Earthnotes Herb Library

There are basically two types of basil - annual (A) and tender perennial (TP) (treated as annuals or pot plants in the north). All require full sun and rich soil. Most are used for culinary purposes, except where noted. All are susceptible to fusarium. Purchase plants and seeds from reliable dealers who test for the problem. Following is a list of basils, including modern cultivars. Recommendations are: Fino Verde, standard Sweet Basil, Lettuce Leaf, Spicy Globe, and as an ornamental, Holly Painted, Purple Ruffles, Dark Opal. Sources for plants and seeds are: Richters and Well-Sweep Herb Farm.

BUSH BASIL
LABIATAE
(Ocimum minimum)

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A low-growing tender perennial usually growing to a height of about 6 inches and much smaller leaved than sweet basil. The leaves are ovate and yellow-green to purplish in color. Flowers are white appearing in whorls toward the top of the branches and smaller than those of sweet basil. There are two varieties - one with dark purple leaves and one with green. Both types are native to India. Plant has a spicy lemon odor. Its uses are the same as sweet basil.
In Malaysia and Iran it is planted on graves. In Egypt women would scatter the flowers on graves. To the ancient Greeks, basil represented hate and misfortune and it was believed the plant would not grow unless subjected to verbal abuse at the time of sowing. To the Romans it symbolized love (in Crete - 'love washed with tears'). In parts of Italy basil is still considered a token of love. In Moldavia, tradition holds that a lad will love any maiden from whom he accepts a sprig of basil.

PROPAGATION: By seed and softwood cuttings.
NEEDS: Rich soil.
HARVEST: Leaves as needed. Seeds when they ripen.
FLOWERS: July-August.

CULINARY:
Same uses as sweet basil. Used to flavor soups, ragouts, and sauces. In France it is used to season turtle soup.

CAMPHOR BASIL
LABIATAE
(Ocimum kilimandscharicum)
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Tender perennial shrub 5 to 10 feet with leaves downy on both sides and with a strong camphor scent. A source of commercial camphor. Also used as a mosquito repellent. Has been used in Africa to lower fevers. Also used in the liquor distillery.

EAST INDIAN BASIL
LABIATAE
aka Fever plant, Shrubby Basil, Tea Bush, Tree basil
(Ocimum gratissimum syn O. viride, O. suave
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A semi-woody tender perennial 3 to 8 feet in height, leaves to 4 inches and hairy on upper surface and dotted with glands beneath. It is found growing wild over most parts of Ceylon and Oceania. The caryopyllata type is strongly clove-scented. The graveolens type is strongly scented as well, but is not clove-like and has a purplish tinge inside the lower lip of the flower and is used for culinary flavoring. The suave variety is velvety-hairy on both sides of the leaves and grown around homes as a mosquito repellent.
O. viride (2 to 5 feet) is indigenous to West Africa, but cultivated in India. Its fragrant leaves smell much like lemon thyme.

PART USED: Leaves and oil.

CULINARY:
Leaves used for tea.
Clove and thyme scented types used for flavorings. O. viride is used in salads, as a flavoring, and steeped for tea (taken with milk and sugar).

OTHER:
Oil used in insect repellents. Also: plants grown to repel insects in the immediate area.

HOARY BASIL
LABIATAE
aka Hairy Basil
(Ocimum americanum syn O. canum)
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An erect annual (1 to 2 feet) native to the West Indies with downy leaves to 2-inches in length.

PROPAGATION: By seed.
NEEDS: Dry soil.

HOMEOPATHIC:
Used for diseases of the kidney, bladder and urethra, uric acid diathesis, swelling of glands (inguinal and mammary), and renal colic.
DOSE = 6th to 30th potency.

CULINARY:
Mild young leaves used in rice and curry dishes.
Used to season seafood, meats, poultry stuffing, salads, soups, and sauces.
SEASONING RECIPE = Combine 1 oz each of nutmeg, mace and dried bay leaves; 2 oz. each of cloves, peppercorns and winter savory; 3 oz each of basil, marjoram, and thyme; 1/2 oz each of cayenne and grated lemon peel; 2 tsp of granulated garlic. Powder all and store in air tight bottle.

