Content
Purple basil differs from its green counterparts only in color. The benefits and harms of basil violet are almost the same with other types of table plants of this genus. It is unlikely that this variety is a separate species of the genus Basil. It is much more likely that this is a color mutation of common sweet basil. Some gardeners are even of the opinion that the common species changes color from green to purple with age.
This opinion is clearly mistaken, since green sweet basil even blooms, retaining its color. But purple is really green in the early stages and only then gains color. The color change can be regulated by the same mutated gene that causes the increased mercury content of purple basil.
Why is purple basil useful for the body?
At a time when you had to be treated with what grew in the nearest forest and trust in God, basil was called the royal herb and it was believed that it brings great benefits and no harm. There is no data on the time when the purple variety of basil appeared. Usually, when mentioning the benefits of this herb, they speak first of all about the green form.
Indeed, the beneficial properties and contraindications of purple basil differ little from those of the green variety. But there are still differences. Moreover, purple basil has both benefits and harm to health in some cases in greater quantities than green. The harm lies in the increased content of mercury, compared to a common plant. Benefit - in the increased content of plant pigment from the group of anthocyanins. Otherwise, the benefits of all varieties are the same:
- anesthesia;
- disinfection;
- tonic effect.
What are anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are plant pigments that determine the color of flowers. Thanks to anthocyanins, flowers can be:
- pink;
- red;
- brown;
- blue;
- purple.
Since the color depends on the Ph cell, the flowers of the same plant species can be different depending on the acidity of the soil. On acidic soil, the flowers will be red, on neutral soil, blue-violet, on alkaline soil, yellow-green.
Some plants, including purple basil, also contain anthocyanins in the stems and leaves. In this case, the color intensity of the foliage also directly depends on the intensity of illumination: the more light, the richer the color.
Thus, the color of purple basil depends on 4 factors:
- the amount of anthocyanins in the plant;
- acidity of the soil;
- illumination level
- varieties.
Accordingly, the benefits may decrease or increase, but there is no data on harm. Perhaps the harm remains at the same level everywhere.
The benefits of anthocyanins
These pigments reduce intestinal inflammation from excess fat and carbohydrate intake. Improves intestinal barrier functions. Accordingly, according to these indicators, the benefits of the purple variety of grass are greater than from the green one.
Why is purple basil useful for women
The beneficial properties of purple basil for women are, first of all, in a good mood due to the belief in the miraculousness of the plant.A happy woman with shining eyes is beautiful at any age.
But the real benefits cannot be denied. Purple basil contains substances needed to keep skin smooth:
- 1-1.5% of essential oils in the aerial part;
- 6% tannins;
- 12-20% oil in seeds;
- vitamin P;
- camphor;
- provitamin A;
- vitamin C;
- salons.
Essential oil has a complex structure. It includes:
- eugenol (70%);
- camphor;
- linalool;
- cineole;
- ocimen.
Many of these essential oils are used in either perfumery or pain relievers.
It is best to nourish the skin with vitamins and other beneficial substances "from the inside" by adding fresh spice to food.
When applied externally, basil disinfects the skin, eliminating minor inflammations and acne. To do this, in the morning every day, wipe the skin with a swab dipped in basil broth. After 30 minutes, wash with clean water.
Basil, including purple basil, is also believed to improve the flow of breast milk. But no one has conducted serious research on this matter.
But the harm from mercury is well established. But if you grow grass on environmentally friendly soil, then the harm will be minimal.
Why is purple basil useful for men
In the East, basil is considered an aphrodisiac. And purple is especially honored as “the strongest”. In fact, not a single variety produces a special effect. But due to the large amount of nutrients, purple basil stimulates the central nervous system and improves overall well-being. In such cases, everything else is automatically attached.
Why purple basil is harmful
What are the benefits of the increased amount of anthocyanins in purple basil is discussed in detail above. But the benefits of this plant are balanced by the harm from the high content of another substance.
Any kind of basil contains mercury. But purple is the record holder among fellows. Mercury causes irritation and inflammation in the intestines. Thus, the potential benefits of a high anthocyanin content are negated due to the maximum amount of mercury in purple basil.
Basil is contraindicated in diseases associated with the cardiovascular system:
- hypertension;
- ischemia;
- thrombophlebitis;
- myocardial infarction.
Plant varieties with a high anthocyanin content are capable of thickening the blood. If there are disorders in the process of hematopoiesis or increased blood coagulability, it is better to refuse all types of basil.
Where is purple basil used?
The main purpose of fresh twigs is to decorate dishes. Green and purple branches, when properly selected and laid, form very beautiful color combinations. There are several purple varieties with differing aromas and leaf colors. You can pick up those that you like best.
Anthocyanin varieties
Varieties with a high content of plant pigments. The leaves of plants have a different shade. If you look at the photo of purple basil varieties, you can see that the color of the leaves varies from green with red veins to almost black. In addition to color, these red basil varieties differ in taste and aroma. For each individual dish, you can choose the ideal variety:
- Ararat: canned vegetables, salads, marinades.
- Yerevan: soups, vegetable dishes, fish, meat. Looks good in a decorative flower bed.
- Dark opal: in dry and fresh form, it is used to prepare vinegar, spices, aromatic oils.
- Osmin: salads and marinades.
- Red ruby: universal application.
Colored varieties are also found in peppery varieties of spicy herbs.
In winter, the plant can be used dry as a spice and for cooking decoctions. But for this you need to be able to dry it properly so that the leaves do not lose color and useful properties.
How to keep basil purple for the winter
Harvested during the height of flowering and obligatory in dry weather. The bushes are cut along the foliage line.Since this is a grass, although it sometimes looks like a shrub, before the fall, the basil will have time to grow again, and it can be cut again. When mowing the grass during flowering, you can get the maximum amount of nutrients. The moment of mowing is determined by the color of the seeds in the first order brushes. The color of the seeds should be brown.
The resulting raw materials are dried in the shade under a canopy. It is important that the drying area is well ventilated. You can dry it by tying it in bundles and hanging it on a string or spreading it out on a clean surface.
The sun's rays cause significant damage when drying raw materials. They will especially affect the preservation of color, which will disappear under the sun. When properly dried and stored in an air and water tight container, basil will retain its smell and color until the next harvest.
Another storage method is deep freezing. In this case, you can get the maximum benefit without much effort. Almost all nutrients are preserved in frozen foods. But the water remaining in the fresh twigs destroys the leaf cells, causing irreparable harm. When using frozen herb, thaw exactly as much as needed at a time. Basil cannot be frozen a second time.
The third option is to grind the grass in a meat grinder and add salt. Other products are added if desired: garlic, lemon juice, and more. When storing such a blank in the refrigerator in a pre-sterilized container, the basil will stand up to the next harvest, but its color may change.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of basil violet in general balance each other, and the decorative appearance expands the scope. If purple basil does more harm than good, you can not eat it, but decorate it with a flower bed or windowsill in the house. But the benefits of this aromatic herb will be all the same: the spice is capable of repelling insects.
