Basil: The Ultimate Guide
Basil is a commonly grown herb in nearly all parts of the world. It has much lore attached to it, and some fear, as well as numerous medical claims. Mostly, though, basil is renowned as a culinary herb.
Basil is a member of the mint family, Labiatae. It is an annual plant with leafy stems that give it a bushy appearance. Its stems are slightly hairy, finely ridged and square. They have many branching stems and the stems range in color from a bright light green to reddish at the base.
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| Baby Basil |
The leaves of basil grow in sets of two, opposite each other. They are generally large, slightly toothed, oval, and somewhat pointed. They curve inward slightly along the midrib and are generally about 2 to 3 inches long. For the most part, basil leaves are bright green in color. Leaf color on some basil ranges from yellow-green to dark green, depending on soil fertility. On some varieties, such as Dark Opal Basil, the leaves are dark reddish-purple. On Holy Basil, the leaves graduate from bright green at the bottom to a deep purple-pink near the flower stalks. The leaves also possess the highest concentration of volatile oils and have a warm yet fresh, strong, clove-like scent.
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| My Sweet Basil Flower |
Basil flowers are quite pretty and are edible. Generally, they are white and about 1/2 inch long. They are two-lipped and the upper lip has 4 lobes and 4 stamens in racemes at the tops of stems. Basil usually flowers in July and August, and can extend into September and October in warmer climates. These flowers produce seeds that are dark brown, faceted and tear-shaped, that are about 1/16 of an inch long.
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| Basil Seeds |
Typical height of a basil plant is around 18 inches, but the ones in my garden are about 2 feet tall right now (early September, 2016).
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| My Purple Basil Plant |
Basil has been known by many names through history. These names include Saint Joseph's Wort, American Dittany, Albahaca, "Our Herb", the Witches Herb, and Sweet Basil. The plant's native range is believed to be India, Africa and Asia. It is now cultivated extensively for commercial use in France, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Morocco, Greece, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Italy and to some extent in other temperate countries of the world. It is also much cultivated in the United States, especially in California.
Early Greek and Roman physicians believed that to grow a good crop of basil, one had to shout and curse while planting it. From this practice was born the French idiom "semer le basilic", or "sowing the basil". It means someone is "raving" for virtually no reason, like a lunatic.
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| Classic Basil |
Why all the noise? Who knows? Basil actually is very simple to grow. It grows from seeds easily. Seeds should be planted about 1/8 inch deep when the soil has warmed to about 50 degrees F and the danger of frost has certainly passed. When seedlings appear, thin plants to leave about 1 foot of space between them.
Basil seeds can be started indoors and then transplanted outside after the final frost of the year. The seeds germinate readily in a moist medium when soil temperatures are between 75 and 85 degrees. About a week after germination, seedlings can be transplanted into 2-inch pots or flats. When the weather warms up, plant them outside. You can also propagate basil reliably from softwood cuttings. Suspend the stems of short cuttings in water for about two weeks or so until roots develop. Once these roots have developed, plant into small pots or flats. When new growth appears on top, then new plants are ready to be moved outside, as long as the danger of frost has passed.
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| Basil Rooted in Water |
Basil likes well-drained to dry rich soil with a soil pH between 5 - 8. It does best if well-rotted manure or manure compost is mixed with the soil before planting. Mulching the area after the seedlings have shot up helps to keep the ground moist and warm and discourages weeds. Just don't mulch until the soil has warmed up. Basil roots need heat.
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| My Sweet Basil Plant |
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| Basil After Misting |
The most important consideration when growing basil is remembering to prune it frequently. To encourage a bushy plant, keep pruning basil. Before it flowers, cut the main stem from the top, leaving at least one node with two young shoots. Thereafter, cut the branches every two weeks or so. Basil tends to go to seed quickly if not pruned this often. I usually prune mine about every week while I water. If you keep an eye on basil, you should have several harvests of fresh leaves.
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| My Fresh Cut Sweet Basil |
Pinching out the growing tips of basil encourages bushiness (more harvests) and delays flowering. This is key as once a stem produces flowers, foliage production stops on that stem. The stem becomes woody and essential oil production declines. To prevent this, pinch off any flower stems before they fully mature. Only the blooming stem is affected this way, so some stems can be pinched to encourage leaf production, while others are left to bloom for decoration or seeds.
