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Sweet basil, is an herb in the Lamiaceae (mint) family
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The plant has been mainly utilized in traditional medicine for the treatment of respiratory disorders. In the present article, effects of O. basilicum and its main constituents on respiratory disorders, assessed by experimental and clinical studies.
basilicum leaves have a strong antioxidant effect due to the existence of some constituents such as eugenol and vicenin . In addition, this plant showed anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of citronellol, limonene, and eugenol in its leaf .
Introduction
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Respiratory diseases mainly include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer (Ferkol and Schraufnagel, 2014). These diseases affect a large number of people every year and reduce a person’s level of performance in daily activities, and they are the most common cause of referral to general practitioners worldwide . The rate of respiratory dysfunction due to pulmonary diseases depends on the disease type and severity . In the last decades, environmental agents such as pollutants and diet as well as individual factors such as genetics and epigenetics resulted in a rise in the prevalence of inflammatory, allergic, malignancy, and immunodeficiency disorders. These factors may result in a cascade of destructive and inflammatory mechanisms creating the pathological symptom of allergic diseases including asthma . Early diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and monitoring of the respiratory disorders as well as the development of new therapeutics to alleviate such pathological mechanisms and restore the balance of the immune system are required for curing respiratory diseases. Inflammatory obstructive respiratory diseases are treated mainly by two types of drugs, including relieving drugs that reduce airway obstruction and preventive drugs that reduce lung inflammation .
Noteworthy Characteristics
Ocimum basilicum, commonly called basil, is a native of Africa and Asia. Tradition has it that basil was found growing around Christ's tomb after the Resurrection, and consequently, some Greek Orthodox churches use it to prepare holy water and pots of basil are set below church altars. In India, basil was believed to be imbued with a divine essence, and oaths were sworn upon it in courts. A number of varieties exist today, ranging from a tiny-leafed Greek basil to robust 2-foot-high plants with large succulent leaves. Some varieties have deep purple leaves. While flowers are typically small and whitish, some can be pink to brilliant magenta. Leaves can be dried for later use. Basil is extremely frost sensitive.
Food (Herb and Spice)
[Others]: Fresh or dried leaves commonly used in cooking for their fragrance and flavour, especially in tomato-based dishes like pizzas and sphaghetti. Fresh leaves can can be blended with other ingredients to make pesto sauce used in Italian cooking. Seeds become gelantinous when soaked in water, used in Asian drinks and desserts. Essential oils from plant reported to have anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties. Fresh leaves said to have slight numbing effect when chewed, and used to relieve sore throats. Also eaten or drunk as tea to relieve stomach gas and stomach cramps. Essential oils widely used in cosmetics, perfumes and soaps. Ancient Egyptians used oils in embalming fluids for mummies.Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is one of the most important crops with essential oils as well as polyphenols, phenolics, flavonoids and phenolic acids. This annual plant belongs to mint family, and indigenous to tropical regions. Basil leaves also has tremendous pharmaceutical benefits and it is common to use in rice, meat, stews and soups. Traditionally, it has been used in kidney problems, as a haemostyptic in childbirth, earache, menstrual irregularities, arthritis, anorexia, treatment of colds and malaria. Basil has been shown positive effects against viral, fungal, bacterial and some infections. Basil leaves have been used in treatment of fevers, coughs, flu, asthma, bronchitis, influenza and diarrhea. Basil Seed Mucilage, commonly known as basil seed gum. Basil seed mucilage can be considered as thickening, stabilizing, fat substitute, texurizer, surface-active and emulsifying hydrocolloid. The most important pharmacological uses of basil are anti-cancer activity, radioprotective activity, anti-microbial activity, anti-inflammatory effects, immunomodulatory activity, anti-stress activity, anti-diabetic activity, anti-pyretic activity, anti-arthritic activity, anti-oxidant activity, as a prophylactic agent and in cardiovascular disease.
Sweet basil, with it's wonderful aroma and flavor, is one of the most popular and widely grown herbs in the world. In the West, basil is associated with Italian cooking, so you may be surprised to find that basil originated in the far eastern countries of India, Pakistan and Thailand. Basil is an annual herb to 2-3 ft tall with green stems (usually woody at the base) that are square in cross section.
Basil has opposite leaves, 5.1-10.2 cm long, oval and slightly toothed. The tiny purple or white flowers arranged in flattened whorls that encircle the stems, one whorl above another. There are so many uses for basil that every herb gardener will want to have a plant or two. It is an attractive plant that works well in vegetable, herb and flower gardens. Basil has a warm, resinous, clove-like flavor and fragrance.
The flowers and leaves are best used fresh and added only during the last few minutes of cooking. Basil works well in combination with tomatoes. Finely chopped basil stirred into mayonnaise makes a good sauce for fish. Use as a garnish for vegetables, chicken and egg dishes.
