Basil Plant Identification

14 Questions

What is the scientific name of the Sweet Basil?

Ocimum basilicum

What is the flavor profile of Lemon Basil?

Strong and pungent

What is the ideal way to use opal basil due to its appearance and flavor?

In salads, stir-fries, or as a garnish

What is the purpose of periodically pinching the center stem of the opal basil plant?

To prevent the plant from flowering and going to seed

What is the origin of the common name 'basil'?

From the Greek word 'basileus', meaning 'king'

What was the symbolic meaning of basil in ancient Greece and Rome?

Hostility and insanity

What was basil used to treat in Europe by the 17th century?

Colds, warts, and intestinal worms

What is the Ayurvedic name for basil?

Tulsi

What is basil oil used to treat?

Acne and intestinal parasites

What is basil tea used to alleviate?

Menstrual cramps and labor pains

What is basil shown to reduce in arthritic patients?

Swelling and inflammation

What is basil known to inhibit?

The enzyme targeted by anti-inflammatory drugs

What is a potential risk associated with consuming basil?

Liver tumors in mice

What is basil known to protect against?

Free radical damage and radiation damage

Study Notes

Ocimum Basilicum (Sweet Basil)

Belongs to the family Labiateae
Also known as St. Basilienkraut, Kleine Bergmunze, Basilikum (German), basilica, basilique sauvage (French), and many other names in different languages

Description and Varieties

Over 24 varieties of basil, including African Blue, Anise, Bush Green, Camphor, Cinnamon, Clove, Cuban, Dark Opal, Dwarf Bouquet, and many others
Varieties differ in taste, growth habits, and leaf characteristics
Lemon Basil: has delicate leaves, assertive citrus scent, and a pungent, strong flavor
Dark Opal Basil: has dark, shiny, purple leaves, a deep, dusky flavor and aroma, and is commonly used in Southeast Asian dishes

Cultivation

Best to start basil indoors and move outside when night temperatures stay above 50 degrees
Seed germinates in 5-14 days, and seeds may rot in cold, damp soil
Sow to a depth of one-fourth to one-half inch, and expect a germination rate of 80-95%
Fertilize plants at 3-4 week intervals to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering
Harvest basil leaves totally when the possibility of low temperatures is approaching, and strip the leaves from the stems to freeze or dry

History

The specific and common names are derived from the Greek basileus, meaning king, and the herb was given regal status
Ancient Egyptians burned a mixture of basil and myrrh to appease their gods and embalmed their dead with it
In Persia and Malaysia, Basil is planted on graves, and in Egypt, women scatter the flowers on the resting places of their loved ones
In ancient Greece and Rome, the herb was a symbol of hostility and insanity
In French, "sowing basil" means "ranting", and in Italy, a potted basil plant on a balcony signaled that a woman was ready to receive her lover

Folk Traditions and Uses

Associated with love, faithfulness, and protection in various cultures
Haitians believe in basil's protective powers, and shopkeepers sprinkle basil water around their stores to ward off evil spirits
The whole leaf is carried in pockets as a good luck charm for love or money
In Ayurvedic medicine, the juice is recommended for snakebites, and the oil is used to treat acne, intestinal parasites, and other ailments

Medicinal Properties

Has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
Contains Vitamin A & C, anti-oxidants that help prevent cell damage
Has been shown to reduce swelling and inflammation in arthritic patients by about 73 percent
Inhibits the same enzyme that anti-inflammatory drugs do, including Ibuprofen and Tylenol
Guards against free radical damage, while protecting cells and chromosomes from radiation damage