Some ancient cultures considered basil a magnificent, royal or kingly herb.
Some say “Basil” is derived from the Greek wordbasilikonfor “royal.”
As a passport to help the deceased to enter Paradise, basil was used as a botanical in embalming bodies. It was found with the mummies of ancient Egypt. Perhaps because of its embalming usage, basil was also a symbol of mourning.
Most likely basil is native to India, but there are some indications it may have originated even farther east. Ancient records from 907 A.D. indicate sweet basil in the Hunan region of China where it was used medicinally.
It migrated westward as whole plants, since it could be grown easily indoors away from frost exposure. Basil is also known as St. Joseph’s wort.
Basil is a member of the large mint family. It is known botanically as Ocimum basilicum.
Basil lore and legend
Others say the name Basil was derived from Greek mythology. It’s named after the terrifying basilisk, a half-lizard, half-dragon creature with a fatal piercing stare. The basil plant was considered to be a magical cure against the look, breath or even the bite of the basilisk.
Possibly because of this association with a mythical “lizard”, basil is considered a medicinal cure for venomous bites. It is not however documented as an actual cure for snake bite.
In keeping with its hostile status, later Greeks and Romans believed the most potent basil could only be grown if one sowed the seed while ranting and swearing. This will give you an excuse if you misbehave while planting your herb garden. In French; semer le baslic (sowing basil) means to rant.
In Greece today, basil is used in certain religious rituals as a symbol of fertility.
In medieval times, it was thought that scorpions came from basil. Legend says to acquire a scorpion, one should place a few basil leaves under a flowerpot and after a while, the pot would be lifted to expose a scorpion.
In India, basil was consecrated to the Hindu god, Vishnu, whose wife Tulasi (also known as Tulsi) was said to have taken the form of basil when she came to earth. Hindus avoid harming basil plants, unless there is a good reason, and even then offer up prayers of forgiveness for touching a part of Tulasi. Interestingly enough, tradition requires the head of a Hindu be bathed in Tulasi water before being buried and a Tulasi leaf is placed on the chest over the heart.
To the ancient Romans, it was a symbol of hatred, yet basil eventually became a token of love in Italy. Young maidens would wear a sprig of basil in their hair to profess their availability. In some regions of Italy, basil is known as “kiss-me-Nicholas.” One can only wonder if the conflicting symbolism of basil in Rome Is the origin of a love-hate relationship.
The royal herb is regarded in a similar manner in Romania, where it is associated with the Dragobete celebration of love and happiness. If a boy accepts a sprig of basil from a girl, it means they are engaged to be married and if a girl places a sprig under her pillow she will dream of her future lover.
FAQs
The spark for Garden Answer ignited when my husband pitched the idea of capturing the beauty of gardening through video content. I wasn't sure at first, but I embraced it nonetheless, and together, we set out on a journey that far exceeded our expectations.
Is basil an invasive plant? ›
Basil has the familiar four-sided stems and whorled flowers of the mint family. But it is not as invasive as mints.
How long do basil plants live? ›
However, if you want to extend the harvesting window and grow basil all year round, grow basil indoors and harvest fresh leaves from the plants throughout the winter months. When properly maintained, basil plants usually last about a year indoors, but they can sometimes live up to four years.
What does sweet basil look like? ›
It has square stems with leaves that grow on opposite sides, and the leaves are rounded, slightly cupped, and curve to form at point at the tip. The leaves are generally light green, although some varieties have reddish or purplish leaves.
Who is the girl on Garden Answers? ›
Laura LeBoutillier is an internet sensation. And in the gardening world, that's saying something! In the five years since she and her videographer/husband Aaron started making Garden Answer advice videos, Laura has collected a social media following of more than 5 million people.
Is basil plant toxic? ›
When taken by mouth: Basil is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in food amounts. When taken by mouth as a medicine, basil is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Basil herb and basil oil contain estragole. Estragole is a chemical that might increase the risk of getting liver cancer.
What's wrong with basil plant? ›
Look for wilting, yellowing, and brown spots to spot unhealthy sweet basil. Fusarium wilt and pests like aphids and whiteflies are common threats. Prevent issues with right soil, water, and pest management strategies.
