Holy Basil Juice Recipes for Reducing Gut Inflammation
Most people are aware of the uses of Holy Basil as a herb and a flavouring agent. However, Holy Basil also offers excellent medicinal and health benefits. Today, we will cover these and share 3 juicing recipes that help you gain from the anti-inflammatory properties of Holy Basil.
Why is Holy Basil Beneficial for Our Gut?
Holy Basil benefits our gut in multiple ways:
1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
According to this research report, Holy Basil possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Compounds such as Eugenol and Ursolic acid in Holy Basil help reduce inflammation in the gut lining and other parts of the body.
2. Aids Gut Healing
Reduced inflammation also allows the gut and digestive tract to repair, resulting in faster healing. A healthy gut also functions more efficiently, leading to better digestion and absorption of nutrients in the body.
3. Balances Gut Bacteria
According to a research report published by Science Direct, the ethanol extract of basil exhibits antibacterial and antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial and antibacterial effects help maintain good bacteria in the gut, which aids digestion.
4. Provides Anti-oxidative Benefits
According to this research report, Holy Basil contains various antioxidants, such as essential oils, terpenes, and phenolics. These antioxidants reduce inflammation in the digestive system, protect gut cells from free radicals, and even strengthen the immune system.
5. Reduces Stress
Holy Basil indirectly helps our digestive system as well. It naturally lowers cortisol levels, which helps manage stress, which is also closely associated with digestive problems. In effect, juices made from Holy Basil can also help reduce stress.
Why Use a Slow Juicer for Holy Basic Juices?
Before we share the Holy Basil Juice Recipes for Gut Inflammation, it's important to understand why it's better to use a Masticating Juicer like ours to extract the juice.
1. Preserves Nutrients
A slow juicer minimizes heat and oxidation, which helps retain more nutrients, antioxidants, and enzymes.
2. Helps Extract More Juice
Holy Basil leaves are small but fibrous. A slow juicer can help extract maximum juice from such small leaves. That's why the juice yield is higher than normal.
3. Extracts More Flavor
Slow juicers protect the natural flavor of ingredients like Holy Basil. All this without making the juices bitter.
4. Reduces Foam
Traditional juicers generate a lot of foam due to their fast juicing action. The foam can deviate the taste and texture of the juice. Slow juicers, on the other hand, offer a more natural, vibrant flavor while avoiding foaming. The absence of foam also helps prevent juice separation, which in turn preserves the taste and texture of the juice for a longer period.
5. More Efficient with Greens
Traditional juicers use fast-spinning blades to shred and spin out juice from the ingredients. This doesn't work well with fibrous greens like Basil, as these just get flung around without being thoroughly juiced.
Slow juicers, on the other hand, use a crushing mechanism to not just squeeze out every drop but also reduce wastage. In the process, they also prevent oxidation.
3 Delicious Holy Basil Juice Recipes for Gut Inflammation
The 3 Juicing for Gut Health recipes below will help you with gut inflammation.
Juice 1: Holy Basil Green Gut Juice
Ingredients Required
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Fresh Holy Basil Leaves (1 cup)
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Green Apple (1)
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Pear (1)
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Fresh Parsley (1/2 cup)
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Snap Peas (1/2 cup)
Recipe:
Step 1: Wash all ingredients thoroughly.
Step 2: First, add the Holy Basil leaves to the slow juicer and start the extraction process.
Step 3: After extracting the juice of Holy Basil, add apple, pear, parsley, and snap peas.
Step 4: Once the juice has been extracted, pour it into a glass, stir it well, and serve immediately.
This juice offers not just the anti-inflammatory properties of Holy Basil but also ample fiber content, which reduces gut inflammation while promoting healthy gut lining.
Recipe #2: Basil Lemonade Cooler
Ingredients Required:
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Holy Basil Leaves (1 cup)
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Fresh Lemon Juice (1.25 cups)
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Honey (1/2 cup)
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Cold Water (3 cups)
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Ice Cubes (Optional)
Recipe
Step 1: Add Holy basil leaves to the juicer first to extract maximum juices from it.
Step 2: Next add lemon juice, and honey to the slow juicer to blend them well.
Step 3: Strain the mixture into a pitcher to remove any residue.
Step 4: Add cold water as per preference and stir well.
Step 5: Serve with ice as a refreshing and healthy drink.
Holy Basil and Lemon both possess anti-inflammatory properties, making them better options for gut health than the other juices in this post. Additionally, due to their high water content, they're extremely hydrating.
Recipe #3: Gut Soothing Holy Basil Juice
Ingredients required
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Holy Basil Leaves (1 cup)
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Cucumber Peeled (1)
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Green Apple (1)
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Fresh Ginger (1)
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Peeled Lemon (1/2)
Recipe:
Step 1: Thoroughly wash all ingredients.
