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