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Our favourite summer herb- Basil

BASIL

Aside from being the main ingredient in pesto, the fragrant leaves of the basil plant can be used to provide delicious seasoning to many other recipes. This versatile herb contains many phytochemicals with important disease preventing and health promoting properties.

Basil leaves contain essential oils with known anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It contains exceptionally high levels of antioxidants that scavenge and help protect us from the free radicals that play a role in aging and diseases like cancer and age-related macular degeneration.

It’s also an excellent source of iron – just 100 grams of fresh basil leaves will supply you with 25 percent of your daily requirement. Because iron is a component of the hemoglobin inside our red bloods cells, it helps carry oxygen around our body, so is vital for energy production and preventing fatigue.

Basil leaves might be very low in calories, but they are extremely high in many of the essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins we need for optimum health. Don’t limit them to pesto – add them to salads too!

 

Here is a wonderful summer smoothie recipe that includes basil: