Benefits of Basil + Mint

If you have a herb garden, you may have extras and wonder what to do with them. Maybe you don't have a garden but see the fabulous bounty of herbs at your local farmers market. NOW is the time to make plans to preserve the power and good healing components of the plants.. Ready NOW: Basil + Mint

What is Basil Good For?

I like to add it to fresh tomato open-faced sandwiches and well.. it gets chopped and added to many dishes. It is so much more than a 'great herb for pesto'. Basil pairs very well with tomatoes - is used in sauces, on pizzas, adorning bruschetta, and paired with your favourite cheeses. It is used in green Thai curry blend, 'bouquet garni', as well as in, of course Italian seasoning blends. We can flavour mayonnaise or aioli, add to yogurt or sour cream for sauces, make herbed butters which can then be easily frozen. I like to infuse olive oil with basil!

By the way, it's a member of the Mint family. Did you know that?

What do YOU like to make with your basil?

Why eat BASIL ??

There are so many benefits of basil, here are a few. There are more, but here are a few key reasons:
Basil is

anti-biotic
a strong anti-microbial
anti-inflammatory
anti-cancer
antiseptic
anti-fungal
anti-viral
cardiac supportive
carminative
muscle-relaxing due to high Magnesium content

Basil can be a great support for the digestive system; providing relief from stomach cramps, gas + nausea. I've used 'basil medicine' successfully to help with inflammation due to celiac, crohns, colitis and IBS. Basil contains eugenol, which helps to decrease inflammation, in the above situations and also in cases of fibromyalgia and arthritis as studies indicate that basil inhibits the same enzyme which is blocked by OTC drugs like Ibuprofen & Tylenol.

Adding basil to our meals makes good sense and is SO good for you. Tis the season! ENJOY!

Make lots while it's THE perfect time to buy it - and freeze the extra in a convenient ice-cube tray sized cubes.

Here's another idea for using BASIL to delight your family with these recipes for pesto variations.

Can I freeze basil?

Yes! It's easy. Wash basil, pat dry with a paper towel, give it a rough chop, spread on cookie sheet & freeze. Remove carefully with a spatula and place in small ziplock baggies so that your Basil can delight you all winter long!

Basil + Mint - Pesto Chevre appetizer with Basil

One of my favourite festive appetizers with fresh basil

Click here for the recipe for "Herbs and marinated Chevre"

What is Mint and How can I use it?

The mint family is huge. Besides the common peppermint and spearmint, wild mints are plentiful and are powerful herbal allies. Some mints that you may know but not realize are related? Catnip, and my fave, Lemon Balm for starters.

Gardeners and herb enthusiasts alike love to grow Chocolate mint, Pineapple mint, Applemint and well..the list seems without end. Mints are easy to grow and these hybridized varieties make delicious teas, all year 'round. This year I've added 'orange mint' and will write about my adventures with 'her' later!

I use peppermint, spearmint and wild mints medicinally. These share common properties, although each has its own strengths in the herbal apothecary. I prepare tinctures and dry mint for tea. as all mints can be brewed into delicious healthful infusions (tea or tisane).

Mint Basil - Spearmint important member of mint family

Why eat Mint?

Check out these highlights:

Excellent digestive herb ~ promotes better digestion, calms upset tummy, soothes indigestion, calms gas
Excellent carminative ~ promotes bile production and flow which aids fat metabolism and increases elimination
Good relaxant for respiratory system ~ relieves congestion of lungs, nose, throat. Calms cough, supportive lung tonic
Anti-bacterial ~ excellent for oral health as is also 'germicidal'
Anti-nausea

Basil + Mint

These two herbs are so amazing, it makes you question... Why not combine these two superpower herbs?

PASTA with BASIL + MINT

Pasta with Basil + Mint

Ingredients

1 16 ounce package uncooked pasta ~ penne, rotini, fetuccine or linguini etc.(your choice!)
6 to matoes seeded and roughly chopped
20 fresh basil leaves
10 fresh mint leaves
2 cloves garlic chopped
½ cup almonds raw
2 tablespoons ricotta cheese
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese freshly grated
1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and pepper freshly ground, to your taste

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Put the pasta in the pot.
Cook for 10 minutes or so, until al dente.
Drain the pasta, reserving 2 tablespoon pasta water.
In a food processor or blender, combine the water, tomatoes, basil, mint, garlic, almonds, cheeses and olive oil.
Blend until smooth. Add the sea salt and pepper as desired.

Recipe Notes

Toss with the pasta and serve with a sprig or two of basil and/or mint.

Whatever way you choose to enjoy the bounty of garden and/or farmers markets,

ENJOY!
Do find yourself some Basil + Mint and have fun with these flavours ~ green blessings.. Car0l

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Comments

Maria

September 08, 2017 at 9:14 am

I have an over abundance of Ginger Mint this year. Not sure what to do with it?

- Carol Little
  
  September 13, 2017 at 12:46 am
  
  It's the first year I am growing it. Plan to dry for tea. IT's always an experiment. I look forward to it all!!
  
Charlie Ray

November 20, 2012 at 4:28 am

Mint is herb that smell very nice.mint chutney is recipe my is making in my home.it really taste very nice.after reading ur hub i got to know the benefit of mint.
Mint is one of my favorite herbs and teas. I had not heard of making "mint juice" before so I found that to be very interesting!
I love adding basil in salads and in meat. It makes meal so tasty and unforgetable. Thanks!