Step 2: Add Holy Basil leaves to the slow juicer first. That allows the machine to extract delicate flavors and essential oils appropriately.
Step 3: Once Holy Basil juice is extracted, follow the same procedure for cucumber, apple, and ginger.
Step 4: Lastly, add a few drops of lemon juice to it after pouring it into a pitcher, which will enhance the flavor and also provide antioxidants.
Step 5: Stir the juice well before pouring it into a glass.
Step 6 (Optional): Add ice to the glass for added refreshment.
This juice for gut health is a well-balanced option. Holy Basil calms the gut, cucumber hydrates, and apple adds to the juice's natural sweetness and fiber content. Ginger, on the other hand, aids digestion, whereas lemon adds a refreshing taste.
Tips for Juicing Holy Basil
Extracting juice from Holy Basil leaves isn't as simple as putting as many leaves as you want. Follow the tips to gain maximum benefit and taste from Holy Basil.
1. Use in Limited Quantities
Always used Holy Basil leaves in limited quantities. In the recipes covered above, most recipes require just 1/2 cup or 1 cup of Holy Basil leaves. That's because using Holy Basil leaves excessively can overpower the juice due to their strong flavor. Holy Basil juice in large quantities can discomfort people with sensitive stomachs. However, in limited quantities, it is extremely beneficial.
Additionally, juices are most beneficial when they have a balanced nutrient and taste profile. That can only happen when you use Holy Basil leaves in limited quantities.
2. Pair it With Complimentary Fruits and Veggies
Holy Basil has some peppery notes, which can be too strong for some people. That's why pairing it with mild-flavored bases, such as cucumber or celery makes perfect sense. Additionally, natural sweeteners like green apple, pear, or watermelon also work well. These ingredients can balance the bitter and spicy profile of Holy Basil.
Since we are covering juices that are good for gut inflammation, pairing these juices with digestive boosters like ginger and lemon works very well.
Our point being, solely consuming Holy Basil juice isn't a good idea. Pairing it with some of these ingredients not only makes it tastier but also healthier. That's why all the juice recipes we covered above have additional ingredients.
3. Prep Holy Basil Before Juicing
Washing Holy Basil leaves carefully is the first prep step you need to follow. You need to follow a few additional steps, like:
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It's a good idea to remove thicker stems, as they can affect the taste of the juice.
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It's a good idea to dry Holy Basil leaves after washing them since the additional water content can dilute your juice.
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Lastly, always use Holy Basil leaves immediately after washing them to extract maximum flavor from it.
4. Add Holy Basil to the Juicer First
In most of the above recipes, we recommend adding Holy Basil leaves before any other ingredients.
Wondering why so?
That's because doing so helps the juicer extract maximum essential oils and juice from the herb before it gets clogged by heavier fruits and vegetables.
5. Drink The Juice Immediately
Irrespective of the ingredients of Holy Basil Juice, it's better to drink it immediately instead of storing it. There are a few reasons for this:
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The flavor profile and taste profile of such juices degrade quickly. That's the first reason to consume it as soon as possible.
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Secondly, the nutrient profile also minimizes with time. Since these juices are brewed to provide maximum benefit for your gut, it makes sense to drink them when they are most beneficial.
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As soon as the juice is exposed to oxygen, oxidation begins, which can reduce its antioxidant effects.
Because of these reasons, consuming the juice as soon as possible makes sense.
FAQs On Juice Recipes With Holy Basil for Anti Inflammation of the Gut
Is Holy Basil Good for the Stomach?
Holy Basil is good for the digestive system, including the gut. Additionally, the antioxidants make it extremely beneficial for the skin and respiratory system as well.
Can You Drink Holy Basil Every Day?
Holy Basil juice can be consumed daily, provided you limit your intake to 500 mg. However, since most juicing for gut inflammation recipes, including the ones we shared above, dilute it with juices of other ingredients, it's extremely safe and beneficial to consume it daily. As always, if you have any questions, it's a good idea to contact your doctor.
Which is Better, Holy Basil or Ashwagandha?
The benefits of Ashwagandha and Holy Basil don't exactly overlap for the most part. Holy Basil is a better choice if you're experiencing emotional stress, anxiety, or inflammation. Ashwagandha is a better choice if you regularly experience fatigue or hormonal imbalances. It's best to choose between them according to your needs rather than randomly.
Is Tulsi Alkaline or Acidic?
Tulsi or Holy Basil Leaves are acidic. However, diluting them with other juices reduces the acidity.
Gain Benefits of Holy Basil With Our Slow Juicer
So, if you're looking for an Anti Inflammatory Juice, go with any of the 3 juice recipes we have covered above. Besides being anti-inflammatory, these juices provide a whole host of other health benefits as well.
Want to gain maximum benefit from these juicing recipes? Check out our Slow Juicer which can help you extract maximum nutrients from vegetables and fruits.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/