Basil Monograph

Basil – Occimum basilicum

Long-time friend of many, basil, or sweet basil as oft referred, is as familiar as a robin, cheery, bright, and here for the summer. Basil’s culinary presence is evident in pesto, pizza sauce seasoning, and those tomato and mozzarella on toast with basil leaf things. I used to be indifferent, at best, to basil, because I was never a fan Italian dishes - the tomato, the bread, the pasta, just not my preference. So, not until I met and interacted with basil one-to-one did a deep connection occur. Now I love a cup of basil tea. Yes, I said a cup of basil tea. It is refreshing, tasty, spicy, and satisfying. My sister enjoys an infusion of basil too, she reports that the scent lifts her mood. After a drinking a cup, she reflects on basil’s effect on the lungs, dilating, as she takes a deep, unimpeded breath.

Whether you want to grow basil to make magnificent and tasty Italian dishes, pair with tomatoes, or to try my tea idea, let me tell you more about this well-known plant.

For those of you of a whimsical bent, let me begin by sharing the claim made in “Growing 101 Herbs That Heal”, by Tammi Hartung, “Historically, … basil was considered a cure for sea dragon bites.” ¹ Fantastic! “Here there be dragons! Fear not I brought along basil.”

For those of you with a more practical bent, I shall share that basil likes a sunny spot, and will grow well alongside the tomatoes it pairs so well with in dishes. It benefits peppers too, so tuck a few plants in the same garden bed.

Basil has more to offer than its distinctive flavor. Rosemary Gladstar, noted herbalist, discusses basil in her book, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginners Guide. Rosemary notes, “Sweet Basil acts primarily on the digestive and nervous systems. … It also has antibacterial properties, and the juice or a poultice of the fresh leaves relieves the itch and pain of insect bites and stings.” ² Relief to insect bites, what a friend in summer.

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Garden Use

Growing Conditions

Basil is of Mediterranean origins; therefore, basil loves the sun and is sensitive to cold. Plant basil in a warm sunny spot in the garden, after the danger of frost has passed.

Basil grows as an annual in our temperate climate.

Preferences:

• Full sun, though tolerates some shade

• Warm conditions
• Tolerates container planting
• Well drained soil
• Low to moderate watering requirements

Plant size and spacing

Height 15 inches

Allow plant space to bush a bit; plant 10 - 12 inches apart.

Basil will do well in containers.   

Basil can survive a winter indoors in a sunny window.

Companion Planting Affiliations

    Basil is reported to repel the Asparagus Beetle. ³

    Basil makes an excellent planting companion to peppers and tomatoes.

   

Care notes

     Basil can be a heavy feeder, so water with ‘compost-tea’ or additive of fish emulsion every couple weeks.

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Herbal Use

Parts Used

Leaves and flowering top

When to Harvest

Harvest leaves throughout the season. Pinched regularly extends the basil harvest, for once allowed to go to seed, the plant is done, so make a final harvest including the flowering tops.

Morning harvest, after dew evaporates, is an excellent time to harvest.

       

How to Prepare

v  Make an excellent tea - from either fresh or dried plant material

1.      Boil water

2.      Place 1 TBS of fresh leaves or 1 tsp of dried leaves per 8 oz water into teapot, press, thermos, or mason jar

3.      Pour boiling water over herb

4.      Cover (this is very important, for if uncovered the constituents will rise with the steam, and you will have a less flavorful, less potent cup of chamomile tea)

5.      Allow to steep for 6 - 8 minutes

6.      Strain and Enjoy!

v  You can blend basil with many other herbs to create delicious tea blends. The options are many, and open to your taste and creativity.  

Ø  Make a stimulating blend of rosemary leaf and basil leaf to stimulate calm attention and mental function.

Ø  Combine basil, dandelion leaf (or root) for a digestive support tonic.

v  Use basil in a myriad of recipes

Basil makes a delightful and delicious food. From so simple an idea as adding fresh basil leaves to a green salad, to recipes requiring a bit of preparation, like pesto. Add zest, flavor, and depth to many a dish with the addition of basil, fresh or dried, to the recipe. Fresh basil has more flavor than dried, so if you used dried, the flavor may be subtler.

·         Salad dressing

·         Tomato sauce

·         Pesto (of course!)

·         Quiche

v  Add to a smoothie

Make a fresh flavored smoothie from the following recipe

1.   Combine in smoothie machine (blender, Ninja, NutriBullet, etc.)

• ½ cup spinach
• ⅓ cup frozen zucchini cubes (I cut zucchini in ½ inch cubes, place in glass freezer-proof container, freeze - then use them to add creamy texture and coldness when making a smoothie
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil (1 ½ tsp dried basil)
• 1 kiwi (or small apple)
• ½ cup tea of choice (green tea, catnip tea, chamomile tea, rosemary tea…) *depending what consistency you prefer your smoothie, you might use more or less liquid

2. Blend

• I repeat, depending what consistency you prefer your smoothie, you might adjust liquid, add more tea to thin, add zucchini or spinach or apple to thicken

3. Enjoy!

Cautions/Considerations

Basil is a food herb and is safe to consume in food quantity.   

Bibliography

1.      Hartung, Tammi. Growing 101 Herbs That Heal: Gardening Techniques, Recipes, and Remedies. Storey Book, 2000.

2.      Gladstar, Rosemary. Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. Storey Publishing, 2012

3.      Kowalchik, Claire, et al. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Rodale Press, 1987.