Tomorrow is the Orthodox Easter! It is therefore, very appropriate to write about basil, as in the tradition of the Christian Orthodox Church, basil is used to make holy water and pots of basil are usually found next to the church altars. In some parts of the world, bunches of the herb are also hung by the doors for good luck.
What is in it
Here is the full description of what is found in fresh basil.
Grow
In zone 5, basil is an annual plant. It flowers June through August in white or pale pink, and is valued not only as a superb herb but also as a beautiful decorative plant. Today I bought my first basil seeds, and seeded them on the side of the house, where I have plenty of sun and the soil drains well. I will let you know if anything comes out!
Harvest
Harvest the upper 5-7 inches of the plant, wash. Preserve the fresh herb in plastic bags in the freezer with a bit of olive oil, or dry the leaves and keep in a jar. Before freezing the herb, some people blanch it quickly in boiling water.
Medicinal uses
Basil is anti-inflammatory, boost the appetite, reduces stomach colics, alleviates urinary tract inflammations, soothes cough, colds and flu symptoms. Could be used as infusion of 2 tsp of fresh leaves in 2 cups of boiling water; HOWEVER, this is the maximum dose for a day; it should not be exceeded, as in large doses basil is TOXIC. This is why only a doctor should guide the internal medicinal application of this herb. For topical use, the herbal infusion is used for skin rashes, eczema, acne and wounds. Gargling with basil infusion is recommended for throat and mouth inflammations.
Other uses
Basil plants can get rid of mosquitoes; even a single pot on the window could get rid of the insects. Mosquitoes with Zika virus, watch it! It seems that one can "cook" a basil insect repellent at home: prepare the basil infusion (as explained above, but with more basil leaves) and mix it with vodka at a ratio of 1:1. Pour in a spray bottle and apply on skin to keep the mosquitoes away.
Cosmetics
Basil is used against acne (see above). According to this website, the juice from crushed fresh basil leaves is applied directly on the skin for up to 15 minutes.
Cooking
Adding basil to foods allows for their longer storage, as the basil essential oils have antiseptic effects. There are many recipes that include basil, but most frequently it is used in pasta dishes and salads. Once, one of my relatives served me small cubes of feta cheese in olive oil with a few basil leaves and black peppercorns, it was delicious! These days, for my breakfasts, instead of cheese, I scoop a bit of low fat yogurt and sprinkle it with salt and basil. Try this if you a cheese-addict and want to reduce your fat intake.
When added to cooked dishes, basil (as other spices and herbs) should be added after turning the heat off. Otherwise the flavor and the healing properties of the herb are lost.
Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil
http://bilki.pharmacy-bg.com/2354-bosilek.html
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