Herb Spotlight: Basil, Ocimum basilicum

Anyone who's been to my garden know that one of my favorite, favorite herbs is basil. I grow it everywhere. I love the smell, the taste, the color...every thing. It's a pretty useful plant too. Who doesn't have a bottle of dried basil in their spice rack? I've been known to eat it right out of the garden just as readily as I'll throw copious amounts in a a pasta sauce or pesto.

It's used in all kinds of cooking; Italian, Thai and a handful of other Asian cuisines. Everyone is probably pretty familiar with this mint. Did you know it's a mint? It is! It's also known as St. Joseph's Wort too. And there are tons of cultivers of basil as well--sweet basil, Genovese basil , spicy globe basil, boxwood basil, magical Michael , dark opal basil , Cuban basil, Thai basil, cinnamon basil, Mrs. Burns lemon basil, just to name a few. I'm fond of lemon and lime basil because it adds such a wonderfully citrus scent to my garden when I brush by it.

Basil in amongst the veggies

I like to plant it in with my tomatoes and peppers. It's said to improve the flavor of tomatoes and I've found it is pretty effective in keeping some bugs away too. (Other bugs will flock to it and it seems to do nothing for grasshoppers which are usually the biggest problem where I live.) Just as a side note, basil shouldn't be grown next to rue, it will inhibit its grown. As an additional aside, Basil and Rue Don't Get Along sound like the title of a fascinating BBC program.

Sweet basil just starting out in my herb garden

So basil is a pretty handy friend in the garden and quintessential spice to have on hand but did you know that it has medicinal properties as well?

It does indeed!  Here are just a few of the uses for basil outside the kitchen.

• Basil is rich in antioxidants so it can be a boost for your immune system
• A tea made from basil, particularly tulsi (holy basil) can be used to make a sore throat feel better, help bring a fever down faster, and even help reduce cholesterol
• Dried basil leaves can be used to make a tooth paste which can help freshen breath
• Basil oil or a tea made from the leaves can also help reduce stress and are reputed to help sharpen memory.

Tulsi basil just starting out in my garden. It got about a foot and a half tall.

So next time you're in the supermarket, buying plants or seed for your garden, consider how useful basil could be to you!

Disclaimer: Now I'll say you shouldn't run out to your garden instead of going to the doctor and I'm not a doctor, I don't even play one on TV so this isn't a substitution for medical care. Herbs can also cause adverse reactions or reactions just like prescription medication so make sure you do your research and that you use herbal remedies safely.