Basil

 
The word basil comes from the Greek "basileus", meaning "king", as it is believed to have grown above the spot where St. Constatine and his mother St. Helen discovered the Holy Cross. Basil or Sweet Basil,  is a common name for the culinary herb Ocimum basilicum of the family Lamiaceae or mints. This can be identified by its square, hairy stems.

Basil is an incredible herb. It is enjoyed for its rich and spicy, mildly peppery flavor with a trace of mint and clove. There are over 40 known varieties of basil of which Sweet Basil is the most commonly known and grown. While the taste of sweet basil is bright and pungent, other varieties also offer unique tastes: lemon basil, anise basil and cinnamon basil all have flavors that subtly reflect their name.

Ocimum is from a Greek verb that means "to be fragrant." The foliage is easily bruised; just brushing against its foliage releases its wonderfully spicy fragrance. Varieties can grow to a height of 2 1/2 feet and are about as wide. Foliage colors range from pale to deep green, vivid purple and even purple laced with goldish yellow foliage. Texture varies from silky and shiny to dull and crinkly. Flowers appear in summer as whorls on the ends of branches and are either white or lavender.

Basil is a highly fragrant plant whose leaves are used as a seasoning herb for many different types of foods. Basil has become one of the most recognizable herbs ever since pesto, the mixture of basil, pine nuts and parmesan cheese, has become popular.

Basil has round leaves that are oftentimes pointed. They are green in color, although some varieties feature hints of red or purple. Basil looks a little like peppermint, which is not surprising since they belong to the same plant family.


Basil is native to India and Asia having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years. It is grown there as a perennial in those warm, tropical climates.

Basil has a lot of benefits. Its is popularly called Holy Basil.