

Unknown said...

I didn't know Basil was so good for you. My Dad is Vietnamese and they eat a lot of Basil. Maybe that is why they live so long? Thanks for the info and for linking up at Mom's Library!

Betsy @ Romance on a dime said...

Basil Lemonade sounds really good. I loved making lemon infused water - and now I know how healthy it is!

Thanks for linking up at Romance on a dime!

Sarah @ Natures Nurture said...

Great post! I love growing and using basil - it's my favorite! But never knew about its health benefits. And thanks for the recipes!

Thanks for sharing at Tiny Tip Tuesday!

Unknown said...

I love basil and am going to try growing a Meyer lemon this year. Thanks so much for sharing on Tout It Tuesday! Hope to see you tomorrow.

Becca said...

Wow, great info! Isn't it amazing the healthy foods God put right at our fingertips? And sadly we often side with the processed, artificial foods.

Thanks for sharing at A Humble Bumble!

Unknown said...

Nice post and help full for the fitness
kids club sydney

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