Basil, sweet Basil

I definitely need some of this one!

Basil is a popular herb and a staple in the summer kitchen. The name Basil is derived from the Greek "basilikos", which means "herb worthy of a king", and it was also supposed to be an antidote to the basilisk's venom. It was brought to Western Europe in the 16th Century by the merchants of spices and is frequently associated with Italian cooking such as pizzas, salads, sauces and pesto.

Basil is used in both its fresh and dried forms. Sweet basil is the type most commonly used in cooking; it is balancing for VATA and KAPHA, as well as for Pitta when used in lesser quantities. It is a warming herb, and contributes the sweet, bitter and pungent tastes.

Basil should be planted indoors about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. The seeds are small, so they don’t need to be planted very deep. If you plant them too deep, they may not be able to germinate and grow. Once you have planted the seeds, water them well and keep the soil moist. Basil likes to grow in warm, sunny conditions, so place the pot in a spot where it will get plenty of light. In about 10-14 days, the seeds should germinate and start to grow.

My brother mailed me some anise hyssop seeds 20+ years ago and a UM student gave me two tulsi basil plants several years ago at “Maryland Day” on the College Park campus. I am deeply indebted to them both for introducing me to these mint family members that quickly became mainstays in my garden.

Basil leaves are very common in India and are found in almost every Indian household. It has been used for cooking and religious purposes. Many people worship basil leaves every morning. Basil is regional/local to India and has been grown in India for over 5000 years. Basil was brought to England from India in the 1500s and to the USA in the early 1600s. Basil leaves are best grown in countries with warm climates like India, Madagascar, Pakistan, Haiti, Indonesia, Thailand, France, Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa. The scientific name of basil is Ocimum basilicum L., which belongs to the family Lamiaceae. Ocimum originates from the ancient Greek word Okimon, which means smell. In Hindi and Bengali, basil leaves are called Babui Tulsi1 Let us look at the health benefits of basil leaves.

Basil, Ocimum basilicum, still reigns today as the King of Herbs. Its royalty was established by the Greeks, when they gave the herb its name based on the Greek word basilikon, meaning “king.” Alexander the Great is said to have brought basil to the Greeks.

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