Basil Seed: Yes Indeed Eat This Seed!

Have you ever heard of eating basil seeds? They are indeed very good for you! Basil seeds have been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries as a natural remedy for indigestion, ulcers, diarrhea, fever reducer, and protection against radiation. They stimulate the nervous system and protect against oxidative DNA damage and gene mutations. Other names for them are sweet basil, sabja, and tukmaria seeds.

Nutritional Benefits

These tiny black seeds aren’t just for growing basil herbs but are deeply nutritious edible seeds. Similar to chia seeds, basil seeds are a nutritional powerhouse and are often referred to as a superfood or a functional food. Check out these impressive nutrition facts!

Basil seeds:

• Are lectin-free, unlike the chia seed. For information about lectins, look here.
• Are a substantial source for calcium, magnesium, and iron.
• Contain significantly higher concentrations of vitamin E than flaxseeds.
• Are an excellent antioxidant.
• Are anti-inflammatory and have anticancer properties.
• Are full of healthy unsaturated fat, quality protein, and all of the carbohydrates are fiber, making them ideal for maintaining stable blood sugar.
• Are high in soluble fiber, including pectin, which nourishes favorable gut bacteria, promotes satiety, helps with blood sugar control, and improves cholesterol.  Basil seeds have TWICE the fiber as chia.
• Are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. One tablespoon provides the recommended daily intake.

 Using Basil Seeds

It’s best to soak basil seeds for 15 minutes [1 Tablespoon in 8 ounces of water or other liquid] before using them in recipes, unless the recipe contains a lot of liquid, such as a soup, in which case pre-soaking would not be needed.  The seeds will triple in size and then can be added to smoothies and protein shakes, used in homemade lemonade and other drinks, soups, salad dressings, yogurt, puddings, and oatmeal.  If using them in baked goods, you can grind them and use them to replace part of the flour rather than adding them soaked.  They also can be used as an egg replacer; 1 tablespoon soaked in 3 tablespoons of water will replace one egg in a recipe. You will find many recipes on the web as well as numerous quality brands.

Yes indeed! Eat this seed, and be well.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/basil-seeds

Calderón Bravo H, Vera Céspedes N, Zura-Bravo L, Muñoz LA. Basil Seeds as a Novel Food, Source of Nutrients and Functional Ingredients with Beneficial Properties: A Review. Foods. 2021 Jun 24;10(7):1467. doi: 10.3390/foods10071467. PMID: 34202798; PMCID: PMC8303141.

The Woodlands Institute for Health & Wellness - Mila McManus MD

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