With so many artificial additives to our nutrition, we sometimes forget that natural food and products are equally powerful and beneficial to our health without negative side effects. Basil seeds are one of those “superfoods” and they deserve to be on your plate every day. Not surprisingly, they also bring numerous beauty benefits if used on a regular basis.
Related reading: 10 Fantastic Superfoods To Include In Your Diet
What are basil seeds and how do we eat them?
These nutritious seeds are also known as sweet basil or Sabja seeds and it’s important not to confuse them with Holy Basil or Tulsi. They are incredibly rich with vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates, as well as with fiber and healthy fats. And the bonus is that they have no calories at all. However, it’s not recommendable to eat them raw but rather after they’ve been soaked in water and added to drinks and foods. That’s when their nutritious value is at its highest. As soon as you soak them in water, the seeds begin to swell, doubling their size.
Regarding their taste, they don’t have a distinct one. In other words, you can garnish many foods and drinks with it without changing the taste you love and still getting a nutrition boost. You can blend them in lemonade, sprinkle them over desserts or salads or simply munch them when you feel like having a snack. In case you want the crunchy feel, then add them to soup or pasta.
Related reading: The Secrets Of Using Healthy Seeds On A Detox Diet
1. Stronger hair, dandruff-free
Basil seeds are highly beneficial to your hair. As they are rich with proteins, vitamin K and iron they will enhance better hair growth and significantly reduce hair loss. Mix equal quantities of amla and basil powder and make a paste using cold water. Don’t use it until the next morning – add a small amount of coconut oil to the paste and then apply it onto your hair. You’ll also notice that your hair has gained in volume and it could also stop the premature greying of hair.
You can also get rid of nasty dandruff by combining basil seeds hair oil with coconut or olive oil. Simply massage your scalp with the mixture and leave it overnight. The next morning, wash the mixture off with a mild shampoo. It will soothe the itching but will also improve blood circulation under the scalp, cleansing the roots and the scalp.
Related reading: Coconut Oil Detox | Detox without the Hunger
2. Healthy skin through detoxication and proper digestion
It’s a known fact that our gut health affects our skin – if there is a disbalance or an issue in the gut, it will almost definitely reflect on your skin – it will become dull, prone to acne or inflamed. So, you need to cleanse your organism from time to time and make sure your gut is healthy. Getting rid of toxins from the body is incredibly important for the whole body, especially the skin – it always reacts if something’s wrong inside.
This is where basil seeds come to aid – they have anti-fungal, anti-microbial and antibiotic qualities, meaning they lead to natural detoxification of the organism. Another compound in basil seeds enhances detoxification – insoluble dietary fibers. They are excellent at cleansing the entire gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, the digestion process will run more smoothly, preventing cramps, upset stomach and other gut issues.
Related reading: Start your Detox with a Bowel Cleansing Diet
3. Younger, softer skin
Your skin contributes a lot to your beauty. As a Panthea Plastic Surgery expert states, we are beautiful inside and out, each in our own, unique way. Healthy skin is beautiful skin but many of us want it also to look as young as possible. Basil seeds have an anti-aging effect, due to its powerful antioxidative properties.
Once we reach our mid-30s, wrinkles and other signs of aging can show up on the skin but basil seeds can help you fight them. Make a mixture of powdered basil, honey, fullers earth and a few drops of milk and coconut oil. Apply the mixture on your face and leave it to dry completely. Next, wash off the mixture with cold water and repeat the routine twice a week for the best results.
4. Easier, successful weight loss
We all tend to put on some weight from time to time but the more excess weight we have, the tougher it is to get rid of it. Basil seeds can be very helpful here because they are rich in ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). ALA speeds up your metabolism and fat burn, boosting the weight loss. As the seeds are also full of fiber, they make you feel full longer, so you won’t have strong cravings that often.
When soaked in water, basil seeds expand up to 30 times their actual size or volume, making the texture gelatinous. When you eat them, they will fill up your belly, leaving you full a for a long time with minimum calorie consumption. If you want to lose weight, the best way to eat basil seeds is to add them to a fruit salad or garnish them on a cup of sour curd. It’s important to eat them before your main meal for the strongest effect.
5. Redness and inflammations under control
Inflammations in the body and on the skin are a huge issue for many people. We have all experienced pains, annoying sensations in the body like tingling, as well as swelling and redness. Basil seeds are excellent anti-inflammatory agents, as they prevent the development of plaque in the blood vessels. In many cases, they help reduce swellings and pains connected even to arthritis. Your skin, being the most sensitive to inflammations in the body, will be much better protected with regular use of basil seeds in your diet.
6. No more fatigue
The lack of energy is clearly visible on our faces, affecting our appearance. Basil seeds help you boost your energy level and fight fatigue. These magical seeds help you deal with depression successfully, boosting your mood. We all know that things we eat affect our mood, so there’s one more reason to add basil seeds to your meals and feel better and more energetic.
7. Body temperature regulated
During hot summer days, it’s difficult to cool your body off. Your skin looks tired and full of acne due to excessive sweating, not to mention the redness and fatigue due to high temperatures. Basil seeds are an excellent measure for cooling down your body. Simply submerge a handful of fresh basil seeds in a glass or a mug of water and leave it for a couple of hours, then drink it with milk (or without it). If you add rose petal water or jam, the effect will be twice as stronger. Of course, you can simply add the seeds to your favorite summer drink.
8. Strong and healthy teeth and gums
Oral health is very important, especially when we know it affects our physical appearance. We all want a beautiful, white smile, so it’s necessary to take proper care of your teeth and gums. Consuming basil seeds will help in preventing cavities, bad mouth ulcers, plaque and bad breath. Basil seeds are very effective at destroying bacteria and fungi, microbes and viruses. You can try chewing pre-soaked basil seeds (just a teaspoon of them) every day before breakfast. Your oral care will be much improved, and your smile brighter.
Final comment
It’s now obvious that basil seeds are truly magical food; the one that should be available in everybody’s kitchen as a common spice. It is very simple to use in meals as it doesn’t change the flavor of your meals, so you don’t have any excuses for not using it. Go try it and enjoy its many benefits.
Author bio:
Mia Johnson is a writer with a ten-year-long career in journalism. She has written extensively about health, fitness, and lifestyle. A native to Melbourne, she now lives in Sydney with her 3 dogs where she spends her days writing and taking care of her 900 square feet garden.
