Basil: "The Royal Herb"

Did you realize that there are over forty varieties of basil? Native to the Mediterranean region and first cultivated in India and Asia for over 5,000 years, basil has become the signature plant for the beginning of summer gardens. Basil has three distinct flavors. Sweet basil has an anise or clover flavor, Thai basil has more of a peppery taste and Lemon basil has the distinct lemon flavor. The color of basil ranges from light green to purple, and in some instances it is variegated (more than one color).

Basil has many uses in the kitchen. It goes well with eggs, pasta, fish, poultry, legumes, rice, and especially tomatoes. It is not so much used with meats as it is with sauces and salads. It is best used if picked fresh, so try not to use basil until the end of your cooking process because it loses its aroma quickly. Try using fried basil as a garnish with your chicken or pork.

A basil tea can be made and used as an after meal drink. This has been known to soothe the digestive system. To make this tea, steep about eight leaves in a cup of hot water and wait 8-10 minutes before removing the leaves. Basil is good for the nervous system, stress, and tension headaches. It is also used to relieve sore gums and the discomfort of mouth ulcers. Basil can be used as a bath refreshener and in potpourri.

Basil grows best in full sun, but will tolerate partial sun. It likes well-drained soil which is important because the plant can get root rot if the soil stays too wet. Basil is best grown from mid-late spring until first frost. It does not like cold weather so it is best to treat basil as an annual which means that you pull the plant up at first frost. Basil does well in pots, so you can bring the pot inside during the winter and place in a sunny location. The plant will grow slowly but this enables you to enjoy basil throughout the winter months.

Basil can be harvested at anytime, but the highest oil content in the leaves is when the plant is just beginning to flower. Although the flowers are edible, it uses a lot of energy from the plant and the leaves begin to loose some of their pungency. If you see that the plant is beginning to flower harvest what you need and then pinch the flower bud off. This will cause the plant to branch out in its growth and in result will give you a full and compact plant.

Dried basil does not hold its pungency very long. So, if you want to store basil, try making basil ice cubes or a basil pesto. The cubes give a good boost to soups and sauces, especially in the winter time.

Basil is a good insect deterrent and is used for this reason when planted among tomato plants. Insects do not like the smell of basil and will leave surrounding plants alone. Basil is a good deterrent for mosquitoes and flies. Some people hang a bundle of basil outside their front door to keep flies from coming into the house after someone opens the door.