Purple basil - benefits and harm

Purple or red basil is becoming increasingly popular. Having much in common with the green representative of the family, species with a dark color are distinguished by a number of features in terms of external characteristics, aromatic qualities, taste characteristics, and also amaze with the abundance of varieties and benefit our health.

From the article you will learn how basil differs from regan, what purple varieties exist and what the health benefits and harms of the plant are.

Another name for basil

A popular spice distributed throughout the world is called differently:

• ocimum – official designation in Latin;
• royal grass - this name is found in literature - this is a direct translation of the word basileus (“king”, “king”);
• popular names reflect its inherent rich smell: fragrant cornflower, smelly, dushki;
• the ancient Greek name for the herb is okimon;
• Eastern names that sound similar to each other: reyhan, rean, regan, raikhon - all this is basil.

Each of the names refers to all plants of the genus, regardless of color, type or varieties. The most common of them are basil and regan.

Purple or red basil: description of the species

Regan, like mint, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Common characteristics of species with dark-colored leaves and stems are a peppery taste and a sharper aroma due to the high content of essential oils.

Purple and red basil is used not only for food or for treatment, but also as an ornamental plant decorating park areas and garden plots.

Depending on the variety:

• annuals and perennials, propagated by seeds or seedlings;
• height of bushes from 15 to 70 cm;
• a variety of aromatic and taste nuances - shades of pepper, cloves, bay leaves, ginger, mint and even vanilla;
• the color of the stem and leaves varies from red-green to violet-black, including lilac, purple, brown and combinations thereof;
• flowers - from pale pink to purple;
• leaves are ovate in shape with finely or coarsely toothed edges, from 1 to 6 cm in length;
• The stems are pubescent or smooth, becoming woody in an adult plant.

Woody branches of sacred basil (tulsi) are used during rituals in Hinduism; beads and rosaries are made from them.

Health benefits and harms of purple basil

A rich content of rutin and carotene is inherent in any variety of regan. But the concentration of essential oils, saponin and eugenol in purple varieties is 1.5-2 times higher than in green ones. The plant is used in folk and official medicine, cosmetics and food industries.

Attention! Basil, along with laurel, wormwood and rosemary, serves as a raw material for the production of camphor, used in medicine and aromatherapy.

Useful and healing properties

Regular inclusion of reyhan in the diet contributes to:

• accelerating metabolic processes and burning fat;
• strengthening blood vessels;
• establishing intestinal motility, removing accumulated gases;
• removal of uric acid, destruction of kidney stones, reduction of pain;
• maintaining and restoring immunity.

Basil infusions:

• help with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, having antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and carminative effects;
• relieve or reduce pain in renal and intestinal colic;
• increase blood pressure.

Decoctions are used for:

• healing of internal and external wounds;
• prevention of caries and gum disease;
• strengthening hair roots and improving their structure.

Inhalation of plant essential oils:

• stimulates the functioning of the cardiovascular system,
• has a calming effect on the nervous system;
• protects against respiratory diseases;
• relieves asthma.

Freshly squeezed juice of the plant relieves inflammation of the middle ear and is used in the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds.

With an integrated approach and proper nutrition, basil reduces the risk of cancer. The high iron content in regan in combination with essential oils relieves headaches and stimulates oxygen saturation in the blood. Beta-carotene present in the grass improves vision, nails, hair and skin.

Important! The best time to collect basil to obtain essential oils is spring, and the maximum accumulation of ascorbic acid coincides with the appearance of flower stalks.

Harm and contraindications

Abuse of even the most useful product leads to the opposite effect. Thus, taking reyhan in excessive quantities irritates the intestinal mucosa, and essential oils can cause an allergic reaction.

The use of basil preparations is contraindicated for:

• heart disease - ischemia, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris;
• hypertension;
• thrombophlebitis and thrombosis;
• diabetes mellitus;
• epilepsy.

Raw herbs can be consumed in small quantities, depending on your well-being.

Purple Basil Varieties

There are 69 varieties of regan in total.About a third of them are purple and red species.

Due to high yield, taste and aroma, the following are grown more often than others:

1. Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum - “holy basil”) - sparsely toothed greenish-lilac leaves, ovoid in shape on short petioles, the stem and leaves are covered with hairs. Bright clove-pepper notes prevail, the aftertaste is slightly bitter. It is widespread in India, where it is used in rituals, used in Ayurvedic medicine and added to spicy dishes.
2. Yerevan – an early ripening variety, stretches up to 60 cm, blooms in pink and lilac. Added to food and used to decorate flower beds. Gives 2-3 harvests per season. Stands out with the aroma of allspice and tea.
3. Black Garnet – bred in Egypt. A compact, lush bush with an intense spicy aroma, produces 2-3 harvests per season, provided that the lower pairs of leaves are left when cutting.
4. Violet - refers to mid-season varieties. Grows up to 70 cm, leaves with short petioles, ovate, with sparse teeth. The stem and leaves are covered with hairs. Pepper notes predominate.
5. Purple – early ripening, up to 30-40 cm in height, spreading with small leaves of violet-green or purple color. The variety has a clove scent.
6. Vanilla aroma - a tall plant with succulent leaves that change color from green to purple as they grow. Due to its specific taste, it is used for the production of vanillin.
7. Aramis and Red Ruby – two more varieties suitable for the production of confectionery and flavoring drinks due to their pronounced caramel-fruity aroma. Mid-season, up to 40 cm high.
8. Osmin - a compact, well-leafed bush up to 30-40 cm high with small fine-toothed purple leaves. It has a spicy smell and mild taste. Bred in India.
9. Dark opal (African blue basil) is a non-flowering hybrid, bred in 1950 in the USA. The plant is red-violet in color with crimson flowers. The taste is dominated by hints of pepper and cloves.

A mixture of crushed rosemary leaves and dark-colored, peppery regan varieties is used in place of pepper.

The variety of nuances of smells, tastes, shapes and sizes of plants, as well as their speed of ripening allows you to:

• obtain harvests from different varieties throughout the season;
• prepare for future use in dried and frozen form;
• grow as an ornamental plant in the garden or in the apartment.

This is interesting:

What are the benefits of basil tea and what are the most delicious recipes for brewing it?

What is good about the “Dwarf” basil variety: reviews from those who grew it, advantages and disadvantages

How to properly store fresh basil in the refrigerator

Conclusion

Having come across any of the names of basil in cookbooks or traditional medicine recipes, you no longer have to guess what they are talking about.

Knowing a little more about the variety of varieties and the differences in species, it will be easier to choose a plant that satisfies aesthetic and taste preferences. And spice lovers will certainly appreciate the intensity of the tastes and aromas of purple varieties.