The acidity and alkalinity of foods have always been a popular topic among food geeks. And Basil is one of the most enquired items in this regard.
Basil, also called Holy Basil, is a popular herb of the Mint. With scientifically named Ocimum basilicum, it has often been nicknamed the “queen of Ayurveda”.
If you are curious to know, whether the queen is acidic or alkaline, you’ve landed on the right page. The description below has all the answers for you.
So, keep reading!
What is basil?
Basil, the queen of herbs, is identified as green leaves with a sophisticated mint smell. In Asia, it is also named Tulsi and is used for several benefits.
It is the perfect Ayurveda remedy for indigestion and helps in the detoxification of the body. Its antioxidant potential helps to combat free radicals and protects against cellular damage.
Basil is used in salads for diet purposes too and helps in weight loss.
Medically, basil leaves play an important role in inflammation and pain reduction. It helps in diabetes management and prevention. If you are a patient with cardiac issues, you must incorporate basil in your diet as it is very effective against stress and beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Basil also boosts the immune system and the anti-aging process. It works great against bacterial infections in the mouth and thus contributes a lot toward oral hygiene.
Is basil acidic or alkaline?
Well, you’ll be glad to know that basil is alkaline. And no acidity means no damage upon consumption!
With a pH level of 8.0, basil is not acidic for your body at all. Once digested, basil breaks down to provide several minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium; producing alkaline ash.
You can understand this by the fact that the food we eat breaks down into multiple components inside our body. Our digestive system then has alkaline or acidic ash.
Hence, Basil is purely alkaline and includes the advantage of fitting into the alkaline diet.
During the fasting process or between long breaks of eating food, your body becomes acidic. So, it is a must to consume some alkaline food to keep it healthy and strong enough to avoid high-level acidic conditions.
Since, like many other green vegetables and leaves, basil is also alkaline-forming, it helps a lot to maintain the pH of your body.
Does the basil plant need acidic soil to grow?
Basil plants don’t necessarily need acidic soil but a nutrient-rich and well-drained loamy soil with pH of the soil maintained to 6.0 to 7.0.
Coffee can be a good fertilizer for herbs including basil. It must be used and spread sparingly. Basil plant get benefit from the nitrogen content present in the coffee that boosts their growth.
Growing basil in your garden
Basil plants are best grown outdoors, although they can be grown indoors in a container or hydroponic planter. Like other herbs, basil should be transplanted or separated from each other like six to ten inches apart.
You should provide them with plenty of sunlight and a greenhouse or cold frame is mostly prioritized for them.
If your basil leaves got wilted, this can be due to the lack of water. Do not worry, they can recover if they are watered thoroughly and immediately placed in a sunny location.
Basil – The Environmental friendly Herb
With the growing climate changes and environmental concerns, one must reckon the effect any food creates not only on our health but also on our surroundings.
Concerning the changing environment, basil is sustainable. It has low carbon footprints, and required low water volume to grow.
Carbon footprints mean the amount of carbon dioxide being emitted to the environment. Basil has a relatively low carbon footprint as compared to many other foods specifically green vegetables. The carbon footprint of basil is around 1.6 kg CO2 per 2.2 pounds of vegetables.
The production of basil is relatively ecological as it causes no damage to air, land, or soil; besides, the growth of basil does not require any pesticide use.
If you are concerned with genetically modified food (GMOs) or organic food, basil is an exception to all these concerns.
Basil has a low water footprint and only a minimum quantity of water is enough for its production.
Must-Know benefits of basil
Worried that you are allergic to gluten and if you can consume basil or not?.
Basil does not contain gluten at all. It is a natural herb and gluten-free. Basil is also not a food allergen. Some people may have developed a mild allergy to it but it is relatively rare and maybe because of some other reasons.
Basil is truly vegan and not an animal product or by-product. Thus, it is widely used in organic-based cosmetics.
It helps in the nourishment of the skin. It is often called the powerhouse of skin care, containing many antioxidants. It helps the skin to remain hydrated, beautiful, glowing, and with a fair complexion.
Final thoughts
Basil produces alkaline ash and is not acidic at all. It helps to balance the acidic environment of our body during ‘fasting.
It is one special kind of herb that is easy to grow, easy to consume, and should be preferred.
Several doctors and herbal experts advise people to use basil in their daily routines. Patients with cardiac issues or dealing with poor health should consume basil leaves either daily or according to the advice of any nutritionist.
You can consume basil as a tea or it can be baked with any other food. In Asia, people use basil in masala tea on daily basis. Basil can also be found in supplement form but make sure you buy a good one!