| Basil is a popular herb in Italian cooking, particularly | | | | from oxidizing cholesterol in the blood stream, |
| in pesto. This fragrant and flavorful herb, a | | | | preventing the cholesterol from building up in the |
| relative of peppermint, is an excellent, nutritious | | | | blood vessels. |
| addition to your pasta sauce, soup, or salad. | | | | Magnesium is also present in basil. This essential |
| An array of flavonoids exist in basil, which help to | | | | mineral helps the heart and blood vessels to relax, |
| protect cells and chromosomes from damage. | | | | improving blood flow. Other nutrients found in basil |
| Studies have shown that two of these flavonoids | | | | include iron, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. |
| in particular, orientin and vicenin, are useful in | | | | The fresh, spicy flavor and scent of basil will |
| protecting cell structures and chromosomes from | | | | wake up any boring salad or soup. Use fresh basil |
| damage by radiation and oxygen. | | | | whole, or shredded to add a burst of flavor to |
| Essential oil of basil has been shown to inhibit the | | | | your dinner. If you are using fresh basil in a |
| growth of several types of bacteria, many of | | | | cooked dish, add it towards the end of cooking, |
| which have become resistant to antibiotics. This | | | | so that the volatile oils will not be dissipated by |
| essential oil has been found to inhibit growth of | | | | the heat. |
| the widespread staphylococcus, enterococcus, | | | | Insalata Caprese is a simple salad, utilizing |
| pseudomonas, and e. coli bacteria, among others. | | | | tomatoes, fresh mozzerella cheese, basil, and olive |
| Adding basil to your vinaigrette will both enhance | | | | oil. |
| the flavor, and ensure that the fresh salad greens | | | | 1/2 pound, fresh mozzerella, sliced 1/4 inch thick. |
| are safe to eat. | | | | 2 large tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick. |
| Eugenol, which is found in essential oil of basil, | | | | 1 cup fresh basil leaves.salt and pepper |
| provides an anti-inflammatory effect, by blocking | | | | 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil. |
| an enzyme called cyclooxygenase. Aspirin and | | | | On a serving plate, arrange the mozzerella and |
| Ibuprofen work by blocking this same enzyme. | | | | tomato around the edge, alternating mozzerella |
| So, basil can have healing benefits, and provide | | | | and tomato slices. |
| relief from the symptoms of inflammatory | | | | Tear up the basil leaves, and sprinkle them on top |
| problems, like rheumatoid arthritis and | | | | of the tomatoes and mozerella cheese. |
| inflammatory bowel conditions. | | | | Season with a bit of salt and pepper. |
| Basil is also a good source of vitamin A, which | | | | Just before serving, drizzle the extra virgin olive oil |
| helps to prevent damage to the cells by free | | | | over the salad. |
| radicals. Vitamin A also prevents free radicals | | | | Serves 4. |