Greetings,
For those of you that are of the Mexican/Spanish culture your
I wish for everyone a wonderful March, and a very Happy Spring!
Sincerely
The Editor
Happy March, and with March those that are from Ireland celebrate St. Patricks Day, and those that are not from Ireland either ignore it or join in the celbration :-)
For those of you that are of the Mexican/Spanish culture your
Festivals and Events in Mexico in March Are:
- Banderas Bay Regatta and Nautical Festival. ...
- Guadalajara International Film Festival. ...
- Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival. ...
- Mexico City Festival (Festival de Mexico en el Centro Historico) ...
- Holy Week (Semana Santa) Suzanne Barbezat. ...
I wish for everyone a wonderful March, and a very Happy Spring!
Sincerely
The Editor
Basil Profile
Introduction
Constituents
Parts Used
Typical Preparations
Summary
While most of us are familiar with basil as a culinary herb, the applications of basil in natural health are not as well known. The essential oil is antibacterial, and drops of basil oil may relieve ear infections. European scientists are investigating the use of basil oil as treatment for antibiotic resistant infections with Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Pseudomonas. There are some indications basil oil may help restore immune function damaged by stress.
Precautions
The German Commission E advised caution in the use of basil because of the estragole in its essential oil might cause cancer, but later testing indicated that an increased risk of cancer would only occur in persons who ate approximately 1,00 kilograms (over a ton) of the herb daily"a finding so impossible as to suggest the Commission *s precaution was completely unwarranted. Nonetheless, the safety of the herb has not been established for pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children under six.
Also known as- Ocimum basilicum. Not to be confused with holy basil (tulsi), Ocimum sanctum, used in Ayurvedic medicine.
Fresh basil leaves have a unique aroma not even approximated by any other herb, making them an essential ingredient in cuisines of countries all over the world. There are hundreds of species and their hybrids marketed as basil, but the herb most commonly used in herbal medicine is the Mediterranean or "sweet" basil (although arguably Thai basil is sweeter). Basil produces its essential oils in glands in its leaves that have to be activated by UV-B rays from the sun; the best quality basil is grown in hot, sunny climates.
Basil has a unique aroma because of the many constituents of its essential oil. The oil contains 1,8-cineol, citral, eugenol, linalool, methyl chavicol, methyl cinnamate in relatively large quantities and bisabolene, camphor, cryophyllene, geraniol, and ocimene in smaller quantities influencing taste and action in the body.
Dried leaf in teas or essential oils for topical application.
The essential oil used topically. As a spice it can liberally used in foods.
While most of us are familiar with basil as a culinary herb, the applications of basil in natural health are not as well known. The essential oil is antibacterial, and drops of basil oil may relieve ear infections. European scientists are investigating the use of basil oil as treatment for antibiotic resistant infections with Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Pseudomonas. There are some indications basil oil may help restore immune function damaged by stress.
Basil oil also helps the active ingredients of other herbs more readily penetrate the skin when basil oil is added to ointments, liniments, and salves. Dried basil leaf can be added directly to food or drunk as a tea (1/2 teaspoon of dried herb steeped for 10 minutes in 1 cup of boiling water in a closed container) to relieve flatulence and fullness.
The German Commission E advised caution in the use of basil because of the estragole in its essential oil might cause cancer, but later testing indicated that an increased risk of cancer would only occur in persons who ate approximately 1,00 kilograms (over a ton) of the herb daily"a finding so impossible as to suggest the Commission *s precaution was completely unwarranted. Nonetheless, the safety of the herb has not been established for pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children under six.
Health benefits of Basil herb
Basil leaves hold many important plant-derived chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties.
Basil herb contains many polyphenolic flavonoids like orientin and vicenin. These compounds were tested in-vitro laboratory for their possible antioxidant protection against radiation-induced lipid peroxidation in mouse liver.
Basil leaves compose of many health benefiting essential oils such as eugenol, citronellol, linalool, citral, limonene, and terpineol. These compounds are known to have anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.
The herb is very low in calories and contains no cholesterol. Nonetheless, its is one of the finest sources of many essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins critical to optimum health.
Basil herb contains exceptionally high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin-A, cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes.
Zea-xanthin, a yellow flavonoid carotenoid compound, is selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea where it found to filter harmful UV rays from reaching the retina. Studies suggest that common herbs, fruits, and vegetables that are rich in zeaxanthin antioxidant help to protect from age-related macular disease (AMRD), especially in the older adults.