What animals don't like basil? ›
The deer-resistant herbs with these high ratings include basil, Greek oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme. Deer keep their distance from these delicious herbs because of the plant's strong-smelling essential oils or the foliage's intense aroma.
Does basil need a lot of water? ›
Basil likes to stay moist and requires approximately 1 inch of water every week. Water deeply at least once a week to keep roots growing deep and the soil moist. Basil growing in containers will need more frequent watering. Your goal when growing basil in a container is to keep the soil from drying out.
Can basil grow forever indoors? ›
Usually, basil reaches the end of its annual life cycle before it needs repotting. However, if the roots have filled the container, or grow out of the drainage holes, the plant needs repotting into a larger container with fresh potting mix.
(Direct sunlight hitting water on some plants' leaves makes them burn. Think of it like the ant-and-magnifying-glass trick.) Some plants (like ferns, and palms) can take the rain, but sadly, not basil, and not rosemary.
Can I eat basil leaves Raw? ›
Every part of the Basil plant is edible that is leaves, seeds, stems, and flowers. Leaves can be eaten raw and seed and flowers are dried and used as herbs and spices in many cuisines. You can extract the healthy benefits of Basil from every part of the plant.
What does basil symbolize? ›
It's been regarded as a symbol of chastity, a safeguard in the passage of life, a declaration of love, a protection from evil, a token to ward off the devil and it often grows in the presence of either great heroism or great hate.
What are the benefits of eating basil leaves everyday? ›
“Basil contains nutrients and compounds that can help stave off chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis,” says registered dietitian Gillian Culbertson, RD, LD. “On top of that, basil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
What does Laura Garden Answer husband do for a living? ›
Laura LeBoutillier was working at her parents' garden center in Eastern Oregon, and husband Aaron was working at the local cable company. Their lives changed when Aaron bought a new camera that happened to also take video and a relative suggested he use it to make instructional ones with Laura as the on-camera expert.
Where do Laura and Aaron from Garden Answer live? ›
First and foremost, it's important to note that Garden Answer is filmed on location at the home of its creator, Laura LeBoutillier, in La Grande, Oregon. Laura and her husband Aaron have turned their property into a beautiful oasis that serves as the backdrop for Garden Answer's videos.
How many acres does Garden Answer own? ›
Delve into the vast acreage of Garden Answer, with over 5 acres dedicated to plants and gardening projects.
Some ancient cultures considered basil a magnificent, royal or kingly herb.
Most likely basil is native to India, but there are some indications it may have originated even farther east. Ancient records from 907 A.D. indicate sweet basil in the Hunan region of China where it was used medicinally.
Others say the name Basil was derived from Greek mythology. It’s named after the terrifying basilisk, a half-lizard, half-dragon creature with a fatal piercing stare. The basil plant was considered to be a magical cure against the look, breath or even the bite of the basilisk.
In keeping with its hostile status, later Greeks and Romans believed the most potent basil could only be grown if one sowed the seed while ranting and swearing. This will give you an excuse if you misbehave while planting your herb garden. In French; semer le baslic (sowing basil) means to rant.
In medieval times, it was thought that scorpions came from basil. Legend says to acquire a scorpion, one should place a few basil leaves under a flowerpot and after a while, the pot would be lifted to expose a scorpion.
In India, basil was consecrated to the Hindu god, Vishnu, whose wife Tulasi (also known as Tulsi) was said to have taken the form of basil when she came to earth. Hindus avoid harming basil plants, unless there is a good reason, and even then offer up prayers of forgiveness for touching a part of Tulasi. Interestingly enough, tradition requires the head of a Hindu be bathed in Tulasi water before being buried and a Tulasi leaf is placed on the chest over the heart.
To the ancient Romans, it was a symbol of hatred, yet basil eventually became a token of love in Italy. Young maidens would wear a sprig of basil in their hair to profess their availability. In some regions of Italy, basil is known as “kiss-me-Nicholas.” One can only wonder if the conflicting symbolism of basil in Rome Is the origin of a love-hate relationship.