From Italy to Thailand, you’ll find basil sprouting up in menus across the globe. Derived from the Greek word basilikohn, meaning “royal”, basil has a long history of flavoring dishes. This aromatic herb does more than just satisfy taste buds though—basil offers an array of health benefits, not to mention its also beautiful (see above picture of Gromaine’s Organic Red Rubin Baby Basil).



  1. Anti-bacterial

Basil has something called volatile oils that inhibit the growth of many common bacteria like Listeria, Staphylococcus and E. coli.So, add a little basil to your salad next time and help prevent unwanted bacterial growth—and stomach woes.

  1. DNA and cell protection

Basil has a unique combination of flavonoids. Recent studies on human white blood cells show they protect cell structures and chromosomes from radiation and oxygen-based damage.

  1. Cardiovascular protection

Providing a good source of beta-carotene, basil helps protect the epithelial cells (they line things like blood vessels) from free radical damage. They also help prevent cholesterol from building up in blood vessel walls, a problem that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Ready for one more? Basil’s magnesium helps muscles and blood vessels relax which helps improve blood flow and reduce the risk of irregular heartbeats.

  1. Anti-inflammatory

Basil is considered an anti-inflammatory herb with healing benefits that often deliver relief to people with inflammatory conditions like arthritis or inflammatory bowel condition.


Because heat typically destroys or lessons many of the health benefits of basil, add the herb at the end of the cooking process or just before you serve your meal. This also preserves the color and flavor intensity.

Also, it’s best to use fresh basil instead of dried. Not only are there more health benefits, but the flavor of fresh basil can’t even compare.



Here are a few links to some of our favorite basil-inspired recipes:

Basil Facts