a tender with alternating broadlight green leaves basil is prized in asian and italian cuisines because they come fromthe same family the light green to dark green and purple basil leaves look like pepermint teher are different varieties of basil most commmon are sweet thai lemon and holy basil known for is distinct aroma basil contains a variety of essential oils sweet basil has a strong scent like cloves due to limonene other sessential oils tat give of fragarance in basilare cinnamate citronellol geranoil linalool pinene terpineol fresh. leaves taste sweet and peppery excelllentsource of k a manganese c , copper calcium iron folate magnesium best for. eeyes revents macular degeneration minmizes early onset of cataract keeps eyes moistened filters harmful ultraviolet rays amd keeps them from reaching and damaging the retina regulates blood vessel elasticity lowers blood pressure helps prevent platelet clumping which may result to cardiac arrest lowers triglyceride and cholesterol levels offers antibacterial properties with its volatile oils prevents bacterial growth helps fight free radical damage on cells prevents cell mutation which leads to cancerous cell development assists in self induced cancer cell death prevents cancer cells from spreading