Leafy vegetables during pregnancy, or is it possible to eat basil, what is its benefit and harm? Cooking recipes

A healthy, properly formulated diet during pregnancy is a guarantee of its smooth running, safe delivery and the health of the future baby.

Therefore, during this period, it is necessary to carefully build your diet, specifying what is possible, what is not desirable, and what is absolutely impossible to enter into the menu of the future mother.

Many vegetables, which have long been famous for their beneficial properties, can cause irreparable harm to a woman and her baby during pregnancy.

Is it possible to eat during pregnancy?

Basil during pregnancy is possible, but in limited quantities, as it can lead to miscarriage in the early stages due to its tonic properties. In addition, basil contains many substances that are bad for the development of the fetus - cause various defects and anomalies. That is why many doctors often advise to exclude basil from the menu during the period of carrying a child.

If suddenly pregnant, well, I really wanted to basil, to eat it quite a bit is not forbidden (provided that the pregnancy proceeds easily and without complications). You can, for example, add it to a dish as a seasoning. In the last months of pregnancy, basil may impair digestion and irritate mucous membranes. Also, often due to the use of this leaf vegetable can increase blood pressure.

Sometimes doctors prescribe folk remedies based on basil, but only if it is not possible to replace it with a medicine. And here the main thing to remember is that it is absolutely impossible to take infusions, decoctions or basil juice inside - just as rinsing for the mouth, bath, lotion, etc.

Is there a benefit or not?

  1. Basil is an excellent immunostimulant.
  2. It has a healing effect.
  3. Well helps with bloating.
  4. Excellent tool for the treatment of bites of various insects.
  5. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
  6. Improves digestion.
  7. Enhances sweating.
  8. Rescues with headaches.
  9. Helps fight anemia.
  10. Protects against seizures.
  11. It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
  12. It helps with urolithiasis.
  13. Treats fungal diseases.
  14. Helps to cope with nausea, which is important for toxicosis.

How does it affect the fetus?

One of the main advantages of basil is its high content of folic acid. It is simply indispensable for many processes of the formation and development of the fetus - including its growth and cell division. In addition, the basilica contains calcium, which is simply necessary in the formation of the child's bone system.

Indications for use

  • Fatigue, nervous strain.
  • Insomnia.
  • Toothache.
  • Cystitis and other diseases associated with the urogenital system.
  • Cough.
  • Angina.
  • Stomatitis.
  • Cold, temperature.
  • Wounds.
  • Insect bites.
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Nausea, vomiting.
  • Low pressure in chronic form.
  • Constipation and bloating.
  • Avitaminosis.

Chemical composition

Vitamins

Vitamin A264 mcg
Beta Carotene3.142 mg
Beta Cryptoxanthin46 mcg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin5650 mcg
Vitamin B1Thiamine0.034 mg
Vitamin B2, Riboflavin0.076 mg
Vitamin B4, Choline11.4 mg
Vitamin B5Pantothenic acid0.209 mg
Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine0.155 mg
Vitamin B9, Folate68 mcg
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid18 mg
Vitamin E, Alpha tocopherol, TE0.8 mg
gamma tocopherol0.16 mg
Vitamin E, Fillohinon414.8 mcg
Vitamin PP, NE0.902 mg
Betaine0.4 mg

Trace elements:

Iron, Fe3.17 mg
Manganese, Mn1,148 mg
Copper, Cu385 mcg
Selen, Se0.3 mcg
Zinc, Zn0.81 mg

Macro elements:

Potassium, K295 mg
Calcium Ca177 mg
Magnesium Mg64 mg
Sodium, Na4 mg
Phosphorus, Ph56 mg

Contraindications

Basil is impossible when:

  • problems with the cardiovascular system;
  • hypertension;
  • diabetes;
  • epilepsy;
  • the tone of the uterus;
  • low blood clotting;
  • individual intolerance.

Basil increases the tone of the uterus, which can later lead to miscarriage or premature birth. Many varieties of this plant contain harmful toxic mercury compounds. An allergic reaction may occur on the essential oils that make up the plant. They can also cause gastrointestinal disorders, irritation of the mucous membranes. Therefore, even if a pregnant woman has no contraindications, if you use it too much, basil can even cause severe poisoning.

