Basil
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
"A certain gentleman of Sienna, being wonderfully taken and delighted with the smell of basil, was won't to frequently take the powder of the dried herb and snuff it up his nose... Upon opening his head by surgeons there was a nest of scorpions in his brain,"
as reported by the 17th-century French botanist Tournefort
Intro Sweet Basil, also known as Common Basil or St Joseph's Wort, is native to India and Southeast Asia and has been cultivated for over 5000 years.
It was introduced to Europe by the Romans and carries a name likely derived from the Greek basilikón, meaning "royal," or possibly the mythical Basilisk.
Throughout history, it has held a contradictory reputation, associated with both attracting love and romance in the Middle Ages and causing insanity according to the Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides.
THE HERBAL KITCHEN
This versatile herb is a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, famously used in pesto and paired with tomatoes, garlic, zucchini, and mozzarella.
Because the leaves bruise easily, it is better to tear them or pound them with oil rather than using a metal knife. Basil is heat-sensitive and loses flavour quickly, so it should be added at the very end of the cooking process.
Beyond savoury dishes like pasta, stir-fries, and omelettes, it is surprisingly effective in sweet recipes such as lemon ice cream or combined with fresh fruit
THE HERBAL APOTHECARY
Medicinally, basil acts primarily on the nervous, digestive, and respiratory systems, serving as an antidepressant, antiseptic, and digestive aid.
It is used to treat indigestion, anxiety, and mental fatigue, and can be applied topically as a fresh leaf rub or compress for insect bites and itchy skin.
Historically, it was combined with Motherwort to help prevent a retained placenta after childbirth. Modern studies also suggest it may assist in reducing blood sugar and lowering blood pressure.
BOTANICAL BEAUTY
Basil is utilised in commercial perfumes and toothpastes, but it is also easily adapted for home beauty routines to brighten and revive the skin.
A simple face mask can be made by mixing crushed basil leaves with an egg white to create a tightening and brightening effect.
For mental rejuvenation, dried basil can be combined with eucalyptus and peppermint in bath bags to ease fatigue.
It is a natural choice for oily skin types and can be used in face packs with coconut oil to leave skin smooth and supple.
THE NATURAL HOME & GARDEN
In the home, basil is an excellent natural deterrent for flies and mosquitoes, provided the leaves are bruised to release the volatile oils.
It can be used as a room freshener in vases or added to floor cleaning water with rosemary to dispel insects and provide a clean fragrance.
In the garden, it is the premier companion plant for tomatoes, as it is believed to increase their yield and repel pests like aphids and asparagus beetles. Interestingly, it also produces natural dyes ranging from pinkish-grey to greenish-grey depending on the mordant used.
Adding Sweet Basil to your garden provides an immediate culinary medicine cabinet with very little effort. It is a low-maintenance annual that grows happily in the ground or in pots indoors, offering a continuous supply of fresh leaves for summer salads and tonics.
Beyond its utility, planting basil connects you to thousands of years of folklore and "old methods" of gardening—like the tradition of shouting while planting to ensure a strong crop. It is a hardworking plant that supports your tomatoes, deters household pests, and provides a heady, uplifting aroma every time you brush past it.
RECIPES
From the kitchen to the garden shed, follow these links for step-by-step guides using Basil
The Herbal Kitchen
The Apothecary
UNLOCK THE FULL MASTER GUIDE
For the deep dive—including botanical etymology, ancestral history, and the complete medicinal and functional archive for Basil—look for the Barefoot Herb Guide here:
Culinary Herbs | Volume 1
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