Why Basil is a Superfood

By Tonia Reinhard
February 23, 2011
2-25-2011-basil plant
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Used with permission from Superfoods: The Healthiest Foods on the Planet by Tonia Reinhard, $24.95 paperback, Firefly Books, 2010. The following excerpt can be found on Page 158. 

RELATED CONTENT

• Ocimum americanum Spice Basil
• Ocimum basilicum Sweet Basil
• Ocimum citriodorum Lemon Basil
• Ocimum sanctum Sacred Basil, Holy Basil

In a Nutshell 

ORIGIN: Old World tropics
SEASON: Year-round in warm climates
WHY IT'S SUPER: High in vitamins A and K; good source of vitamin C and manganese; contains antioxidant essential oils and carotenoids
GROWING AT HOME: Easy to grow

What’s in a Serving of Fresh Basil(1 cup/24 grams)
CALORIES: 6 (23 kJ)
PROTEIN: 0.8 grams
TOTAL FAT: 0.2 grams
SATURATED FAT: 0 grams
CARBOHYDRATES: 0.6 grams
FIBER: 0.4 grams

Basil or sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a popular culinary herb strongly associated with tomato sauces and pesto. Sacred basil, also called holy basil and tulsi, is native to Malaysia and India; in Asia, it is not only used as a flavoring but also as a medicine and for religious purposes—it plays an important role in the rituals of some Hindu sects. Spice basil, also known as hoary basil, hairy basil, and American basil, is an annual whose flavor has hints of camphor, cinnamon, citrus, and lavender. Lemon basil is a more recently created hybrid of basil and spice basil; it contains a chemical, citrol, that gives it a lemony smell and taste. The color of basil varies from pale green to dark purple.

Basil is an excellent source of vitamins A and K, and a good source of vitamin C and manganese. Its essential oils contain antioxidant compounds and carotenoids.

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