Plant Profile: Basil

Basil

(Ocimum Basilicum)

Family: LAMIACEAE

Energetics: Warming. Drying.

Taste:

Tissue States: 

Systems Affected: Digestive. Nervous. 

Parts Used: Leaf & flowering top

Key Components: Volatile oils. Caffeic Acid. Monoterpenes. Tannins. Betacarotene. Vitamin C. 

Preparations & dosage: Food (fresh or cooked). Infusion. Tincture (vinegar is best). Poultice. 

Essential Oil: YES (Monograph coming soon)

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Foundational: Stimulant. Aromatic.
Primary: Carminative. Alterative. Diuretic. Nervine
Secondary: Anti-pyretic. Antibacterial

Uses: 

• Relieving gas & stomach cramps
• Preventing or relieving nausea & vomiting
• Constipation
• Indigestion
• Stimulates digestion
• Nervous irritability & fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Headaches (especially those caused by stress & tension)
• Fever
• Cold/Flu
• Fresh leaf poultice for itch & pain caused by insect bites or stings. (If fresh leaves aren't available rehydrate and make a mash from dried). Swap out every 15-20 minutes until you feel relief. 

Combines well with: Tomatoes, Strawberries, 

Identifying: 

Growing: Seeds can be sown indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting outdoors after the last frost and once evening temps are well maintained above 50 degrees. Can bring outdoors on warm spring days and indoors on cold evenings before planting. This experience can help make your plants stronger. Hardy perennial only in areas where there is no frost. Can be grown as an annual in colder climates. HOWEVER they can reseed themselves in cold climates. If allowed to flower and go to seed new basil should sprout the next spring! Requires full sun (At least 6-8 hours per day). Grows to anywhere between 1-1/2 to 6' tall!

Transplant seedlings about 8" - 1' apart or if direct sowing in the ground, sow about 3" apart and 1/4" deep once the weather is warm enough. Make sure the soil stays moist and weed free until the seeds germinate. Thin to about 1'-2' apart, trying to remove the weaker plants, once plants reach about 1' tall. 

To start from Cuttings: Cut off a 4" stem that does not have flowers. Trim ends and place in a glass of water. New plant will sprout new roots in a bout a week. Change water weekly. Transplant outdoors once roots are about 1/2" long.

Mulch around plants once they reach about 5" tall.
Do not fertilize after planting as over rich soil can ruin the aroma and flavor.
Makes a great companion plant for fruits and vegetables because the strong scent can repel many bugs such as aphids, beetles, mites & tomato hornworms. Can also help keep mosquitos at bay. Companion Plant with tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, asparagus, beans, beets, cabbage, eggplant & potatoes to also enhance the taste of these veggies.

Pests: Aphids, slugs, japanese beetles. Can typically control with neem oil. 

Diseases:
Black spot & Root Rot: Warmer more humid climates: Can be prevented with loose, well drained soil.
Basil Downy Mildew: appears as dark spots on leaves. no known preventative or cure. If you see this, stop harvesting and save seeds.
Harvesting: Keeping basil well cut back will encourage more growth. Leaves become bitter after allowed to flower. 

Best used fresh. Store fresh in a glass of room temp water with leaves above waterline. Change water weekly. If it starts to grow roots, might as well plant it! Cut can also be dried by hanging in a warm dark place. Can also be frozen fresh in ice cubes of olive oil or water. 

Contraindications: NO KNOWN

Sources:

Growing Perennial Foods: A Field Guide to Raising Resilient Herbs, Fruits & Vegetables; Acadia Tucker. Pg 33-38

Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: Rosemary Gladstar. Pg 53-57.
The Way of Herbs: Michael Tierra. Pg 73

Grow Your Own Herbs: Susan Belsinger & Arthur O. Tucker. Pg 67-69.