Precautionary measures

Before you enter into the diet of the future mom basil, you need to:

  1. Consult a doctor, make sure there are no contraindications.
  2. Make sure that a pregnant woman does not have individual intolerance - eat very little for a start and look at the reaction of the body. If everything is normal, then you can gradually increase the dose.
  3. For any adverse reaction (uterus tone, allergies, etc.) immediately eliminate from the diet.

How to apply?

No matter how much benefit basil may bring, it cannot be abused during pregnancy. The best option is to use it as a seasoning in small quantities. Besides can use fresh basil leaves in saladsIts combination with cheese and tomatoes is especially tasty. But before you crumble it in a dish, it is better to pour boiling water over the leaves - this will reduce the harmful effects of basil.

But to cook basil leaves is not recommended, in the process of cooking, it loses its taste and useful substances. If you want to put basil in the soup, it is better to do it at the very end. It is recommended to eat basil in small portions no more than 2 times a week.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, you can give yourself some slack and slightly increase the amount of basil in the menu if you want, but in the first months it is better to exclude this plant from the diet.

Useful recipes

Decoction

  • Dried basil - 15 grams;
  • Water - 1 cup.
  1. Chop basil and add water.
  2. Boil the broth should be in a water bath for about half an hour.
  3. After that, it must be filtered.

The cooled broth can be used for lotions and rinsing eyes with conjunctivitis. You can also make a bath with a decoction - it is very effective for eczema.

The juice

Concentrated fresh basil juice can be used to heal various wounds or to treat fungus. But juice can also be made from mouthwash:

  • basil juice - 1 tablespoon;
  • water - half a glass.

For cooking, you just need to mix the juice and warm water. Such a solution is great for quinsy. In addition, it helps strengthen the gums and treats various inflammations of the oral cavity.

Inhalation with oil

Inhalation is recommended for infections of the upper respiratory tract. They make it easier to breathe, help get rid of cough and help with chronic rhinitis.

Dry inhalation:

  • Basil oil - 2 drops.
  • Lemon oil - 3 drops.
  • Rosemary oil - 4 drops.

Apply the specified ingredients to a clean cloth. Breathe in the aroma several times a day.

Hot inhalation for easier breathing:

  • Basil oil - 5 drops.
  • Lavender oil - 5 drops.
  • Lemon oil - 5 drops.

Add the specified ingredients in a container with hot water. Tilt your head over the dishes, cover with a towel and breathe steam for about 10 minutes.

Tea

This tonic drink perfectly helps with any headaches. For tea you can take and fresh and dried basil. However, fresh leaves before preparations should be thoroughly rinsed in cold water and then dried.

To brew basil tea, you just need to pour boiling water over the leaves and let the drink stand for about half an hour. You can drink it hot or chilled like regular tea. But do not abuse it - drink this tea should be no longer than 3 weeks, and then you should take a break for at least a week.

Infusion of leaves

  • Basil dry - 1 tablespoon.
  • Water - 1 cup.

Preparing the infusion is very simple. It is necessary to boil water and pour basil leaves on it. Infuse medicine will be about 30 minutesand then it can be safely used for treatment. This infusion can rinse your mouth - it will help cure cough, ease toothache, as well as improve the condition of the gums during periodontal disease. In addition, they can wash the wounds that festered, make lotions on the eyes in cases of inflammation and fatigue.

What other leafy vegetables are useful?

Leafy vegetables are rich in folic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium and other essential nutrients during pregnancy.

  • Term 1 - Spinach, Celery and Green Salad. It is in these leafy vegetables that the highest percentage of folic acid, which contributes to the proper development of the placenta and reduces the risk of anemia. And the vitamins contained in these vegetables, will help to cope with toxicosis and avoid miscarriage.
  • 2 trimester - watercress. It contains iodine and calcium necessary in the middle of pregnancy, normalizes blood pressure and improves appetite.
  • Trimester 3 - Spinach and Sorrel. These plants contain the necessary substances during this period - ascorbic acid and iron. Sorrel, in turn, contributes to the normal functioning of the liver.

So, even such a seemingly Useful basil requires special care during use.. Even if a woman loves this leaf vegetable very much, then in the period of carrying a child it’s still worth giving it up if possible. The exception is the use of basil for treatment. However, it is worth remembering that one should take a folk remedy based on basil only after consulting with a doctor.

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