Amazing Basil

Basil, also known as sweet basil is a wonderful herb that is adored by many due to its use in Italian and Asian cuisine. It’s a staple in countless savory recipes, adding its uniquely delicious aroma and flavor. Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto – and is also added fresh to salads and many other dishes.
What is slightly less well known is that basil is also thought to have medicinal qualities – including as antibiotic, blood sugar balancer and stress reducer. Basil is a popular herbal remedy in the Ayurvedic and Siddha traditional medicine systems.
Basil is an easy herb to grow but prefers warm, sunny conditions. It is very sensitive to frost. It might make a good indoor herb for a sunny kitchen windowsill.
A few more bits of basil trivia: Basil is in the mint family of herbs – which may come as a surprise as it doesn’t smell minty! But if you look at the leaves and the way it grows, you can see the similarity. Basil is truly ‘old school’ – it is reported by historians to have been cultivated for over 5,000 years in India and other parts of tropical Asia.

There are numerous types of basil – including
African blue basil (Ocimum basilicum X O. kilimandscharicum)
Anise basil or Persian basil (Licorice basil || O. basilicum ‘Licorice’||)
Camphor basil, African basil (O. kilimandscharicum)
Cinnamon basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Cinnamon’)
Dark opal basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Dark Opal’)
Globe basil, dwarf basil, French basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Minimum’)
Hoary basil (Ocimum americanum formerly known as O. canum)
Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum, formerly known a O. sanctum)
Spice Basil (a cultivar of Ocimum americanum, which is sometimes sold as Holy Basil)
Lemon basil (Ocimum americanum)
Lettuce leaf basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Crispum’)
Purple basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Purpurescens’)
Queen of Siam basil (Ocimum basilicum citriodorum)
Rubin basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Rubin’)
(list source – Wikipedia “Basil” page)

 These are my top uses:

1. Basil Pesto- This culinary use is one of Basil’s most popular uses and variations of this are used in cultures around the world. [Try adding adding  pesto to eggs or to slices of fresh cucumber.]
2. General Cooking- Dried basil can be easily added to practically any dish. Basil is used around the world in many different cuisines with good reason. It adds a depth and flavor that is not rivaled by other herbs.
3. Calming the Stomach- The Italians may be on to something with adding Basil to everything. It is thought to have a calming effect on the stomach and 1/2 teaspoon of dried or fresh Basil Leaf in water can often help sooth indigestion and alleviate feelings of fullness.
4. Coughing and Colds- I’ve heard that the Amish suggest using Basil leaf to help alleviate coughing and colds. They chew fresh leaves to calm coughing or make a calming tea of dried basil to help sooth illness.
5. Facial Steam for Headache- A facial steam with dried basil leaf can help alleviate a headache. Add a tablespoon of dried basil leaf to 2 cups of boiling water in a large pot. Carefully lean over the pot, cover head with a towel and breathe in the steam for 5-10 minutes until headache starts to subside. Bonus, you get to smell like an Italian restaurant for the rest of the day!
6. Antibiotic properties- According to Mountain Rose Herbs: “European scientists are investigating the use of basil oil as treatment for antibiotic resistant infections with Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Pseudomonas.”
7. Stings and Bites- If you are working outside and get bitten or stung by an insect and don’t have any Plantain growing nearby, chewing up a basil leaf and applying to the bite will help relieve the pain and draw out the venom.
8. Ear Infections- According to Mountain Rose Herbs: “The essential oil is antibacterial, and drops of basil oil may relieve ear infections.”
9. Blood sugar- There is some evidence that Basil can help level out blood sugar if consumed regularly and drank as a juice or tea.
10. Stress Reduction- One herbalist I know suggests adding 2 cups of strong Basil Leaf tea to a warm bath to help reduce stress and facilitate relaxation.

Do you use Basil? How do you use it? Comment below!