Basil, or ‘umwenya’ in Kinyarwanda, is a herb in the mint family. It adds flavour to meals and its nutrients provide numerous health benefits.
In Rwanda, basil is normally grown by family farmers, and it is said to provide vitamins, minerals, and a range of antioxidants essential for one’s health.
Its essential oil may also have medicinal benefits, whilst basil leaves are used in a variety of culinary preparations. From a healthy gut to stronger immunity, the benefits of basil leaves are quite many.
Emmy Ntamanga, a Kigali-based nutrition consultant, says basil is known for its nutrient powerhouse. He says it is an excellent source of vitamin K and manganese, a very good source of copper, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids such as beta-carotene), and vitamin C; and a good source of calcium, iron, folate, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids.
Ntamanga says basil also provides some macronutrients, such as calcium and vitamin K, as well as a range of antioxidants.
For instance, he says, it has high concentration of chemical agents which give it a clove-like scent and a high concentration of limonene, which gives it a citrusy scent too.
Basil strengthens the digestive and nervous systems and can be a good remedy for headaches and insomnia.
Ntamanga says from studies, basil is known as a strong anti-inflammatory property that is believed to help in curing a variety of diseases and disorders.
Because of the essential oils in basil, the herb is also good when it comes to helping lower inflammation through the enzyme inhibiting properties.
The anti-inflammatory properties of basil may help lower risk of heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions.
Consumption of basil could also soothe fever, headache, sore throat, cough and flu.
Rene Tabaro, a nutritionist, says the oil found in basil has also been known to help cleanse the skin from within. He says this oil is good, especially for people with oily skin. It also helps remove dirt and impurities that clog pores within the skin.
"The strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of basil help prevent formation of acne,” he says.
Tabaro says consumption of basil also helps keep diabetes under control. He explains that this is so because basil helps slow the release of sugar in the blood, which is essential for the condition. The herb has a very low glycaemic load.
The essential oil present in basil also helps cut down triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which is a persistent risk factor for diabetes.
In addition, basil is also known to help restore the body’s natural pH levels, and feeds healthy bacteria within the gut, thus good for gut health.
"A healthy gut flora increases immunity and promotes healthy digestion, and consuming this herb on a regular basis can keep conditions that come as a result of indigestion at bay,” Tabaro says.