Benefits of Basil

The second plant I gave out yesterday is sweet basil. Over the years I have planted many types of basil. I particularly like opal basil which gives a lovely purple color to Alfredo sauce. I've never grown enough to use it in my pesto, but basil a favorite ingredient for pesto. The health benefits of basil are HUGE. It is rich in flavanoids and is effective in preventing cell damage from both radiation and oxygen. It also inhibits bacterial growth - including making your salads safer to eat when you add basil to your salad dressing. Basil also has anti-inflammatory properties - good for those with arthritis. Vitamin K, iron, calcium, Vitamin A, manganese, magnesium, Vitamin C, and potassium are some of the vitamins and minerals found in this super herb. "It is good for the heart, because it helps to prevent building up in the arteries and fights free radicals. The magnesium helps blood vessels to relax which increases blood circulation."
Check it out at www.indepthinfo.com/basil/health.shtml
And you thought you just got a pot of dirt with a few seedlings.
Enjoy!