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| Huge Harvest |
Once the plant is allowed to flower, it may produce seed pods containing the small black seeds. These can be saved for planting the following year. Picking the leaves off the plant helps promote growth, largely because the plant responds by converting pairs of leaflets next to the topmost leaves into new stems. When I prune my basil back each week--that is how often it produces new flowers--I make sure to cut back to the first node that has two leaves growing from it. The new growth starts from these points with a branch sprouting on either side of the place where I pruned it back.
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| My Purple Basil Flowers and Leaves |
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| Aphid |
Although basil is generally grown in herb gardens, it can also be grown as an ornamental plant in flower gardens. The bright green foliage is gorgeous against brightly colored flowers and the fragrance is lovely. Plant opal basil with marigolds for a striking contrast. Grow sweet basil and opal basil together in a window box. Both are excellent for growing in pots indoors, too. Try the varieties "Green Ruffles" or "Purple Ruffles" for their beautiful ruffly textures. Regardless of the look you are after for your garden, there is a basil cultivar that will help you to achieve those goals.
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| My Unopened Basil Buds |
To harvest basil, cut sprigs when flower buds form and before they have opened. You can harvest basil continuously until the first frost. Once picked, wash it in cold water for a few minutes to remove any dirt or pesticide residues. Store fresh basil in the refrigerator to maintain humidity.
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| Chopped Basil |
For longer-term storage, basil is best stored in oil, vinegar, or in a frozen paste, or it can be dried and sealed tightly in containers. Basil is somewhat difficult to dry as it turns dark, but if you separate the leaves before you dry them and stir them often, they will stay green. Speedy drying also retains the bright green coloring.
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| Ready to Freeze |
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| Drying Basil |
A few better ways to store basil exist. One of these is to paint both sides of each leaf with olive oil before drying. This preserves the flavor better than just drying the leaves without treatment. You can also freeze the leaves of basil after painting each side with olive oil. Freezing is a more effective preservation method than drying. Whole leaves can also be stored in olive oil with salt, or simply dry-packed with salt acting as a desiccant (drying medium). You can also infuse the leaves in oil or vinegar to store.
Basil has a long history and records of its use date back thousands of years. In India, where it most likely originated, it is a sacred herb dedicated to the gods Vishnu and Krishna and is worshiped more highly than kings. Holy basil is the supposed original variety of the plant and takes its name from the importance placed upon it by the Hindu religion. Sprigs of it were at one time laid on the chests of the dead to protect them from evil in the next world and to offer them entrance to paradise. Basil was traditionally used in India courts for witnesses to swear upon, much as we swear on the Bible here in the US. It is one of the most sacred plants of India, second in importance only to the lotus. It is grown in or around most Hindu households and around temples for its protective influence.
Other countries of the world have strong connections to basil, as do other religions. Basil was supposedly found growing around Christ's tomb after the resurrection, and around the trees used to construct the cross upon which he was crucified. Due to this, many churches, such as the Greek Orthodox Church, use basil to prepare their Holy Water and pots of basil are set below church altars.
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| Big Old Basil This basil grew roots right out the bottom of the pot it was planted in and rooted itself into the ground. It cannot be moved! |
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| Pot of Basil |
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| Scorpion |
Basil represented hatred in ancient Greece, and European lore sometimes claims that it is a symbol of Satan. Basil is still used in exorcism rituals in many parts of the world to expel demons. It is traditional to strew basil on the floor of your home because where there is basil, it is said that no evil can live. For this reason, it is used in purification baths and rituals and often small amounts of it are placed in each room in a house to bring protection from evil spirits. Given as a housewarming gift, basil brings good luck to a new home.
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| Tiny Basil Pot Housewarming Gift |
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| Big Basil Bouquet |
The name basil may derive from the ancient Greek word "basilikohn", meaning royal. Used in this way, basil reflects an attitude of nobility and a desire to extend hospitality, friendship, and honor wherever it was served. The French call basil "l'herbe royale", or the "royal herb". Whenever basil is used, it is for the purpose of providing your guests with the "royal treatment."