100 grams of fresh herb basil leaves contain astoundingly 5275 mg or 175% of daily required doses of vitamin A. Vitamin-A is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. It also required for maintaining healthy mucosa and skin. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin-A has been found to help the human body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
Vitamin K in basil is essential for the production of clotting factors in the blood and plays a vital role in the bone strengthening and mineralization.
Basil herb contains a good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese utilized by the human body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
Basil leaves are an excellent source of iron. Its fresh leaves carry 3.17 mg/100 g (about 26% of RDA) of iron. Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, is one of the chief determinants of oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
Basil has anti-spasmodic properties that make it useful for headaches. Lemon, cinnamon and lime basil are often used to treat insomnia and nervous indigestion. For minor kitchen burns, including steam burns, mix 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil with a few drops of organic honey to make a thick paste. Apply gently to the burn and place a gauze pad over the basil-honey ointment. Leave the gauze in place for an hour or so, then rinse the area in cold water. Repeat if necessary.
Basil leaves hold many important plant-derived chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties.
Basil herb contains many polyphenolic flavonoids like orientin and vicenin. These compounds were tested in-vitro laboratory for their possible antioxidant protection against radiation-induced lipid peroxidation in mouse liver.
Basil leaves compose of many health benefiting essential oils such as eugenol, citronellol, linalool, citral, limonene, and terpineol. These compounds are known to have anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.
The herb is very low in calories and contains no cholesterol. Nonetheless, its is one of the finest sources of many essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins critical to optimum health.
Basil herb contains exceptionally high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin-A, cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes.
Zea-xanthin, a yellow flavonoid carotenoid compound, is selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea where it found to filter harmful UV rays from reaching the retina. Studies suggest that common herbs, fruits, and vegetables that are rich in zeaxanthin antioxidant help to protect from age-related macular disease (AMRD), especially in the older adults.
100 grams of fresh herb basil leaves contain astoundingly 5275 mg or 175% of daily required doses of vitamin A. Vitamin-A is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. It also required for maintaining healthy mucosa and skin. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin-A has been found to help the human body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
Vitamin K in basil is essential for the production of clotting factors in the blood and plays a vital role in the bone strengthening and mineralization.
Basil herb contains a good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese utilized by the human body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
Basil leaves are an excellent source of iron. Its fresh leaves carry 3.17 mg/100 g (about 26% of RDA) of iron. Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, is one of the chief determinants of oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
Basil has anti-spasmodic properties that make it useful for headaches. Lemon, cinnamon and lime basil are often used to treat insomnia and nervous indigestion. For minor kitchen burns, including steam burns, mix 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil with a few drops of organic honey to make a thick paste. Apply gently to the burn and place a gauze pad over the basil-honey ointment. Leave the gauze in place for an hour or so, then rinse the area in cold water. Repeat if necessary.
Pesto
Make big bunches of pesto, and freeze any you can't use up before it goes bad in ice cube trays, with a layer of olive oil on top. Swirl pesto into pastas, on to soups, into risotto, and on top of baked salmon.
Compound butter
Pesto
Make big bunches of pesto, and freeze any you can't use up before it goes bad in ice cube trays, with a layer of olive oil on top. Swirl pesto into pastas, on to soups, into risotto, and on top of baked salmon.
Compound butter
Flavor meat
Remember that a bunch of basil tucked into the cavity of a chicken right before you roast it perfumes the whole bird. Same with fish you wrap in parchment; why not add basil?
Mayonnaise
If you haven't had a turkey sandwich with homemade basil mayonnaise-simply chopped basil, salt and pepper swirled into mayo-I'd argue you haven't really had a turkey sandwich.
Salsa verde
Italian salsa verde (distinct from Mexico's version) can be as simple as parsley, basil, red pepper flakes, anchovies, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper all spun together and used to top any meat or fish. But we're particularly taken with this version, which Waxman uses to shellac the famous roast chicken at his New York City restaurant Barbuto.
Pizza
Snipped fresh basil leaves on top of a pie are the real difference between homemade and takeout. Make every pizza gorgeous-particularly so if you can locate opal basil, with its knockout purple leaves.
Make big bunches of pesto, and freeze any you can't use up before it goes bad in ice cube trays, with a layer of olive oil on top. Swirl pesto into pastas, on to soups, into risotto, and on top of baked salmon.
******************************************************
Compound butter
The dreamiest of things to plunk on a steak, pork tenderloin, or grilled chicken, compound butter is as easy as combining room-temperature butter, chopped dry basil leaves, salt and pepper. Roll the mixture up in a layer of wax paper inside another layer of aluminum foil, as you would with extra cookie dough. Refrigerate until cold, and slice off rounds of green-flecked butter over the coming weeks. (It freezes well, too!)
