Overview
Basil leaves are medicinal herb, which is also known as sweet basil. It belongs to the mint family. Leaves are glossy and oval-shaped, with a smooth tip and found all year round. Basil leaves are popularly known as tulsi in India.
Basil leaves grow in a humid, warm climate with aromatic, sweet smell where some leaves are red and green having a red stem. Basil leaves grow in well-drained soil and need plenty of water in summer.
Basil leaves grow up to a height of 18 inches and is a bushy shrub. Its color changes from light green to dark purple. It contains a reddish flower with tiny fruit.
Nutritional profile
There are plenty of basil leaves nutritional benefits, few of them are:
Health benefits
Basil leaves benefits are off the chart. Some well-known ones are:
Uses
Recipes
1. Basil Ice Tea
Ingredients: 5 cups water, 1 cup fresh basil leaves, 1/2 Teaspoon dried flaked Tulsi leaves, 1 Teaspoon Black Tea Leaves or Green Tea leaves, Sugar or Honey
Cooking steps: Add water, Tulsi leaves, and the tea leaves in a pot. Keep it for 5-10 minutes. Then strain it with a strainer into a cup. Drop honey above it and keep it in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 min. Now it is ready to have a refreshment drink. Serve with ice.
2. Basil Juice
Ingredients: 2 peeled Oranges, 6 basil leaves, 2 Teaspoon Honey, 5 Ice cubes
Cooking steps: Add oranges, honey, ice cubes in a mixer jar and blend for a few seconds. Strain it in a glass. Now it is ready to drink.