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| Ruffled Basil |
The people of the Victorian era enjoyed assigning special meanings to all the plants they came into contact with. Most of the meanings are associated with uses of basil and lore regarding it through history. The Victorians used flowers and plants to send messages to others based on these assigned meanings. Cinnamon Basil indicates a love of learning and education. Common basil means hate or is used to indicate that "an enemy is near." Sweet basil is used to communicate good wishes, or best wishes, as well as to indicate that one has serious intentions in a love relationship. Additionally, when a woman places a pot of basil on her windowsill, it means she is ready to receive her suitor.
Basil is a sacred herb in witchcraft and pagan rituals, so it has many properties and magical uses. Its magical powers include love, exorcism, wealth, flying, and protection. The primary power basil has in ritual is toward love. Its scent is said to cause sympathy between two people and to soothe tempers between lovers. It is added to love incenses and sachets, and the fresh leaves can be rubbed against the skin as a kind of natural love perfume. It was once thought that a young man would love any woman from whom he accepted a sprig of basil. Likewise, it was said that if a man gave a woman a sprig, she would fall in love with him and never leave.
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| Basil Growing in Water |
Basil can be used in love divination. To determine the success of a marriage or relationship, place two basil leaves, representing the two parties to the marriage, on a live coal. If the leaves lie where you put them and burn quickly to ashes, the marriage or relationship will be harmonious. If there is a certain amount of crackling, the life of the pair will be disturbed by quarrels. If the leaves fly apart with fierce crackling, the relationship or marriage will be equally as noisy and combustible, and therefore deemed undesirable.
To determine if someone is chaste or promiscuous, lay a sprig of fresh basil in their hand. It will immediately wither if that person is "light of love", or prone to promiscuity. If it remains fresh for a little while, then you can safely assume your mate will remain true to you. To ensure your lover stays true, sprinkle basil powder over your body thoroughly while your lover sleeps, especially over your heart. This will bless your relationship with fidelity.
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| Basil Love Potion? |
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| Bowl of Basil in the Grass |
Basil can be used to diet, but only by a second party's help and without the dieter's knowledge. According to an ancient spell, a person will not be able to eat a bite from any dish if, secretly, basil has been placed beneath it.
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| Basil Leaves on Dark Background |
Other magical uses for basil include keeping goats away from your property, attracting scorpions, and preventing inebriation or drunkenness. Additionally, witches were said to drink about a 1/2 cup of basil juice before they flew off into the air!
The principal use for basil is culinary. Basil has a rich and spicy, mildly peppery flavor with a trace of mint and clove. Its flavor is quite unique and can vary significantly between cultivars. This is due to the huge number of volatile oils produced by the plant. More than 20 of them have been isolated and identified, but the concentrations in each plant vary. Each of the individual cultivars of the plant has different concentrations of these oils, as well, and concentrations differ among cultivars based on the region of nativity or origin of the plant. These oils are found, not only in basil, but in many other plants, as indicated by their names. Some of the oils include anise, cinnamon, clove, lemon, rose, lilac/orange blossom, thyme and camphor. The oils give the herbs bearing their names flavors unique to that plant, but combine in basil to create its own, almost indescribable, flavor.
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| A Classic Culinary Combination |
When using basil in cooking, it is best to add the herb in only the last moments of cooking as it loses its flavor quickly when heated. To use the herb, pound it with oil or tear it into pieces with your fingers rather than chopping it. This keeps the oils and flavors trapped in the leaves. For best flavor, use fresh leaves. Fresh frozen leaves are the second best choice for cooking. Use the dried leaves only if fresh or frozen are unavailable.
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| Chicken with Basil |
Pesto and tomato sauce are the main dishes made from basil. Add basil leaves to a salad or use them to garnish just about anything. Because the flowers are edible, they make a lovely and delicious garnish, too. Basil is traditionally used in Italian, Mediterranean, and Thai cookery. It is also superb with veal, lamb, fish, poultry, white beans, pasta, rice, tomatoes, cheese, and eggs. It blends well with garlic, thyme, and lemon. Basil adds snap to mild vegetables like zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, and spinach, as well as to the soups, sauces and stews in which these vegetables appear. Make basil vinegar using white vinegar. Dark opal basil makes an attractive purple vinegar that is very tasty.
