Basil (Ocimum basilicum), sometimes called sweet basil is another herb from the mint family, that I enjoyed this summer. It’s a culinary herb that smells absolutely fabulous and it tastes pretty good too.
A few basic basil facts.
Basil is an annual. That means it dies off every year.
At the end of the season it’ll bolt (flower). Once the flowers dry they drop their seeds. reseeding itself for the following spring so it can start all over again.
There are several different varieties. Some are green and and some are purple and some that are a mixture of the two. But all of them have those amazing oils which causes that amazing aroma and awesome taste.
It likes both heat and sun. Mine sat in full sun all year and as I picked it over this summer, it only got bigger and bigger.
Don’t forget to keep it watered though. You’ll know when it needs water, it’ll look really sad.
If you only grow it so you can walk by, run your fingers through it and smell it daily, that would be okay. There were plenty of times you could find me standing over my basil while I watered it, just messing with the leaves so I could smell it.
But wait, there’s more. Basil has so many uses.
First and foremost, we all know it’s great for cooking. The flavor and aroma is divine. Especially fresh. Just pick a leaf or two and munch on them, if you have any doubt.
Go ahead, give it a try. I’ll wait….
There’s nothing better than fresh basil in your tomatoes sauce or on your morning eggs or even on your pizza.
I hear it’s great made into pesto too, but I’ve have to confess I’ve never tried presto.
I’ve used it all season as a fresh herb and I picked it and dehydrated it for the winter months.
As the end of the season gets here, it’ll begin to bolt. But, you can make it last a little longer by picking the flower buds off. As the plant flowers the leaves will begin to die off. If you pick the flowers, more leaves or whole stems will grow.
I’ve let mine go on to flower now, because they are I’ve already got a good supply dried to use over the winter and…..well…..it’s just a pretty plant.
I’ll just let it continue to flower and reseed for next spring.
Some benefits you may not know about.
Did you know basil is a great herb to add to your tea blends? If you haven’t read it yet, you can learn about making your own herbal tea blends here.
Basil has been shown to be mildly soothing and sedating. It’s considered to be an expectorant so as a tea it’s a good way to relieve a cough and get rid of that wet yucky stuff in your throat and lungs too. And it can help relieve a sore throat.
It’s really good for the stomach. There’s a reason it’s always been used in so many foods.
It’s been shown to relieve belly cramps and gas and it’s even been used for colic and to help prevent nausea.
And it’s even been used as an antiseptic.
Basil even has it’s own folklore.
In Greece basil is believed to bring good luck. So it’s planted in front of homes to bring the family luck.
The Greek Orthodox Church uses it in their holy water and it’s devoted to the Hindu Gods Krishna and Vishnu and is often cultivated around the temples where they were worshiped.
I hope you learned something new about basil and that you’ll look at it with a new prospective, with new ideas in all the ways you can use it.
Make a cup of tea with it after supper and relax. Pay attention to how it makes you feel. You might just find your new favorite after supper drink.
If you have different ways to use basil or an awesome recipe you’d like to share, leave it in the comments below. I’d love to know how you use basil.
Until next time.
Health, Wealth & Blessings ~ Tracey