Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

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Origin: Mediterranean region, tropical parts of Africa, Asia and South America


From the 65 types of Basil (Ocimum) are at least 7 used as kitchen and medical herb. The ancient Egypts already knew how to use it.
Basilicum stems from the greek word basilieus which translates to “the king”. Because of that it's sometimes also known as Kings herb (at leas in Germany).
The plant can be perennial or annual depending on it's habitat. It needs a lot of warmth and sun to thrive and dies with the first frost.
All Basil types contain a hight amount of essential oil (0,3-1,5%) with some types going up to 3% (Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum kilimandscharicum)


Appearance of the plant:

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Depending on the variety, plants can reach heights of between 30 and 150 centimetres (1 and 5 feet). Basil leaves are glossy and ovulate, with smooth or slightly toothed edges that typically cup slightly; the leaves are arranged oppositely along the square stems. Leaves may be green or purple. Its flowers are small and white, and grow from a central inflorescence, or spike, that emerges from the central stem atop the plant. Unusual among Lamiaceae, the four stamens and the pistil are not pushed under the upper lip of the corolla, but lie over the inferior lip. After entomophilous pollination, the corolla falls off and four round achenes develop inside the bilabiate calyx.


Soil and location:


Basil is sensitive to cold, with best growth in hot, dry conditions. It behaves as an annual if there is any chance of a frost. However, due to its popularity, basil is cultivated in many countries around the world. Production areas include countries in the Mediterranean area, those in the temperate zone, and others in subtropical climates.
In Northern Europe, Canada, the northern states of the U.S., and the South Island of New Zealand, basil grows best if sown under glass in a peat pot, then planted out in late spring/early summer (when there is little chance of a frost); however, it can also thrive when planted outside in these climates. Additionally, it may be sown in soil once chance of frost is past. It fares best in well-drained soil with direct exposure to the sun.
It needs rich soil and is considered as heavy feeder and needs lots of nutrients to thrive.
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Care:

Although basil grows best outdoors, it can be grown indoors in a pot and, like most herbs, will do best on a sun-facing windowsill, kept away from extremely cold drafts. A greenhouse or row cover is ideal if available. It can, however, even be grown in a basement under fluorescent lights. Supplemental lighting produces greater biomass and phenol production, with red + blue specifically increasing growth and flower bud production. UV-B increases the volatiles in O. basilicum essential oil, which has not been reproducible in other plants, and so may be unique to the genus or even to this species.
Basil plants require regular watering, but not as much attention as is needed in other climates. If its leaves have wilted from lack of water, it will recover if watered thoroughly and placed in a sunny location. Yellow leaves towards the bottom of the plant are an indication that the plant has been stressed; usually this means that it needs less water, or less or more fertilizer. Basil can be propagated reliably from cuttings with the stems of short cuttings suspended in water for two weeks or until roots develop.
Once a stem produces flowers, foliage production stops on that stem, the stem becomes woody, and essential oil production declines. To prevent this, a basil-grower may pinch off any flower stems before they are fully mature. Because only the blooming stem is so affected, some stems can be pinched for leaf production, while others are left to bloom for decoration or seeds. Picking the leaves off the plant helps promote growth, largely because the plant responds by converting pairs of leaflets next to the topmost leaves into new stems.
Once the plant is allowed to flower, it may produce seed pods containing small black seeds, which can be saved and planted the following year. If allowed to go to seed, a basil plant will grow back the next year.


Medical effective components:
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Basil is used in folk medicine practices, such as those of Ayurveda or traditional Chinese medicine.
It's used mostly for gastrointestinal purposes and helps with bloating, postprandial fullness and loss of appetite. It's also known to help sooth migraine and strengthen the nervous system. Also a bouquet of basil on the table keeps wasps and mosquitoes away.
The various basils have such distinct scents because the volatile aromatic compounds vary with cultivars. The essential oil from European basil contains high concentrations of linalool and methyl chavicol (estragole), in a ratio of about 3:1. Other constituents include: 1,8-cineole, eugenol, and myrcene, among others. The clove scent of sweet basil is derived from eugenol. The aroma profile of basil includes 1,8-cineole and methyl eugenol. In this species eugenol is synthesised from coniferyl acetate and NADPH.


Contraindication:


Be careful with using the essential oil. The contained Estragol and Methyleugenol have shown in animal testings to be mutagenic, it can cause cancer if consumed in rough amounts.
Pregnant or nursing women as well as well as small children shouldn't use it at all.



And as always: Please be careful and use common sense while handling and using Basil for whatever reason.
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