Traditional pesto is made with basil. Crush dried leaves with hands or in a mortar and pestle to release the herb's flavor before using it to cook. The fresh herbs can be used in salads, gravies, pork, veal, mutton and fish dishes. When cooked in vegetarian dishes, basil adds a new dimension to them. It can soothe pain and promote perspiration.
Nursing mothers can eat basil to promote production of breast milk.
This herb also has a sedative effect. Sweet basil herb is very popular in Thai and Italian cuisine. Inc. PageWise makes no representations about the content published on this site. PageWise hereby disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to this information, and user agrees that all such use is at its own risk. If you are under 18, please do NOT opt-in to receive email offers on this page.