Basil - Native to Asia this king of herbs is one of the most widely used herbs in the world.

BASIL (Ocimum basilicum)

Native to Asia this "king of herbs" is one of the most widely used herbs in the world. Basil has a warm spicy smell and pungent flavor (similar to licorice and cloves), that does wonders for a Mediterranean cookery.
Best known as the base of Italian PESTO SAUCE of Genoa and a similar sauce called Pistou in France, basil becoming more and more popular in American cuisine.
Basil combines well with olive oil, garlic, tomatoes and lemon, both raw and cooked. Basil leaves give a wonderful flavor to a tomato salad and tossed green salad. It is better to tearing rather than chopping the leaves as this helps to retain more flavor. You can put basil in omelets and other egg dishes. Mix basil with olive oil and garlic and stir it into hot pasta. Put basil in eggplant dishes, potatoes, rice, beans, sauces for fish, veal, lamb and chicken or arrange whole basil leaves over a pizza.
In hot dishes is best to use only a little during a cooking and add the rest at the last minute, because prolonged cooking reduces aroma and flavor.
Known best for its culinary use, basil has also earned a considerable symbolic and medicinal reputation, particularly in Asia and Europe. In India it is sacred to Vishnu; in Jewish lore the herb provided strength during fasts. For the Greeks basil has symbolized hate, for Italians it has symbolized love and for French royalty.

Sweet basil is the most common and popular basil, used for all Western cooking.

Apart from the Sweet basil or Garden basil (used for all Western cooking) there are many other types of basil:

AFRICAN BLUE BASIL
ANISE BASIL
CAMPHOR BASIL
CINNAMON BASIL
GREEK BASIL
HOLY BASIL
LEMON BASIL
LETTUCE LEAF BASIL
PURPLE RUFFLES BASIL
OPAL BASIL
THAI BASIL

Medicinal Use:
In ancient China, basil tea has been used to treat stomach problems. It was also used for fighting dental plaque, calming the nerves, regulating menstruation and reducing fever. Although little evidence exist to support many of basil's applications, studies have confirmed effectiveness for its most common use: the relief of flatulence. It was also found that basil oil is slightly antiseptic, but it is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women and children.

Basil is easy to grow, and its minty licorice fragrance perks up any garden. If you don't
have a garden, you can grow basil in window box or in a planter. To find out more about that visit our page GROWING CULINARY HERBS

RECOMMENDED BOOKS:

Basil : An Herb Lover's Guide
by Thomas Debaggio, Susan Belsinger (Contributor) As much a gardening and identification guide as a cookbook, this title will appeal to a wide audience
with its in-depth coverage of basil's properties and uses. Over half the book surveys cultivation and
varieties; concluding with a solid section of recipes which describe a range of uses and dishes.
The focus on different varieties of basil is outstanding and well detailed.

The Complete Book of Herbs
by Lesley Bremness With more than 340,000 copies sold in hardcover, this essential, full color resource is now available
in paperback. Revealing the enormous potential of herbs, this source book includes information on
planting, growing, and harvesting herbs, as well as the main uses of herbs. It also offers an exhaustive identification guide, recipes, ideas for gifts, and much more.

The Healing Power of Herbs : The Enlightened Person's Guide to the Wonders of Medicinal Plants
- by Michael T. Murray Some of the most powerful preventatives to modern ailments are not located in prescription drugs or vitamin pills but on a common spice rack. In this most up-to-date and carefully researched book,
Dr. Murray shares the latest scientific findings about the power and efficacy of medicinal herbs.

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