Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Folk Names: Albahaca, American Dittany, Common Basil, Devil Plant, Kiss-me-Nicholas, Little Love, Our Herb, St. Joseph's Wort, Sweet Basil, Witches Herb
Description: Basil is an annual and a member of mint family. It grows wild in tropical and subtropical climates and in temperate zones of North America. Basil prefers well-drained, rich soil. The thin branching root rises into a bushy square stem two to three feet high, with many branches. The leaves are gray-green underneath with purplish oil cells above. They are opposite and ovate, entire or toothed, and up to one inch long. The two-lipped flowers are white to red, or sometimes tinged purple, and grow in racemes from June to September in whorls of six at the ends of the branches. The entire plant has an unmistakable, pungent, mouth-watering aroma.
Bush Basil (Ocymum minumum) is significantly smaller, growing only to six inches. The flowers are white and grow on smaller branches than sweet basil. Wild Basil (Calamintha Clinopodium) is also referred to as Hedge Basil and Hedge Calamint. It is a straggling plant which may rise to one or one and one-half feet. A thick layer of soft hair covers the plant. The flowers are pinkish.
Effects: strong
Planet: Mars Zodiac: Scorpio
Element: fire
Associated Deities: Krishna, Vishnu, Erzulie (Haiti love goddess)
Traditions:
Basil is holy to the Hindus. A leaf is placed with the dead to ensure a safe journey and access to paradise. In many cultures, the herb is associated with death and is planted on graves. In Egypt, the flowers are placed on graves. It was supposedly seen growing on Christ’s tomb after the Resurrection, and it is one of many herbs said to have been used as an asperge by Solomon in his temple. Such associations may have enhanced the legend that it provided the only known cure for basilisk's poison.
Greeks and Romans believed it would only grow if it were insulted as it was sown. To the Greeks, it represented hate and misfortune and they painted poverty as ragged woman with basil at her side.
In Moldavia however, a fresh sprig of basil is associated with betrothal. A man will love any woman from whose hand he accepts a sprig. It is an emblem of love and romance some parts rural Italy as well, but in Crete it is called “love washed with tears” and represents love and misfortune.
Magic:
The smell of the fresh herb or oil causes sympathy between two people. The gift of a live plant would be especially appropriate at a wedding or bridal shower. For this reason, it may be used to sooth tempers between lovers or maintain or create love between two people. Basil stimulates sensuality, so any love spell containing this herb should not be used lightly. Due to its aromatic nature, it is best used in love incense or sachets, or added to food. Rub the fresh leaves on skin to attract love. In Mexico, a woman may sprinkle basil powder over her upper body, especially over the heart, while her spouse or partner sleeps to ensure fidelity.
In Europe, a young man would love any woman from whose hand he accepted a sprig, but the leaf will whither immediately in the hand of a promiscuous person. One form of love divination involves two fresh leaves on a live coal. If they lie still and burn quickly, a harmonious relationship is foretold, but if they crackle, you will have quarrels in your relationship. If they fly apart with fierce crackling, the relationship you are in or considering is undesirable.
In Mexico, basil is carried in the pocket for wealth. It may be kept in a cash register or placed on a doorjamb to draw customers. You may also soak a half-cup of basil in a pint of water for three days, and sprinkle the water at the entrance or place of business to attract customers and ward off thieves and vandals. This wash water may also be used to wash your new home (floors, walls, etc) before unpacking or the herb may be planted for protection and good fortune. Given as a gift, basil brings luck to a new home.
Basil provides courage in dangerous situation, whether they are mundane, magical, or spiritual. Rub powdered basil on the forehead for protection in crowd, especially among people you don't trust or like, or carry the herb to protect from hexes while attracting friends, money, and success. Small amounts may be left in each room for protection, or it may be scattered over the floor to dispel evil. It makes an excellent exorcism incense, and may be added to purification baths and purification ceremonies.
Basil is said to prevent inebriation, and kept in an open bowl, it dispels sorrow and depression. While it keeps goats away from your property, it was also said to attract scorpions. Being an herb of the element of fire, it may be used when invoking salamanders. It may also be prepared as an incense or tea before meditating on dragons.
P> Known Combinations:
none noted
Medical Indications: Parts Used: leaves
Basil is an antispasmodic, appetizer, carminative, galactagogue, and stomachic. It soothes stomach and abdominal (menstrual) cramps, gastric catarrh, vomiting, intestinal catarrh, constipation, enteritis, whooping cough, and headache. Basil prevents organisms which cause dysentery. The flowering tops are used in India and Japan as cold remedies, probably best used in aromatic teas.
Nutrition:
Basil leaves should be torn or crumbled (if dried), not chopped. Though a peppery herb, basil sweetens tomatoes. It is good in eggs, cheese, salads, meat, chicken, fish, sausage, dressings, bland vegetables, and soups. It is an indispensable ingredient in my vegetarian bean-vegetable soup, and it is also an essential component of most pasta sauce.
Mercantile Uses:
I can attest to the fact that bees like basil. I would almost say that the bees liked my basil more than our lavender, though it’s hard to judge as they bloom at different times. The aromatic leaves and flowers are excellent in potpourris.