******************************************************
Make big bunches of pesto, and freeze any you can't use up before it goes bad in ice cube trays, with a layer of olive oil on top. Swirl pesto into pastas, on to soups, into risotto, and on top of baked salmon.
******************************************************
Compound butter
The dreamiest of things to plunk on a steak, pork tenderloin, or grilled chicken, compound butter is as easy as combining room-temperature butter, chopped dry basil leaves, salt and pepper. Roll the mixture up in a layer of wax paper inside another layer of aluminum foil, as you would with extra cookie dough. Refrigerate until cold, and slice off rounds of green-flecked butter over the coming weeks. (It freezes well, too!)
******************************************************
Flavor meat
Remember that a bunch of basil tucked into the cavity of a chicken right before you roast it perfumes the whole bird. Same with fish you wrap in parchment; why not add basil?
Mayonnaise
If you haven't had a turkey sandwich with homemade basil mayonnaise-simply chopped basil, salt and pepper swirled into mayo-I'd argue you haven't really had a turkey sandwich.
Salsa verde
Italian salsa verde (distinct from Mexico's version) can be as simple as parsley, basil, red pepper flakes, anchovies, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper all spun together and used to top any meat or fish. But we're particularly taken with this version, which Waxman uses to shellac the famous roast chicken at his New York City restaurant Barbuto.
Pizza
Snipped fresh basil leaves on top of a pie are the real difference between homemade and takeout. Make every pizza gorgeous-particularly so if you can locate opal basil, with its knockout purple leaves.
Aries: During the Venus-Saturn square on March 3, you may start to feel distance in some of your most important personal relationships. You might not be all that fun to be around now, which adds to your problems. You want things to change, but you might lack the motivation to actually do something about it.
Taurus: You might feel lonely or isolated during the Venus-Saturn square on March 3, which doesn't get your month off to the best start. There's nothing wrong with having some quiet, contemplative time, but there*s also a big difference between being alone and being lonely.
Gemini: You're in your comfort zone as communicative Mercury enters social Aquarius on March 4, and you feel free to mix and mingle with friends, family members, and even total strangers. You love being yourself, and others love you, too. This is the time to let your unique personality shine for all the world to see
.
Cancer: Your thoughts take an interesting turn when Mercury meets up with eccentric Aquarius on March 4. You have a very active imagination now, but you want to turn your thoughts into actions. Be experimental. Be a pioneer. And remember, if you invent something, you get to name it!
Leo: You don't mind being called out for being a little odd or weird when Mercury pairs up with out-there Aquarius on March 4, do you, Leo? You love attention, and sometimes it doesn't matter if you're getting it for positive or negative reasons!
Virgo: Informative Mercury moves into unconventional Aquarius on March 4, ushering in a few weeks of progressive, forward-thinking perspectives. This is a perfect time to join a think tank or brainstorm your latest big idea with like-minded people.
Libra: Romantic Venus forms a square to hardworking Saturn on March 3, making it difficult at times to maintain the harmony in your personal relationships. This upset in energy causes a shift in the way you interact with each other and can create an aura of mistrust. Feeling lonely can be a temporary but painful side effect.
Scorpio: Your mind turns to intellectual discussions during Mercury's turn in logical Aquarius on March 4. You'll be super inventive now, too, which gives you lots to talk about. You might have to find a different group of people to discuss your out-there theories with because your usual friends and family may deem you just a bit too "weird" for them right now.
Sagittarius: When talkative Mercury enters brainy Aquarius on March 4, your conversations might be over some people's heads. You can try to dumb things down by using smaller words or breaking down tech talk, but the simple truth is that you just have a lot more going on mentally right now than most people you know.
Capricorn: A stressful square between loving Venus and your home planet Saturn on March 3 could cause tension and grumpiness. You're honestly not all that much fun to be around now, which is kind of fine with you. We all have days like this, Capricorn. Don't worry too much about this temporary funk.
Aquarius: Informative Mercury enters your offbeat sign on March 4, so you're interested in all kinds of interesting topics. You're also very forward-thinking, so you'll probably spend a lot of your time pondering about how to make the future brighter for you, your loved ones, and humankind in general.
Facebook Pages
https://www.facebook.com/CaerAndDeesApothecaryOfNaturalRemedies
https://www.facebook.com/AskCaerlion
Websites:
Our Blog:
Email us at: CenterforHealing2@gmail.com
CaerandDeesPlace.com © All Rights Reserved