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Properties: Basil has
medicinal, culinary, magical, aromatic, cosmetic
and ornamental properties. It's medicinal
properties include: diuretic (increases urine
flow), antispasmodic, carminative (expelling
gas), stomachic (stimulating the stomach),
antimicrobial. It's many medicinal uses include
for bad breath, constipation, vomiting, stomach
cramps, whooping cough, wounds, bites. It is
also said to have magical properties for: love,
exorcism, wealth, flying, protection, fertility,
funeral, immortality, purification. It has been
used in many cosmetics, such as: lotions,
shampoo, perfumes, soap, hair conditioner. But,
it is most well known for its culinary uses.
Basil is a popular herb that turns up in almost
every kind of dish imaginable: from soup to
salad, from fish to meat, from oil to vinegar,
from stews to sauces, from brandy to ale, and
with most vegetables. Basil contains an aromatic
and camphor-bearing oil which gives it its
marvelous fragrance. The aroma of basil makes it
ideal for any herbal garden, especially an
aromatic herbal garden. A fragrant corner can be
planted in almost any garden, including a small
garden on a balcony, or plant in containers for
a deck, patio or windowsill. Basil attracts bees
and is usually considered for a garden for honey
bees.
Characteristics: With
so many varieties available and more being
developed all the time, it's hard to describe
basil in one simple paragraph. Basil's flowers
range from white to lavender, its leaves range
from yellow-green to deep purple, and its
fragrance ranges from lemon to anise to cinnamon
to clove to spicy and of course sweet. It is an
annual and must be planted anew each spring.
Harvesting the young leaves for use in the
kitchen does not harm the plant, rather it helps
keep the plant from developing a woody stem and
keeps it producing new shoots for further
harvesting.
From: Reader's Digest
Complete Book of Herbs, ". . . basil fits
into many types of specialty gardens: herb,
patio, balcony, deck, windowsill, indoor,
aromatic, children's, moonlight (blue appears
white and white and light gray appear almost
fluorescent), culinary, Chinese, pleasure
(visually attractive with water and statues),
Roman, monastic (medicines, tonics), medicinal,
astrological (basil is under the sign of
Scorpio), northern, literary (mentioned in
historical works), witch's herb garden, garden
for honey bees, meditation garden, and container
gardens."
Basil is used in so many
ways: the leaves for: cooking, tea, infusions,
cosmetics, herbals oils and vinegars,
aromatherapy, potpourri, seasoning, dried
bouquets, flower arrangements, garnishes; the
whole plant in gardens; the shoots in salads;
the flowers in wreaths and infusions; for its
essence, in the oil in lotions, shampoos,
perfumes, soaps and hair conditioners; as a
flavour in condiments and liqueurs; and the
seeds to fight some poisons and venom. Basil is
also useful in companion garden planting design,
and is especially matched with tomatoes as its
smell repels some insects.
History: Basil is a
native of India and Asia and has been grown
throughout the Mediterranean for thousands of
years. It was introduced into western Europe in
the 16th century and reached England in 1573.
The name is derived from the Latin word
"basilisca" and / or the Greek word "basilikon,"
both meaning royal. Basil was found growing
around Christ's tomb, so some Greek Orthodox
churches use it to prepare the holy water. In
Roman Times, basil was used as a condiment,
fragrance and medicine. In India, a leaf is laid
on the chest of the dead to open the gates of
heaven for them. In Egypt, basil is scattered
over graves and was an embalming herb for
mummies. In Greece, it is a symbol of mourning
and was believed to be an antidote to venom. In
Tudor England, departing guests were given a pot
to help their journey. The French grew basil as
an ornamental plant and developed a dwarf green
variety for their formal gardens. Basil is now
grown in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands,
Europe, South America, and in the US mainly in
California. It grows well on the prairies but
must be planted in well drained soil and
provided with lots of moisture and sunshine.
Description:
Seed: dark brown, faceted, tear-shaped,
1/16th of an inch long.
Flower: small, scented, whitish to
pinkish to purplish blooms in circular clusters
of six, appear in late summer.
Leaf: large, toothed, oval pointed from
green to purple, some curly, with a warm, fresh,
strong scent; for example, Dark Opal Basil has
crinkled purple leaves with pale pink flowers.
Stem: hairy, finely ridged, square,
branching, light green to reddish to purple; the
stems start out herbaceous, but become woody as
the plant ages.
Height: 6" to 2".
Habit: Most basils are annual, but some
tender perennials exist.