OTHER:
The distilled oil has a lemon to camphor odor varying at either end of the spectrum which is used to fragrance soaps and other toilet products.

HOLY BASIL
LABIATAE
aka Sacred basil, Tulsi (Ind)
(Ocimum sanctum syn O. tenuiflorum)

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PROPAGATION: By seed and softwood cuttings.
NEEDS: Pinch out growing tips to encourage bushiness and retard flowering. Botrytis can be a problem, also slugs, aphids, whitefly and spidermites. Pot grown in the north or treated like an annual.
HARVEST: Whole plant. Cut as flowering begins to be distilled for oil. Pick leaves during growing season and use fresh or dried. Seeds collected when ripe.
PART USED: Whole plant, leaves, stems, seeds, oil.

CULINARY:
Leaves are added to salads and cold foods, but is not used in cooking.

INSECT:
Crushed leaves and/or oil used as insect repellant.

OTHER:
Stems are cut into beads for rosaries.

SWEET BASIL
LABIATAE
aka Baccio (Ital), Common basil, Garden basil, St. Josephwort
(Ocimum basilicum syn O. bullatum)
[luo le]
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CAUTION: Contains estragole and should not be taken by pregnant women. Essential oil not to be used externally or internally by pregnant women.

CONTRAINDICATED: NOT when pregnant. NOT when nursing. NOT for prolonged use. NOT for infants or toddlers.

CONTAINS: Volatile oil (including estragol), methyl chevicol, methyl cinnamate, eucalpytol, eugenol, citral, geraniol, linalol, thymol, camphor, ocimene, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassiu, sodium, zinc, ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, folacin, vitamin B12, vitamin A, tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cystine, phenylalanine, tryosine, valine, arginine, histidine, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, proline, and serine.
Mediterranean types contain mainly linalol and methly chavicol with little or no camphor. Eastern European types are distinguished by methyl cinnamate (a more pronounced cinnamon aroma). Southeast Asian types contain a high ratio of eugenol. African types contain more of camphor and methyl chavicol. Hydrolized mucilage from seeds yields uronic acid, glucose, xylose amd rhamnose.

A member of the mint family native to India, Africa and Asia, sweet basil grows to 3 feet with a square stem and small white flowers appearing in whorls in the leaf axils. Flowers have 4 stamens, are two-lipped, 1/2-inch long with the upper lip having 4 lobes. The leaves are opposite, broad, stalked, being smooth, soft and cool to the touch, and tipping in towards the central spine. They are highly aromatic and the plant is rich in volatile oil. Seeds are tiny and dark brown.
The derivation of its name is unclear. Some saying the name came from the Greek 'basileus' for king, others that it derived from the mythical creature called a basilisk which could kill with a look. Basil has acquired a long list of superstitions and lore associated with it. It was once believed if a sprig were left under a pot for a time, it would turn into a scorpion; some believing that to even smell the plant would produce a scorpion in the brain. According to Culpepper it was to be applied to venomous bites, including those of wasp and nornets as it 'draws the poison to it', apparently being of a like kind. Mizaldus stated that if placed on a dung heap it would breed 'venomous beasts'. Pliny recommended smelling it in vinegar for fainting which was a far more practical consideration.
To the French it is 'herbe royale'. In Greece, St. Basil's birthday is celebrated on January 1st, although there may be no connection to the plant in this. In Malaysia and Iran it is planted on graves. In Egypt women would scatter the flowers on graves and the ancient Egyptians burned a mix of basil and myrrh during religious rituals and also used it in embalming the dead. To the ancient Greeks, basil represented hate and misfortune and it was believed the plant would not grow unless subjected to verbal abuse at the time of sowing. To the Romans it symbolized love (in Crete - 'love washed with tears'). In parts of Italy basil is still considered a token of love. A sign of that love was when it was worn as a sprig in the hair. Traditionally, a woman would put a pot of basil on the balcony outside her room when she was ready to receive her suitor. In Moldavia tradition holds that a lad will love any maiden from whom he accepts a sprig of basil.
In Haiti it is associated with the Haitian goddess of love (Erzulie) and is said to stimulate sensuality. Store owners there would sprinkle basil water over their places of business to drive away evil spirits, thus opening the way for buyers and properity.
In New Mexico carrying a sprig in your pocket was believed to attract money into them; also a woman would dust basil powder over parts of her upper body to insure her husband did not succumb to a wandering eye.

