Basil seeds offer a number of health benefits to your child. Some of the health benefits include improved digestion, healthy skin and the ability to fight common cold and flu. Basil seeds are also known for their antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-cancer properties. It will help your child to cure stomach related problems and will have a cooling affect on his/her digestive process. Basil seeds are also good for strong and health hair growth. They cure constipation and sooths the nervous system of your child. Overall, basil seeds can be considered as a super-food for your little one.

Giving Basil Seeds to your Child:

There are a number of ways by which you can offer basil seeds to your child. However, make sure that the seeds are wet and soft. Otherwise, it will cause choking hazard for your little one. Basil seed soaks-up water much quicker than chia seeds. Basil seeds get soaked in five minutes. But if you are planning on giving basil seeds to your child then at least soak the seeds for a couple of hours. It helps it to soften. Also soaking the seeds helps the digestive enzymes to release. There will a jelly-like coating surrounding the seed. There are a number of ways by which you can offer basil seeds to your child.

• By adding them to the drinks
• Blending them with the smoothies
• Sprinkling them on top of salads
• Mixing with cheese and cream sauce
• Use them in desserts
• Mix them with yogurt or fruit.

However, before adding to the drinks you should add basil seeds in chewable food items. Mixing them with salads and fruits can be a good start.

Health Benefits of Basil Seeds

There are many health benefits offered by basil seeds. Your baby can be befitted from basil seeds, in a number of ways.

Boosts Digestion

Basil seed contains many digestive enzymes. This helps to improve your child’s digestive capacity. Weekly consumption of basil seed can seriously improve the digestive potential of your child.

Improves Metabolism

Better digestion often improves the overall metabolism. During the early growth stage your child requires natural metabolic simulators. Basil seeds solve the purpose.

Protects the Liver

Basil seeds have the capacity to boost and improve the liver function of your child. Consumption of fast foods and fatty foods often causes harm to the liver health. For that reason it is important to offer him/her some natural substitute which will protect the liver functions.

Rich in Vitamin A

Basil is a fantastic source of Vitamin A. It helps your child’s skin to remain healthy. Vitamin A is also good for your child’s little eyes. It will improve his/her vision and fight against any kind of infection in the body.

Strengthening Hair

Basil seeds are a fantastic source of iron. That is why she boosts the red blood cell formation in your child’s body. It also strengthens and nourishes hair. If you are worried about the lack of hair in your child’s wee head then feed him/her with basil seeds. The nourishment derived from this kind of seed will definitely boost the hair growth for your child.

Soothes Nerves

 Basil seeds are also rich in potassium. Potassium is a mineral which ensures proper functioning of heart and the nerves system. In the growth stage it is important for your child to keep his/her healthy and free of any sort of fat.

Anti-oxidant

 Basil seeds contain a high level of anti-oxidants known as phenol’s. This protects your child’s cell membrane from any sort of damage caused by the free radicals. This means your child will be less prone to falling ill if basil seeds are given on a regular basis. It will protect your child’s heart and help it remain strong.

Cures Constipation

Plenty of sugary treat often causes constipation and gas in your little one. The high amount of digestive enzyme present in basil seeds helps your child to digest food properly. This helps your child to regularize the bowel movement.

Improves Respiratory System

A mixture of basil seed with ginger and honey can solve respiratory disorder for your child. You can also simply add basil seeds to a glass of boiling water and offer it to your child. It will protect his/her lung along with the respiratory tract.

Fights off Flu

The anti-inflammatory quality of basil seeds help in fighting off common cold and flu. Regular consumption of basil seeds will help your child to fight off flu and common cold and fever. It will also help him/her keep dangerous ailments like bronchitis and influenza. Due to the marvelous antispasmodic properties basil seed can also treat diseases like whooping cough.

Calms Down

Basil seeds have an overall soothing effect on your child’s nervous system. It uplifts the mood. It also helps them to recover fatigue or exhaustion. In case your child gets tired easily then feed him/her with basil seeds.  Otherwise, also basil seeds have great impact on the overall nervous system of your child.

Precautions & Measures

Till date, there are no known side effects of basil seeds. However, when you are planning to feed your child with such seeds, make sure he/she does not choke in it. For that reason you should soak the seeds for a couple of hours before giving it to your child. Also you should start adding them to solids like salad or fruits. Then you can add them to any juice or smoothie. Let your child understand the texture and composition of the seed before swallowing them. Otherwise, they might choke themselves leading to a blockage in the food tract.

Basil seeds are available in Asian or organic food stores. There are also canned desserts available with basil seeds. However, it is best not to offer your child with canned desserts. You can sprinkle the seeds on yogurt and custard and offer it to your child. You can also home-grow sweet basil plants and collect the seeds from there.