Welcome to my new series – HERB OF THE MONTH!
Every month I will be highlighting a new herb. Throughout the month I will post recipes, growing tips, natural uses, homemade beauty product recipes, etc. all to do with the “Herb of the Month!” Not only will I use my knowledge of the herb, I will also use this time to learn as well so please feel free to comment on any of the post and share your herb wisdom! I am pleased to announce that we are kicking off this new series with one of my faves–BASIL!
Basil
Technical name: Ocimum basilicum
Family: Lamiaceae or mint family
Why I Love It: Basil was one of the first herbs I started growing and is still doing the best in my patio garden, so it has a special place in my heart! But besides that, it has a crazy amount of uses and a strong, fresh aroma. To me, it is the gift that keeps on giving. I continually use it for meals, smoothies, and natural remedies. Not only is it extremely useful, but caring for basil is easy and a perfect starter herb. The coolest part is you have to harvest it in order to promote growth, meaning the more you use the fuller your plant will be! There are many types of basil (over sixty!), but I will be focusing on the main type, sweet basil.
A Bit of Cool History and Folklore: So in my research I basically confirmed how badass basil really is. Being native from Africa and India, the name basil is derived from the Greek word “basileus” meaning king. Some also say it refers to “basilisk,” a dragon that was said to slay people in one glance. On a more fragile note, the Romans took a different stance thinking basil stimulated love. Others thought it offered protection while some argued it represented death. In the language of flowers it is dually represented by hatred and best wishes. Basil has had a wide variety of symbols and meanings ranging from love to hate and fear to adoration. Medicinally, basil has been used to treat warts, colds, depression, and bee stings (quite the variety)!
Nutritional Value: According to the Herb Society of America, sweet basil is low in calories and high in Vitamin A, K, and C. Five fresh basil leaves are less than a calorie!! While the herb is meant to be digested, many believe the basil essential oil should not be taken internally.
Stay tuned this month for more things all about basil. I will be featuring recipes, growing tips and more! Suggestions are also welcome!
Want to read more about basil? Check out information from the Herb Society of America here.
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