Other names: Anise Basil, White Basil, Sweet Basil, French Basil, Lemon basil, Holy Basil, African Blue Basil.
Description: One of the most widely-used culinary herb in the world. This annual herb of the mint family Lamiaceae (mint) is grown for its aromatic leaves. Growing 0.5 to 1.5 meters high, its leaves are ovate to oblong-ovate, entire or slightly toothed. The stems are tough and square and produce spikes of white flowers followed by small, black seeds. Fruits are nutlets, smooth or somewhat rugose. Inflorescence 20 cm long, corolla 4-5 cm long.
Basils may look almost identical but have distinct aromas, while others have the same aroma yet different in appearance. Many cultivars are available, often named after the type of aroma they emit.
Selected cultivars (from seed) include:
Sweet basils: Sweet, Genovese, Large-leaf, Mammoth
Purple foliage basils: Dark Opal, Purple Ruffles
Lemon basils: Lemon-Scented, Lemon, Sweet Dani
Others: Cinnamon basil, Spicy Bush, Camphor, Anise, Licorice
The green aromatic leaves are used either fresh or dried as flavorings, condiments or spices in salads, sauces, stews and even confectionery products. The essential oil of basil is used in perfumery, soaps and shampoos.
Parts used:
Leaves and seeds
Medicinal properties:
• The dried leaves contain 0.21–1% essential oil, the major compounds of which are linalool and methyl chavicol (estragole), at a ratio of 2 or 3:1
• Phytochemical analysis of leaves yielded several compound e.g. alkaloids, phenols, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, and terpenoids.
• Leaves and seeds are considered stimulant and diuretic.
• Seeds are demulcent, mucilaginous, anticatarrhal, anti-cancer, hypotensive and are well known as refreshing.
• Studies have shown sweet basil to possess analgesic, anti-dysmenorrhea, anti- hypochondria, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-ulcer, cardiac stimulant, carminative, chemomodulatory, CNA depressant, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, and larvicidal activities.
Basil is a good source of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
Traditionally, basil has been used as a medicinal plant in treatment of constipation, coughs, diarrhea, headaches, kidney diseases, warts and in deworming. The oils can be mixed with camphor to enhance its antibacterial properties. It can also be used as an insect repellent.
Acne: Apply an infusion of 3 tsp of dried leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 20-30 minutes.
Cough: Take either an infusion or decoction of herb (9-15 gm of dried herb).
Dizziness: Crush fresh leaves and sniff them.
Toothache: Wet small piece of cotton with juice of crushed leaves and placed over a tooth cavity.
Gas pains/ Deworming: Decoction of herb as tea helps to expel worms and reduce gas pains.
REMEMBER to always consult your doctor before using these herbs and medicinal plants.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Basil is generally SAFE but consuming larger medicinal amounts are possibly UNSAFE. Basil contains estragole, a chemical which is found to cause liver cancer in laboratory mice.
Basil oils and extracts might make bleeding disorders worse and results in a low blood pressure. Thus, it is advised to stop using basil at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Taking basil extract along with medications used for lowering high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go even lower. Do not take too much basil if you are taking medications for high blood pressure.
