Basil Is Still The King Of Herbs

Basil is a tender low-growing herb that is grown as a perennial in warm, tropical climates. Originally native to Iran, India and other tropical regions of Asia, having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years.

There are many varieties that which is used in Italian food is typically called sweet basil, as opposed to Thai, lemon and holy, which are used in Asia.

It grows to between 30–130 cm tall, with opposite, light green, silky leaves 3–11 cm long and 1–6 cm broad. The flowers are quite big, white in color and arranged in a terminal spike. Unusual among Lamiaceae, the four stamens and the pistil are not pushed under the upper lip of the corolla, but lay over the inferior. After entomophilous pollination, the corolla falls off and four round achenes develop inside the bilabiate calyx.

The plant tastes somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent, sweet smell. Is very sensitive to cold, with best growth in hot, dry conditions. While most common varieties are treated as annuals, some are perennial, including African Blue and Holy Thai.

The word basil comes from the Greek (basileus), meaning "king", as it is believed to have grown above the spot where St. Constantine and Helen discovered the Holy Cross. The Oxford English Dictionary quotes speculations that it may have been used in "some royal unguent, bath, or medicine". Is still considered the "king of herbs" by many cookery authors.

Most commonly recommended to be used fresh in cooked recipes, it is generally added at the last moment, as cooking quickly destroys the flavor. The fresh herb can be kept for a short time in plastic bags in the refrigerator, or for a longer period in the freezer, after being blanched quickly in boiling water.

The dried herb also loses most of its flavor, and what little flavor remains tastes very different, with a weak coumarin flavor, like hay. Use fresh or dried in soups and other foods. Some people add fresh leaves into thick soups. They also eat fried chicken with deep-fried leaves. The Thai is commonly steeped in cream or milk to create an interesting flavor in ice cream or chocolates (such as truffles).

Recently, there has been much research into the health benefits conferred by the essential oils found in this herb. Scientific studies have established that compounds in basil-oil have potent antioxidant hence anti-aging, anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-microbial properties.

In addition, this herb has been shown to decrease the occurrence of platelet aggregation and experimental thrombus in mice. It is traditionally used for supplementary treatment of stress, asthma and diabetes.

Basil is a tender low-growing herb that is grown as a perennial herb.

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