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Basil is a herb Ocimum basilicum as a seasoning. However the Indians and Africans use it as an insect repellent. Others think it repels warts.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is used mainly as a culinary seaoning and as a medicine. Indians and Africans rubbed the leaves on their skin as an insect repellent. This aromatic herb also contains antiviral compounds. It has been used in the past to fight warts.

This grows easily from seeds or transplants. Avoid frost and make sure the soil is warm.

Spice Islands Cooking School. 1990(?) "A Study in Spice. The Ultimate Spice Guide.

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BASIL is an annual herb whose flavor is closely associated with the cuisines of Italy, Greece and Southeast Asia, including Thailand. Its bright flavor goes esxpecially well with tomatoes and garlic. Basil also adds flavor dimension to bruschetta and pasta sauces. Thai noodle dishes and stir-fries. Blending basil with lemon juice and melted butter makes a refreshingly simple dip for crab, lobster, artichokes and asparagus.

Mazza, Irma Goodrich. 1952July. Herbs for the Kitchen. Little, Brown and Company, boston. p. 9

BASIL

Ocimum Basilicum Annual

No Italian garden lacks a green bed of basil from spring till early fall. Perhaps the owners of those gardens lend ear to the East Indian belief that the house surrounded by basil will be blessed. Or they may simply know that this herb blesses the food it touches.

Basil's uses are many and varied. Soups, ragouts, salads, pot cheese, meats, sauces, and fruit drinks, all are more appetizing for a bit of this seasoning. It repays one for the little work involved in growing it each year. The more it is cut the better it grows.

Herbs & Spices for Thai Cooking. "Welcome to Chiangmai & chiangrai p. 73. [incomplete reference of Thai spices and herbs]

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HORAPA is a sweet basil similar to the kind used in Italian Pesto and various European Tomato dishes. Used as a vegetable and for flavoring.

Ocimum spp.) is a staple of the kitchen, the herb garden, and even the ornamental flowerbed. There are more than 35 species of annual and perennial basil in varying colors, flavors, and leaf sizes.

Sweet basil (O. basilicum) is the most commonly grown basil; the annual 'Sweet Genovese' is a popular choice for cooking. Purple-leaved basil (O. basilicum 'Dark Opal') is often grown as an ornamental. Basil cultivars feature flavors as varied as lemon, licorice, and cinnamon. They grow 1 to 3 feet in height.

Excerpted from American Spice Trade Association. 1966. A glossary of Spices. American Spice Trade Association. 76 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10005

"The smell of Basil is good for the heart and head," wrote one of the 17th Century herbalists," and maketh a man merry and glad."

This delightful annual herb of the mint family (also called Sweet Basil) is native to India and Persia. Hindus plant is around their homes and temples to insure happiness while a romantic young Italian wears a Basil sprig as a sign of being in love. In France it is called the herbe royale and its aroma is highly esteemed in that food-loving nation. Basil leaves are bright green, and up to 1.5 inches in length.

Basil leaves rival oregano as a seasoning for pizza, spaghetti sauce and tomato dishes. They add appetizing aroma to vegetable soups, meat pies, stews and peas, zucchini, green beans or cucumbers. For the gourmet touch, sprinkle Basil over lamb shops before cooking. Commercially, Basil is used int he preparation of Chartreuse and other liqueurs.

Basil is grown int he United States and also improted from France, Hungary and Belgium.

Updated: Wednesday, December 5, 2007.