I love basil.  I love the way it smells, the way it tastes, and the way it looks.  I have a small plant that I purchased from Trader Joe’s, which I keep on my kitchen counter.  I clip the leaves and include it in many of the dishes I prepare for my family.  We use it on our pasta and in our sauce, use it in pesto, top many sandwiches, pizzas, and other dishes with its leaves, and make bruschetta with it.  As a topping, it makes a really pretty presentation for serving.  And, it adds such great flavor.  But did you know that this pretty plant does much more than just add fragrance and flavor?  Basil also promotes a wide range of health benefits.

Basil is a very rich source of many essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that help support optimum health.  It contains good amounts of magnesium (promotes cardiovascular health), Vitamin C, and Potassium (helps control blood pressure).  It is an excellent source of iron and Vitamin K (which plays a vital role in the bone strengthening process).  Basil is also a good source of Vitamin A, which has antioxidants and is essential for vision.  Finally, its leaves contain essential oils with compounds that are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

So, include more basil in your diet.  You will love the flavor it adds to your meals, and your body will love you for its health benefits.