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| Pizza with Fresh Basil |
Basil has a powerful enough flavor to stand up to garlic and together they make classic pesto sauce. You can create an easy pesto by combining 1 cup of fresh basil leaves, 3 Tablespoons of pine nuts or walnuts, 3 Tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese and 2 or 3 cloves of garlic. Puree them all in a food processor or blender, adding just enough olive oil to make a smooth paste. Use with pasta, rice, fish, vegetables, or in soup. If you want to freeze your pesto sauce for later use, leave out the garlic as it may become bitter after a short while. Simply thaw the pesto and add the pureed garlic before serving.
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| Pesto |
An interesting fact about basil is that it is the primary ingredient in the liqueur Chartreuse. Basil gives this liqueur its almost neon, yellow-green color, but the liqueur gives the bright yellow-green color its name: chartreuse!
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| Chartreuse Liqueur Ad Celebrating 250 Years |
Here are a few chef tips for you to utilize basil in your own cooking.
- Add several large basil leaves to the liquid when poaching fish, shellfish, or chicken.
- Cut a 10 x 10 inch square piece of aluminum foil and set it shiny side down. Arrange slices of zucchini, onion, and tomato in the middle of the square and toss in several basil leaves. Fold the square around the vegetables to make a tight packet. Bake in a 350 degree oven, or grill, for about 20 minutes.
- Add a handful of basil when making beef stock.
- When making tomato or pizza sauce, substitute basil for the oregano.
- Whatever you do with basil, remember that its flavor intensifies with cooking and it can get very pungent very quickly, so only add it during the last few minutes of cooking.
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| Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Salad |
Adding basil to foods, especially to uncooked foods, such as salads, acts as a natural preservative and can eliminate Shigella, an infectious bacterium that triggers diarrhea and may cause intestinal damage. Basil provides many essential nutrients and vitamins, too. Some of these include vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, calcium, manganese, copper, magnesium, vitamin C, and potassium. It also has anti-bacterial properties and contains DNA-protecting flavonoids.
Although basil is reported to have significant medicinal properties, very few have actually been verified scientifically. It is best known for its use against digestive complaints. Try basil tea in place of an after dinner mint. It will aid in digestion and expel gas. You can steep a teaspoon of the dried leaves in a cup of boiled water for stomach cramps, vomiting, and constipation. Because basil has slight sedative effects, it is sometimes recommended for nervous headaches and anxiety. A poultice of basil can be used on sores, insect stings, and snakebites.
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| Basil "Boo-boo" Balm |
Steep a few leaves in wine for a few hours and then drink it as a tonic. Basil also has many uses in aromatherapy. Other medicinal properties the herb possesses include a restorative warming sensation, muscle relaxation, fever reduction, and improvement of digestion. Clinical studies demonstrate that basil has anti-bacterial properties and is effective against bacterial infections and intestinal parasites.
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| Red Rubin Basil |
Basil can be taken internally for feverish illness (especially colds and flu), nausea, cramps, gastroenteritis, migraine, insomnia, low spirits, and exhaustion. External uses include acne, loss of smell, and skin infections. Some cultivars have stimulant properties and can be used against impotence, diarrhea, dysentery, post-partum problems and against worms in children, as well as externally being used for rheumatism and lumbago. It can strengthen the immune system, help with sinusitis, abdominal distention and cramping, low libido and to fight negativity.
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| Basil and Basil Essential Oil with Mortar and Pestle |
Studies on the efficacy of basil in medicinal pursuits include a trial against seriously multi-drug resistant bacteria. In this case, the basil strongly reduced the negative effect of the bacteria. In another study, basil was tested against tuberculosis symptoms and the results were encouraging. The conclusion arrived at from the test was that basil may be used to formulate new and natural tuberculosis treatments.
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| Purple Basil Top |
Basil extracts have been shown to reduce sugars and free radicals in the body, so tests were conducted in relation to its effect on the glycemic index. The findings from these tests led researchers to believe that basil extracts may have the potential to inhibit diabetes.
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| Basil Leaf on Black |
Basil may prevent the harmful effects of aging. Holy basil extract was effective at killing off harmful molecules and preventing damage caused by free radicals in the liver, brain, and heart. It is possible that basil extracts may someday be shown to prevent heart attacks, correct cirrhosis of the liver, and potentially to prevent Alzheimer's Disease. Much further testing needs to be done before any of these claims can be made.
