Basil

Basil, an aromatic herb belonging to the mint family, is perhaps best known as the key ingredient in pesto, but it is basil’s medicinal properties, rather than its culinary value, that extend the herb’s uses far beyond pesto. Like other aromatic plants, basil contains essential oils and phytochemicals in the leaves, stem, flowers, roots and seeds that have biological activity in the body.
Throughout history, ancient cultures have used herbal remedies to prevent and treat illness and disease. Basil is just one example of the wide range of medicinal flora historically used in plant-based tinctures, compresses, syrups and ointments.  For centuries it has been used as a treatment for gastric, hepatic, respiratory and inflammatory disorders as well as a remedy for headache, fever, anxiety, convulsions, nausea and hypertension. Much research is being done on its ability to inhibit cancer.