Basil is known for its  highly fragrant, bright green leaves used as mildly sedative and pain relieving, which can also help beat indigestion.

Basil is widely used  as  a major ingredient in the Italian sauce pesto. The herb has been used for thousands of years in India and the Mediterranean. It has several health benefits and has been long used in traditional herbal medicine as a remedy for indigestion, nausea and stomach ache. It is mildly sedative and can even been used as  insect repellent and to other sting relief.

Basil contains strongly antioxidant flavonoid compounds. The leaves contain volatile oils that contain chemicals to fight food poisoning bacteria. The chemical eugenol, also present, is an anti-inflammatory similar to aspirin and can help relieve the pain of arthritis  and may ease irritable bowels syndrome.

Basil  is high in Lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health

15 g of basil contains

• 22 Kcalories
• 1.8 g fat
• 5 g protein
• 46 g carbohydrate
• 3.6 g fibre
• 3 mg niacin
• 0.2 mg vitamin B1
• 0.3 mg vitamin B6
• 19.6 mcg selenium
• 86 mg magnesium
• 0.8 mg iron
• 1.3 g zinc
• 20 mg calcium
• 848 mcg lutein/zeaxanthin