Basil
Common Names: Alabahaca, American Dittany, Herb of Kings, St.
Josephswort, Tulsi, Witches Herb
Parts Used: Leaves and stems, Essence
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Magickal Uses: Aphrodisiac, brighten dispostion, clairvoyance, commanding, consecration, divination, exorcism, fertility, fidelity, happiness, harmony, honesty, love, material objects, money, passion, peace, prosperity, protection, psychic development and growth, psychic protection, spell-breaking, strength, success, tranquility, wealth.
Scent: Bittersweet, herby, mild
From Wylundt's Book of Incence
Brand name: Basil
Latin name: Ocimum basilicum
Other names: St. Josephwort, Sweet Basil
A Remedy For
Basil and its essential oil are sometimes taken for fevers, colds, rheumatism, and indigestion. However, there is no evidence of their effectiveness, and because compounds in the oil have shown cancer-causing effects during animal experiments, their medicinal use is not recommended.
Basil oil has been used to treat wounds, bruises, and depression. The leaves have been used--again without validation--as an appetite stimulant, a remedy for gas, and a means of ridding the body of excess fluid. In Asian medicine, the leaves are also used to treat poor circulation, stomach cramps, bad breath, inflammations, clouded vision, earache, kidney disease, and ringworm.
What It Is; Why It Works
Windowsill gardeners beware: in past centuries it was believed that a sprig of Basil left under a pot would breed scorpions. Worse yet, one commentator tells of a man who spawned a scorpion in his brain after merely smelling the herb.
Modern research has failed to confirm the scorpion problem. However, lab tests do suggest a slight possibility that prolonged use of the herb during pregnancy could harm a developing baby. Suspicion over the herb's cancer-causing potential is also yet to be resolved. All told, there's reason to avoid taking large quantities of the herb on a regular basis, although an occasional dish of pesto won't do you any harm.
In India, believed to be the origin of Basil, the plant is very highly regarded indeed. It is dedicated to the gods Krishna and Vishnu, and a Basil leaf is laid on the breast of the dead as a token for entry to paradise.
Avoid If...
Regular medicinal use is not recommended for anyone. Pregnant or nursing women, infants, and toddlers should not take the herb at all.
Special Cautions
No side effects have been documented.
Possible Drug Interactions
No drug interactions have been reported.
Special Information
If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding Pregnant or nursing women should not take Basil in any form.
How to Prepare
Not recommended.
Typical Dosage
Not recommended.
Overdosage
No information on overdosage is available.
Basil: Everyone's Favorite Herb!
By Brenda Hyde
If a person loves herbs, they love basil. It seems to be everyone's favorite
herb and the recipes that take advantage of this fresh and spicy leaf are
endless. I personally think if you can only grow two plants it should be a
pot of tomatoes and a pot of basil. With these two plants and a few basic
pantry items you can treat yourself to gourmet faire!
Growing Basil
Basil is an annual, and is easily grown from seed. There are over two dozen
types of basil including lettuce-leaf which has large leaves, cinnamon basil
and the purple leafed varieties. Basil is not frost tolerant at all, so be
sure to only plant after the soil has warmed completely. Though it needs
full sun, it does need more moisture than some herbs, so keep it watered;
especially in pots. You can bring basil inside as a window herb if you plant
the seeds during the warm weather in pots and bring inside to grow in a
bright and sunny window.
Using and Preserving Basil
Basil can be frozen, dried, or preserved in oil. It's delicious however you
choose to preserve it. Basil is also available year round in most produce
sections. Add leaves to salad or sandwiches with your lettuce, saute at the
last minute with almost any vegetable and add to soups. It is also wonderful
in herbal vinegars mixed with oregano and thyme. The following recipes are
just a few of the many you are sure to run across!
Recipes
This wonderful mayonnaise can be used for burgers, sandwiches, or to coat
chicken before roasting.
Basil Mayonnaise
Ingredients:
1 cup loosely packed basil leaves
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
Blend in food processor or blender until smooth.
Basil and Tomato Bruschetta
Ingredients:
12 pieces crusty Italian Bread, 1 inch thick
1/3 to 1/2 cup olive oil
2 large, ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
24-36 basil leaves, torn into small pieces
12 garlic cloves, peeled, and cut in half lengthwise
salt and pepper
Toast bread over a grill or a very hot oven of 425 degrees. Brown on both
sides. Remove and brush with oil. In a bowl combine tomatoes, oregano and
basil. Place cloves in separate bowl. Serve bread warm and rub garlic cloves
on bread, top with mixture and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
I also sprinkle and with parmesan cheese and put under the broiler for just
a minute to heat top.
Basil Puree
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons olive oil
8 cups washed and dried basil leaves
Blend until pureed. Transfer to clean jar. Store in refrigerator. Each time
you use it stir and then top with a thin layer of oil. It will keep one year
by doing this. This is good on grilled chicken or fish, stirred into soups
or mixed with sun dried tomatoes and broiled on bread.
Walnut and Basil Paste
Ingredients:
1 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves
3 cloves garlic, peeled
3/4 cup walnut pieces
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons red wine or herb vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Place the basil in the work bowl of a food processor. With the motor
running, drop in the garlic and process until basil and garlic are finely
chopped about 15 seconds. Add the nuts, cheese, vinegar and oil. Process to
make a rough paste, about 20 seconds. Smear evenly onto poultry, fish or
vegetables just before grilling. Makes enough for about 2 pounds of poultry
or fish.
Basil Butter
1 stick butter, softened
1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. salt
pepper to taste
1 tablespoon finely chopped basil
Cream butter, beat in garlic and lemon juice. Mash in basil; season with
salt and pepper. Place bowl in refrigerator to firm butter. For a nice,
simple appetizer use room temperature butter on grilled pieces of baguette
or French bread.
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer, wife and mom to three living in the
Midwest. She is also editor of http://oldfashionedliving.com, where you will
find articles on gardening, herbs, crafts and other old fashioned topics.
10 Varieties of Basil Seeds
Cinnamon Basil
Very attractive violet stems with lavender flowers and the flavor and aroma
of cinnamon.
Custom Blend
A unique blend of seven basils will provide you with exquisite culinary
delights for your kitchen, texture and scent for your flower arrangements,
and color and form for your flower beds.
Genovese
A strong basil aroma and flavor - excellent for pesto.
Italian Large Leaf
Our most popular basil, an excellent culinary variety.
Lemon
The lemon/citrus fragrance and flavor makes this variety particularly good
in vinegar, with fish, in salad dressings & sauces, and in oils.
Mini Greek
Great for pots, with a flavor that rivals larger varieties.
Nepoletano
Tender leaves with a mild flavor.
Red Rubin
A clove-like spiciness and flavor - a little too strong for pesto but great
for adding to other dishes.
Siam Queen
Thai basil is known to the Vietnamese as "Hung Que" (and eaten raw with
noodle soup in the morning) and in Thailand as "Horapha". Attractive pink
and purple flowers.
Spicy Globe
Another nice basil for pots. The plants are neat and mound-shaped. Leaves
are small but very flavorful.