Basil (Ocimum Basilicum) Common Names: Common Basil, St. Josephworth, Sweet Basil Description: Basil is an annual plant found wild in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world; elsewhere it is cultivated as a kitchen herb. The plant is very aromatic. Properties and Uses: Antispasmodic, appetizer, carminative, galactagogue, stomachic. Basil's usefulness is generally associated with the stomach and its related organs. It can be used for stomach cramps, vomiting, intestinal catarrh, and constipation. Basil has also been recommended for headaches.1 Basil is probably one of the most common herbs used today. Growing up in an Italian family, fresh off the boat as it were, basil was a staple in our household and not just for pesto. Basil's earthy aroma permeated our house both inside and out. It grew in pots near the front door, was planted in the vegetable garden, and was prominently displayed on almost every windowsill in my grandmother's house. I know we used a lot of basil, but really.... Today, in my own home, basil grows in the garden, in pots near the front door, and in the kitchen window. My grandmother's obsession with basil was apparently just a prelude to my own. Even someone who lacks a green thumb, and I'm thinking primarily of myself, can grow basil. Throw a few seeds in a pot, and voila, you have basil. It's fast growing, easily harvested, and just as easily stored. Beyond the great fragrance, basil is just so plain useful. Rub a basil leaf across an insect bite to relieve the itch and inflammation, or steep the leaves in boiling water to make an excellent herbal tea to relieve nausea or that bloated feeling you get after eating a large supper. Basil is also an old folk remedy for bringing on delayed menstruation. Most of us already know that basil is a great addition to spaghetti sauces, but did you also know that basil was believed to ward of evil spirits? Basil was strewn across floors, because where it is no evil can live. It was also given as a housewarming gift to bring good fortune. I'm including my favorite basil recipe for pasta. It's a sauce that makes up very quickly and has a wonderfully light, herbal flavor that's great during the hot summer months. Sauce: 1 stick of butter (not margarine) 8-10 fresh basil leaves chopped 6 large cloves of garlic chopped 1 small tomato peeled and coarsely chopped 1/4 cup coarsely chopped onion 12 oz. Spaghetti Saute garlic and onion in one tablespoon of olive oil, just long enough for the onion to turn transparent. Add butter. Cook over a low heat just until the butter melts. Add basil and chopped tomato. Saute this on low for one to two minutes. You do not want the butter to clarify, but to retain its creamy appearance. After the tomato softens, crush it with a potato masher, thoroughly blending the sauce. Allow this to simmer just until hot, then pour over 12 oz. of pasta, mix and serve immediately. A couple of hints: * To peel the tomato, drop it for a minute in the pot of water you have boiling for your pasta. The skin will peel away quickly and easily. * When preparing pasta make sure to use plenty of water, oil and salt. Many people feel their pasta lacks flavor, and it is generally because they fail to add salt to the water. When you sample the pasta to see if it is ready, the pasta should have a salty flavor. If not, add more salt to your water. 1. The Herb Book, by John Lust, Benedict Lust Publications, 1974 |
