In an effort to pass on my knowledge of why certain ingredients are particularly good for you I am providing some of the healthful benefits on the basil herb. While we don’t usually think of herbs as being an ingredient in a smoothie, we are overlooking any easy way to get these type of healthy herbs in our diet…without cooking a lengthy meal. Blending herbs in your smoothie is a quick way to ingest them and receive any curative or preventive powers they may have and basil has plenty. You can read much more here, but some of the highlights of basil include: It provides anti-inflammatory relief which stems from eugenol, a volatile oil in basil that blocks enzymes in the body that cause swelling, making basil an ideal treatment for people with arthritis.

Basil is known to have antioxidants that protect the body from premature aging and age-related problems and even types of cancer. Basil contains the flavonoids orientin and vicenin, which are plant pigments that block your cell structures from oxygen and radiation damage. Basil can help with constipation, stomach cramps and indigestion. It can also be used to give relief from the common cold, flu, asthma, bronchitis and sinus infections.

So what are you waiting for, try this smoothie and let us know what you think? Is basil a good smoothie an ingredient or should we just add more strawberries next time?

Related Recipes:

1. Lemon Basil Smoothie
2. Mango Madness Smoothie Recipe
3. Banana Chai Smoothie Recipe
4. Vanilla Banana Smoothie Recipe