Basil-Herb-of-the-Year in 2003
Basil ‘Genovese’. Photo from the garden of Debbie Moore Clark.
The History, Culinary, Medicinal Uses and Cultivation of Basil
by Maureen McCracken
The International Herb Society named basil Herb-of-the-Year in 2003. Sweet Basil, Ocimum basilicum, is a very versatile and popular annual herb with abundantly aromatic leaves. Both the leaves and the essential oils are used for culinary and medicinal purposes. [See Tonya Banbury’s article titled Medicinal Herbs: Basil Essential Oil at www.mastergardenersmecklenburg.org]
Basil is the "herb of Kings"
Basil originated in the Middle East and has been cultivated for thousands of years. It was traded through the medieval spice routes in Asia, India, Africa and the Mediterranean. Arriving in England in the 1500s, in America in the 1600s, basil now grows all over the world. Consequently, literature is full of folklore references to this plant. The ancient Greeks called basil the “herb of Kings.” In Romania, when a man accepted a sprig of basil from a woman he was officially engaged. Basil was also thought to cause the spontaneous generation of scorpions and to cause scorpions to grow in the brain.
With so many years of cultivation history, it is not surprising there are numerous cultivars of basil—some estimate in the hundreds. Most are cultivars of Ocimum basilicum, while some of the more interesting cultivars are: O. basilicum ‘Cinnamon’, O. basilicum ‘Licorice’, and O. basilicum ‘Leaf Lettuce’. Other species include Ocimum americanum, O. sanctum and O. citriodorum. A list of approximately one hundred types of basil can be found at http://www.basic-info-4-organic-fertilizers.com/basil.html.
Basil is a member of the mint family with characteristic square stems. It is easy to grow from seed or from purchased plants. Grow basil in well-drained soil in full sun; water sufficiently to prevent leaf wilt, but take care not to over water. It grows best when temperatures are 80-90 degrees. Pinching off tall shoots encourages branching, a bushier plant and delays flower production. When flowers do start to emerge pinch them off as well to encourage leaf production until frost. Harvest basil to use fresh or dried. It does not freeze well.
Basil ‘Genovese’ is a perfect culinary variety of basil for making pesto.
Basil is commonly grown for culinary uses in Italian and Thai cuisine. In addition, basil has been used since ancient times for many medicinal purposes. Basil has long been made into an herbal tea to treat digestive problems, and has also traditionally been used for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Herbalists also recommend basil to treat a variety of ailments including insect bites, anxiety, headaches, cramps, nausea and digestion.
Basil is a natural antioxidant
Basil is known to have strong antioxidant properties, especially the extract or oil. Research has established that basil oil contains potent antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties. Many herbalists recommend basil, with its natural antioxidants, to protect the body against damage from free radicals. Antioxidants are an important part of maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, and basil may be a safe and effective source of these potent, life-giving compounds. MM March 2010
by Maureen McCracken
The International Herb Society named basil Herb-of-the-Year in 2003. Sweet Basil, Ocimum basilicum, is a very versatile and popular annual herb with abundantly aromatic leaves. Both the leaves and the essential oils are used for culinary and medicinal purposes. [See Tonya Banbury’s article titled Medicinal Herbs: Basil Essential Oil at www.mastergardenersmecklenburg.org]
Basil is the "herb of Kings"
Basil originated in the Middle East and has been cultivated for thousands of years. It was traded through the medieval spice routes in Asia, India, Africa and the Mediterranean. Arriving in England in the 1500s, in America in the 1600s, basil now grows all over the world. Consequently, literature is full of folklore references to this plant. The ancient Greeks called basil the “herb of Kings.” In Romania, when a man accepted a sprig of basil from a woman he was officially engaged. Basil was also thought to cause the spontaneous generation of scorpions and to cause scorpions to grow in the brain.
With so many years of cultivation history, it is not surprising there are numerous cultivars of basil—some estimate in the hundreds. Most are cultivars of Ocimum basilicum, while some of the more interesting cultivars are: O. basilicum ‘Cinnamon’, O. basilicum ‘Licorice’, and O. basilicum ‘Leaf Lettuce’. Other species include Ocimum americanum, O. sanctum and O. citriodorum. A list of approximately one hundred types of basil can be found at http://www.basic-info-4-organic-fertilizers.com/basil.html.
Basil is a member of the mint family with characteristic square stems. It is easy to grow from seed or from purchased plants. Grow basil in well-drained soil in full sun; water sufficiently to prevent leaf wilt, but take care not to over water. It grows best when temperatures are 80-90 degrees. Pinching off tall shoots encourages branching, a bushier plant and delays flower production. When flowers do start to emerge pinch them off as well to encourage leaf production until frost. Harvest basil to use fresh or dried. It does not freeze well.
Basil ‘Genovese’ is a perfect culinary variety of basil for making pesto.
Basil is commonly grown for culinary uses in Italian and Thai cuisine. In addition, basil has been used since ancient times for many medicinal purposes. Basil has long been made into an herbal tea to treat digestive problems, and has also traditionally been used for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Herbalists also recommend basil to treat a variety of ailments including insect bites, anxiety, headaches, cramps, nausea and digestion.
Basil is a natural antioxidant
Basil is known to have strong antioxidant properties, especially the extract or oil. Research has established that basil oil contains potent antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties. Many herbalists recommend basil, with its natural antioxidants, to protect the body against damage from free radicals. Antioxidants are an important part of maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, and basil may be a safe and effective source of these potent, life-giving compounds. MM March 2010
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Maureen McCracken is an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer for Mecklenburg County, NC.
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