PROPAGATION: By seed and softwood cuttings.
NEEDS: Annual. Needs full sun, good soil. Plant out around June 1st in Zone 5 and use liquid fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks. Avoid overhead watering followed by or in direct sun as can cause water spotting on leaves. Pinch out growing tips to encourage bushiness and retard flowering in order to extend the harvest season. Botrytis can be a problem, also slugs, aphids, whitefly and spidermites.
HARVEST: Leaves. Snip back top 1/3 of plant when harvesting to encourage full growth. Leaves can be fresh frozen for culinary use, but will darken to a near black color.
PART USED: Whole plant, leaves, seeds, oil.

DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL NOTE ONLY
!All others buy commercial preparations and follow directions carefully!
30 to 60 grains
FRESH INFUSION = 2 tsp in 1 cup water and steeped 7-10 minutes.
DRIED HERB = 1 tsp in 1/2 c. water; steep, strain and take 1 to 2 cups daily as needed.
TINCTURE = 10 to 30 drops.

CULINARY:
Traditional herb of Italian, Mediterranean and Thai cooking.
The flavor tends to increase when cooked.
Add to melted butter sauce when grilling or broiling fish.
Use to season poultry, pork and veal.
Pound with garlic and use as a sauce.
Used for pesto, teas, seasoning. Add to tomato and eggs, mushrooms and pasta dishes, tomato sauces, vegetable dishes, soups and stuffings (especially for duck).
Fresh leaves used in salads and oil & vinegar dressings.
Sprigs served fresh in a small vase with water at the table by Italians to keep leaves from darkening.
Florets are edible and make a good garnish.
A leaf in tomato juice will improve the flavor.
Used in the north of Germany to season famous Hamburg eel soup and in the preparation of gherkin pickles.
Used to flavor wine.
In the Near East, the seeds are eaten alone or added to bread dough.
Mucilaginous coating of the seeds was once made into a tonic drink.
For RECIPES see Cooking with Herbs and Wild Foods

COSMETIC:
Used in the herbal bath to refresh and stimulate.
Oil is used in perfumery.
Added to hair rinses to bring luster to hair. Can be combined with rosemary (brunettes) or chamomile (blondes).

AROMATHERAPY:
Massage oil used for overworked muscles and in diffusor for mental fatigue and to clear the head.

CRAFT:
Added to potpourri and sachets.

INSECTS:
Plant to repel flies and mosquitos.
The essential oil diluted in a carrier oil is used as an insect repellant.
Rub leaves on skin for insect repellent.

HORTICULTURE:
Plant around manure piles to reduce odor.
Use strong decoction on cabbage and tomato plants as insecticide. Bee plant.

OTHER:
Grown commercially in France, Hungary, Bulgaria, former Yugoslavia, Italy and Morocco; also California.
Oil is used in dental preparations and in commercial insect repellants.
Used to fragrance soaps and cosmetics such as bath oils, toilet waters, lotions, shampoos, and perfumes.
One of the ingredients in the liqueur Chartreuse.
Used by the Greeks for flavoring 'must' (juice from grapes before it has fermented).
Used as a 'magickal' herb in rites of initiation and for spells associated with a need for courage and in aiding the soul on its final journey. Used by some earth religions to invoke the presence of dragons by use as incense or as a ritual drink. Is said to remove fear of having a psychic vision and said to protect from the unknown and from fears associated with spiritual growth. In rituals involving Tarot, is used as a compliment to the death card (13). Used in blessing a new home by adding to the cleaning water used for scrubbing floors and walls and cleaning in general which takes place before unpacking. Used in rituals of purification.

COMPANION:
Plant near peppers and tomatoes.

LANGUAGE:
Love. Good wishes.