29 lines
1.5 KiB
Plaintext
29 lines
1.5 KiB
Plaintext
BASIL
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Other names : Ocimum basilicum, St. Josephswort, sweet basil.
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Habitat : Once native to India and Persia only, and still a sacred
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herb to the Hindus, basil is an annual plant much used
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now in Mediterranean cookery. It grows up to 2 feet in
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height, and its one drawback is that it must be raised
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from seed or seedling each year. It likes a rich moist
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soil with plenty of sun. You can buy various types of
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basil besides the "sweet" variety, the other most
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popular being "bush" basil. All posses the same
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properties, however. The herb grows with a square stem
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in section; smooth, slightly toothed, oval leaves, which
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give off a strong clove fragrance when crushed; and
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white, pink or red whorls of flowers which nestle in the
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axils of the elaves (where the leaf joins the stem).
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Properties : Basil contains an aromatic and volitile camphor-bearing
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oil which gives it its marvelous clove-like fragrance
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and accounts for its use in cooking, potpourris and
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perfumery. A delicious tea can also be prepared from the
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leaves which is though to allay mild nervous tension
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headaches and nausea.
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Basil Tea : Infuse 1 teaspoon dried herb in 1 covered cup boiling
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water. strain, and flavor with honey if desired. Upto 1
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or 2 cups a day may be taken.
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