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Creamy Basil Dressing

September 13, 2016

Many people forget that instead buying salad dressings, they can create their own. In doing so you’re avoiding the notorious cheap omega 6 oils like “vegetable oil, safflower, sunflower, or soy oil…or the ever-present cheap canola oil. Preparing a dressing at home, like this creamy basil dressing is much healthier and tastier as well as cheaper.

Healthy Nutrients found in basil

Basil comes with a specific taste, but it also comes with a wide range of nutrients and health benefits. Basil is an excellent source of vitamin K and manganese; a very good source of copper, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids such as beta-carotene), and vitamin C; and a good source of calcium/magnesium (like all green leafy vegetables), iron, folate, and omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains good phytonutrients like ocimene, pinene, and terpineol. Basil is anti-inflammatory like NSAIDs, as it is a COX inhibitor just like those drugs. This can help relieve such conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. Magnesium in basil promotes cardiovascular health by prompting muscles and blood vessels to relax, thus improving blood flow and lessening the risk of irregular heart rhythms or a spasming of the heart muscle or a blood vessel. Basil can stabilize cholesterol levels in the blood and protect from strokes and cardiac problems. My patients are NOTORIOUSLY deficient in magnesium, which corresponds to the studies and statistics: Mg is one of the most commonly deficient nutrients in the USA.

Basil is a strong anti-bacterial food, which can help people dealing with fever. In addition, basil is extremely helpful for respiratory problems like bronchitis, asthma, influenza, and cold. This herb opens up the lungs, clears the mucus and can cure a sore throat at the same time. It is also often called an anti-stress herb and can be used to improve vision, keep teeth healthy and get rid of oral infections.

Sweetening Your Basil Dressing with honey

The creamy basil dressing also includes honey as a sweetener. This is not a surprise for nutritionists because honey is a rare sweetener that comes in the completely natural state. In other words, it doesn’t contain any preservatives, or chemicals and provides all the nutrients it has. Honey has the same caloric value as sugar. However, when you consume honey you are getting a wide range of nutrients and immune system support. It is good for the respiratory system and for digestion and helps people fight bacterial infections.

Enjoy this simple creamy basil dressing recipe! Looking for more recipes with functional nutrition benefits? Follow me on Pinterest!