Overview
About Basil
Basil is a low-histamine herb, which is why it stays on most histamine-diet lists, but it is high in salicylates.
If you react to salicylate-rich foods or to aspirin, fresh basil, pesto or a heavy basil garnish can trigger symptoms even though the same herb is treated as histamine-safe. Bear in mind a pinch of dried basil is a far smaller dose than a bowl of pesto.
Sensitivities
How Basil scores
Watch for
What trips people up
- High in salicylates, so pesto and generous fresh-basil garnishes are a much bigger dose than a light sprinkle in a sauce
- Low in histamine and not a histamine liberator, so it is one of the few herbs usually kept on low-histamine diets
- Strongly anti-inflammatory, so if basil bothers you the likely cause is salicylate sensitivity specifically, not inflammation
Diet fit
Where it fits
Swap ideas
More alternatives
FAQ
Common questions about Basil
Is basil high in histamine?
No. Basil is low in histamine and is not a strong histamine liberator, which is why it stays on most low-histamine food lists. The trigger to watch with basil is salicylates, an unrelated plant compound.
Why does basil bother me if I am salicylate sensitive?
Basil is graded high in salicylates. Fresh basil and especially pesto concentrate a lot of the herb into one serving, so a salicylate-sensitive person can get flushing, itching or a headache from a basil-heavy dish while tolerating a small pinch fine.
Is pesto safe on a low-salicylate diet?
Pesto is basil-heavy, so it is a concentrated salicylate dose rather than a garnish-sized one. A light sprinkle of basil is a much smaller amount, and lower-salicylate seasonings like bay leaf, chive or fresh cilantro are safer options.
References
Read the background
Ratings reflect the Triggerbites ingredient database and may vary with portion size and preparation.