Showing posts with label Cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cooking. Show all posts
1. Basil contains a unique array of active flavonoids which help provide protection for us 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." (whfoods) 2. Basil can help with breakouts. Aesthetician Rena Revivo, who is the chief excutive officer of Spa de Soleil suggests this blemish-fighting fix: "Boil a handful of fresh basil leaves in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes; let the liquid cool. Dip a cotton ball into the liquid, pat it on your breakout zones, wait 10 minutes, then splash with water; repeat once or twice a day." 3. Basil contains lots of wonderful nutrients, especially vitamin k. Look at this chart below for the amazing nutrients that are found in basil!
NutrientDRI/DV
vitamin K98%
manganese12%
copper9%
calcium4%
folate4%
iron4%
|
4. Basil contains high quantitites of (E)-beta-caryophyllene (BCP).
According to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology these high quantities may be useful in treating arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases.
5. Basil also provides a good amount of Vitamin A.
Vitamin A helps provides powerful antioxidants that protect the cells lining a number of numerous body structures, including the blood vessels.
6. Basil has anti-anxiety effects.
Vitamin A helps provides powerful antioxidants that protect the cells lining a number of numerous body structures, including the blood vessels.
6. Basil has anti-anxiety effects.
According to James Duke (PhD) who is the author of the book "The Green Pharmacy", Basil has phytochemicals that help to lower cortisol, which is a hormone that is secreted when you are tense and anxious.
7. Basil can help with PMS symptoms.
Basil is a super source of iron (1 tablespoon of dried basil or 2 cups of fresh basil leaves provide 10% of your daily value which is equal to spinach) and eating this will help replenish iron lost.
Basil is a super source of iron (1 tablespoon of dried basil or 2 cups of fresh basil leaves provide 10% of your daily value which is equal to spinach) and eating this will help replenish iron lost.
8. Basil has been shown to provide protection against unwanted bacterial growth in the body.
This is not only due to the flavonoids, as mentioned above but due to the various oils that are found in Basil.
This is not only due to the flavonoids, as mentioned above but due to the various oils that are found in Basil.
9. Essential Oil of Basil, which is obtained from Basil leaves has demonstrated the ability to inhibit several species of pathogenic bacteria that have become resistant to commonly used antibiotic drugs.
According to the Journal of Microbiology Methods essential oil of Basil may be helpful for those who are dealing with resistance to various antibiotic drugs.
According to the Journal of Microbiology Methods essential oil of Basil may be helpful for those who are dealing with resistance to various antibiotic drugs.
10. Basil is rich in antioxidants.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research results show that ethanol extractOcimum basilicum has more antioxidant activity than standard antioxidants.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research results show that ethanol extractOcimum basilicum has more antioxidant activity than standard antioxidants.
11. Basil has properties that can help prevent the harmful effects of aging.
According to research that was presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester England; "Holy basil extract was effective at killing off harmful molecules and preventing damage caused by some free radicals in the liver, brain and heart."
According to research that was presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester England; "Holy basil extract was effective at killing off harmful molecules and preventing damage caused by some free radicals in the liver, brain and heart."
12. Basil is a good source of magnesium.
Magnesium helps the body in a number of ways, including helping cardiovascular health and muscles.
Magnesium helps the body in a number of ways, including helping cardiovascular health and muscles.
13. Basil helps to detoxify the liver.
So what about y'all? Do you use Basil? Anyone have any additional thoughts on health benefits of Basil? Anyone have any favorite recipes for using Basil? I have been making a lot of my favorite easy and healthy basil and spinach pesto recipe that I shared a couple of weeks ago! (You can find the recipe HERE!)
Last week on IG I said, "Every serious illness journey is filled with hundreds of people who play such important and key roles in it. Words could never describe the gratitude I continue to have for each of you that are walking this difficult road with me" and it is so true. I know that the illness journey often seems long and lonely and in many ways it is.
But recently I have been thinking that it the illness journey is actually very full. Full of people who are constantly giving their time, their energy, their best to help me in this critical time in my life. When I consider this I don't feel lonely, in fact, I feel overwhelmed with the way that love is full in my life.
My life is particularly full every single Monday when I spend a lot of time in the hospital as #courtneytheportney is specifically cared for and I am treated with extreme compassion. From the moment we arrive we are greeted with workers who park the car for us and always greet us with a smile and ask how things are going. I check in and I am embraced by the three receptionists who not only know my name and my story, but always have an encouraging word for this little heart of mine. When we need to make new appointments or change things around, the schedulers work so hard to help us, making us feel like we are the only patients that they deal with.
And as #courtneytheportney is cleaned, watched and monitored and dealt with and accessed I am met with compassion. Compassion in listening to me tell "just one more story" from teaching days, of listening to me share about longings for a husband and kiddos, and support for the journey that I am walking. Even as I write this I have tears of gratitude running down my cheeks. Every single word of encouragement, smile, and laughter we have shared has been a precious gift to me on this journey. Every time that I have had a concern it has been met with wisdom and knowledge. No complaint or concern of mine has been dismissed lightly. These nurses and medical assistants have been in the trenches with me, helping me through.
So last weekend my mom and I spent some of Sunday afternoon having fun making these chocolate covered pretzels with spring colors. (We are still in the midst of winter here in the north so we are dreaming of spring days *smiles*) It was so fun and we loved the final results and we were so excited that every person we gave these goodies too saw our overwhelmed hearts of love and gratitude in this small present.
It was so much fun and it was very easy to do. Here are the supplies that we used for those who might be interested:
2 bags of Hershey's Dark Chocolate Chips
1 bag of Snyders "Old Tyme" pretzels
1 bag of Snyders Gluten Free Pretzels (these are the mini looking pretzels you see in the pictures)
Disposable Trays, Cellophane, and Cupcake Holders from Michaels in Spring Design
Wilton Sprinkles (Purchased from Michaels)
To make these adorable pretzels simply:
(1) Heat the bags of Hershey's Dark Chocolate Chips, mixing until the chocolate is completely melted (some people add 1 tablespoon of oil to help thin out the chocolate but we did not do this)
(2) Simply dip the pretzels into the chocolate and sprinkle on your sprinkles while the chocolate is still warm
(3) Let the mixture dry for approximately 1 hour
(4) We put the big pretzels directly on the tray and then put the gluten free pretzels in cupcake wrappers to keep them separated.
(5) Enjoy!
A huge thank you again to all of the nurses and medical staff that work so hard to help me in my journey and to those who are working tirelessly around the world to help patients. You are treasured!!
Happy Saturday again friends! I hope you have a wonderful day and weekend!
Happy Saturday again friends! I hope you have a wonderful day and weekend!
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