In addition to its culinary and medicinal attributes, basil has a few other uses. You can add the leaves to potpourris and sachets. The fragrance is sweet and strong, but not overpowering.
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| Basil Spray |
Basil brings luster to hair. Brunettes can add it to a rosemary rinse, while blondes can add it to a chamomile rinse. Another cosmetic use for basil is in perfumery and in toilet waters. Use it in bath mixtures as the fragrance is invigorating. The cosmetics industry uses basil, or essential oil of basil, in lotions, shampoos, soaps, and perfumes.
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| My Basil Bouquet |
If you can spare a bit of basil from the kitchen, cut some sprigs of either sweet or purple basil to add to fresh flower bouquets and arrangements. Use them for their attractive leaves and sweet, anise-clove scent. Place a pot of basil on a windowsill to deter flies and mosquitoes. The stems of some cultivars are cut into beads and used in making rosaries.
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| Basil Potpourri |
Basil is truly an amazing plant. I have always loved its color, shape, and form, but was unaware of all its possible uses. In researching this post, I have certainly come to a new understanding and appreciation of this glorious plant and I hope that you have, too.
Be sure to leave any comments or questions below or drop me an email at angelasblogemail@gmail.com. I would love to hear what you think of basil and how you use it in your home!
Peace and Love Always,
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| My Fresh Cut Purple Basil |
Sources:
Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs
The Pleasure of Herbs by Phyllis Shaudys
Herbs by Leslie Bremness
The Herb Society of America, Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses by Deni Brown
Flora's Dictionary: The Victorian Language of Herbs and Flowers, by Kathleen Gips
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham
Photo Credits:
Photo Credits:
Baby Basil:
Photo credit: ^Ren via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-ND
Basil Seeds:
Photo credit: John and Anni via Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA
Classic Basil:
Photo credit: aldenchadwick via VisualHunt.com / CC BY
Basil Rooted in Water:
Photo credit: a.pasquier via Visual hunt / CC BY-SA
Basil with Raindrops:
Photo via Visualhunt.com
Huge Harvest:
Photo credit: miladus via VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-SA
Aphid:
Photo credit: Mick E. Talbot via Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA
Chopped Basil:
Photo credit: jonpalmer via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-SA
Ready to Freeze:
Photo credit: jonpalmer via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-SA
Drying Basil:
Photo credit: riebschlager via Visualhunt / CC BY-NC
Big Old Basil:
Photo credit: Vineyard Adventures via Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-ND
Pot of Basil:
Photo credit: sammydavisdog via Visual hunt / CC BY
Scorpion:
Photo credit: twm1340 via Visual hunt / CC BY-SA
Tiny Basil Pot:
Photo credit: Jared721 via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC
Big Basil Bouquet:
Photo credit: Limes & Lycopene via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND
Ruffled Basil:
Photo credit: BellaEatsBooks via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC
Rooted Basil Cuttings:
Photo credit: lorigami via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND
Basil Love Potion?:
Photo credit: arbyreed via Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA
Bowl of Basil in Grass:
Photo credit: Derek Bridges via Visualhunt / CC BY
Basil Leaves on Dark Background:
Photo via VisualHunt.com
Tomatoes and Basil (A Classic Culinary Combination):
Photo credit: sirwiseowl via Visualhunt / CC BY-NC-ND
Chicken with Basil:
Photo credit: Another Pint Please... via Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA
Pizza with Basil:
Photo credit: jeffreyw via Visual Hunt / CC BY
Pesto:
Photo via VisualHunt.com
Chartreuse Liqueur:
Photo credit: Cletus Awreetus via Visual hunt / CC BY-NC
Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Salad:
Photo via Visual Hunt
Basil "Boo-boo" Balm:
Photo credit: Blue Yonder via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA
Red Rubin Basil:
Photo credit: Rosa Say via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND
Basil in Mortar and Pestle:
Photo via VisualHunt
Purple Basil Top:
Photo credit: NathanGunter via VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-ND
Basil Leaf on Black:
Photo credit: pianowow via Visualhunt / CC BY-NC
Basil Spray:
Photo credit: latisha (herbmother) via Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-ND
Basil Potpourri:
Photo credit: p e e p e r via VisualHunt.com / CC BY
All other photos courtesy Angela Fox-Thompson
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