Chemical constituents: Basil contains
calcium, fibre, iron, potassium, riboflavin and
high amounts of Vitamin C. The leaves should not
be cut or torn until just before use, as this
destroys the Vitamin C. According to Clare
Walters in her book Aromatherapy, basil
contains linalool (alcohol), camphor, borneone,
cineole, methylchavicol, eugenol, ocimene,
pinene and sylvestrene. Basil also contains
tannins that vary depending on the species and
variety.
Cultivation: Basil
likes a warm, sunny location with well-drained,
light loamy soil, rich in organic matter. A pH
of 6 or 7 is good. Basil tissue is injured below
35 degrees F, so it is usually seeded in a
greenhouse. Basil germinates from seed within a
week under warm, moist conditions. Basil can be
seeded in a field when night temperatures exceed
50 degrees. Basil has high light requirements
and its optimum germination temperature is 68 to
87 degrees F during the day and 59 to 78 degrees
F at night. Transplanted seedlings need to be
hardened off before planting out. Basil grows
well with a fertilization program similar to
salad greens: a balanced fertilizer of 1:2:1 is
recommended. Aphids and thrips are common pest
problems and there are viruses that can attack
the plants. A wilt disease caused by a fungus
can also be a problem in fields. Basil is
usually trimmed frequently to prevent flowering
and the development of woody stems. Commercial
farms usually harvest basil twice during the
summer.
Drying: There are
many ways to dry basil: hang small branches
upside down in a dry, dark room; place on a
screen outside in the shade on a hot day and
cover with cheesecloth; or put in the microwave
on a low setting, turning often to prevent burn
marks. After drying, place in a closed dark
container. Basil may also be frozen in ice cubes
or used in flavoured oils or vinegars. Basil
that is chopped or crushed, loses its flavour,
and should be used as soon as possible.
Medicinal Use/Homeopathy:
A teaspoon of dried basil leaves in 1 cup of
boiled water is said to relieve cramps,
vomiting, constipation and headaches caused by
nerves. Basil tea is considered so calming, that
it is used for upset stomach, spasms and in
particular whooping cough. The oils in basil,
especially camphor, have anti-bacterial
properties which can kill bacteria on the skin
and has been used for acne. In massage oil it is
a nerve tonic and helps to ease sore muscles. It
can be used in a diffuser to release its oils
into the air. According to some, basil oil in a
diffuser will relieve mental fatigue. In a
pinch, fresh leaves can be rubbed on the skin as
an insect repellent or chewed as a mouthwash.
Basil has been grown on unscreened window ledges
to help repel flies.
Toxicity: If you know
you have sensitive skin, dilute basil oil before
using it and carry out a patch test on your
skin. Basil is generally a tonic and stimulating
oil, but in excess can have the opposite effect.
Avoid using during pregnancy. From the safety
guidelines of the American Herbal Products
Association's Botanical Safety Handbook:
"Do not take large amounts of basil (several
cups a day) for extended periods."
Floral Essences / Magical
Properties: Basil has an aroma that is very
attractive and has a high aesthetic value which
has been enticing people since ancient times.
From Anne McIntyre's book Flower Power,
Basil is revered for its ability to open the
heart and mind, to engender love and devotion,
to strengthen faith and compassion and clarity.
Basil has been regarded as an aphrodisiac for
centuries. There are many magical qualities
attributed to basil. To foretell relationships,
place 2 basil leaves on burning charcoal. If the
leaves fly apart, so will the relationship. If
the leaves burn quietly, the lovers will be in
bliss. Put basil leaves in all corners of a room
to aid in protection. To promote fidelity,
sprinkle basil leaves over your partners heart.
Culinary Use: Basil's
starring role is in Italian pesto. Basil blends
well with garlic, thyme and lemon. It adds snap
to mild vegetables such as zucchini, squash,
eggplant, cabbage, cauliflower, parsnip,
spinach, beans, potatoes, carrots and to stews,
soups and sauces that have these vegetables in
it. Basil is able to integrate well with many
other flavours and goes well with tomatoes,
cheese, cream cheese, pasta, cream, eggs, peas,
beets, salads, fish, veal, lamb, chicken,
stuffing, omelets and onions. Basil is used in
oils and vinegars, desserts, jellies, tea, iced
tea, brandy, ale, wine and liqueur. It is
important in Italian, Thai, Laotian and
Vietnamese cooking. On pizza, basil can be used
in place of oregano. Basil should never be
cooked for more than a few minutes, as it loses
its delicate flavour. Its oils are volatile, and
dissipate in air quickly. |
