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Ocimum basilicum - L.

Common Name Sweet Basil, Common Basil, Thai Basil, Tropical Basil
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards Basil contains estragole a potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic essential oil. Do not take during pregnancy or give basil oil to small infants/children.
Habitats Long cultivated, its original habitat is obscure[132].
Range Tropical Asia?
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Ocimum basilicum Sweet Basil, Common Basil, Thai Basil, Tropical Basil


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Twice25
Ocimum basilicum Sweet Basil, Common Basil, Thai Basil, Tropical Basil
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wildfeuer

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Purple, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Ocimum basilicum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Ocimum album, Ocimum anisatum, Ocimum barrelieri, Ocimum medium, Plectranthus barrelieri .

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses: Condiment  Drink  Tea

Leaves and flowers - raw or cooked[4, 21, 27]. Used as a flavouring or as a spinach[14, 61], they are used especially with tomato dishes, pasta sauces, beans, peppers and aubergines[238]. The leaves are normally used fresh but can also be dried for winter use[21]. A very pleasant addition to salads[K], the leaves have a delightful scent of cloves[4]. Use the leaves sparingly in cooking because the heat concentrates the flavour[244]. A refreshing tea is made from the leaves[21]. The seed can be eaten on its own or added to bread dough as a flavouring[183]. When soaked in water it becomes mucilaginous and can be made into a refreshing beverage called 'sherbet tokhum' in the Mediterranean[183]. An essential oil obtained from the plant is used as a food flavouring in mustards, sauces, vinegars etc[57, 105, 183]

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Antidepressant  Antirheumatic  Antispasmodic  Appetizer  Aromatherapy  Aromatic  Carminative  
Digestive  Dysentery  Galactogogue  Malaria  Ophthalmic  Stomachic  Tonic


Sweet basil has been used for thousands of years as a culinary and medicinal herb. It acts principally on the digestive and nervous systems, easing flatulence, stomach cramps, colic and indigestion[254]. The leaves and flowering tops are antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, galactogogue, stomachic and tonic[7, 14, 21, 178, 218]. They are taken internally in the treatment of feverish illnesses (especially colds and influenza), poor digestion, nausea, abdominal cramps, gastro-enteritis, migraine, insomnia, depression and exhaustion[238]. Externally, they are used to treat acne, loss of smell, insect stings, snake bites and skin infections[238]. The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and are used fresh or dried[238]. The mucilaginous seed is given in infusion in the treatment of gonorrhoea, dysentery and chronic diarrhoea[240]. It is said to remove film and opacity from the eyes[218]. The root is used in the treatment of bowel complaints in children[240]. Extracts from the plant are bactericidal and are also effective against internal parasites[218, 238]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Clearing'[210]. In Chinese medicine for kidney disease and gum ulcers [301]. In Indian medicine foe earache, rheumatoid arthritis, anorexia, itching, menstrual disorders, and malaria [301].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential  Repellent  Strewing

An essential oil obtained from the whole plant is used as a food flavouring and in perfumery, dental applications etc[46, 57, 61, 105, 171, 238]. An average yield of 1.5% essential oil is obtained from the flowering tops[7]. When applied to the skin it makes a good mosquito repellent[7]. The growing or dried plant is an effective insect repellent. It is a good plant to grow in the home, where it repels flies, or in the greenhouse where it can keep all manner of insect pests away from nearby plants[14, 20, K]. It has been used in the past as a strewing herb[201].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Specimen. Prefers a rich light well-drained to dry soil[1, 27, 238]. Requires a sunny sheltered position if grown outdoors[52]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5 to 8[238]. Sweet basil is commonly grown as an aromatic culinary and medicinal herb in warm temperate and tropical climates. There are a number of different constituents that make up the essential oil in basil, and the proportions of these vary considerably between plants growing in different regions of the world[238]. From this variety many named varieties with differing flavour characteristics have been developed[46, 238]. Basil is a perennial plant in the tropics, but it is frost tender and needs to be grown as a half-hardy annual in temperate zones[142]. It is a very good companion plant to grow in the house or greenhouse, its aromatic foliage helping to reduce problems caused by insect pests[K]. It requires a good hot summer in Britain if it is to do well outdoors[K]. Sweet basil is a good companion plant for tomatoes but it grows badly with rue and sage[14, 18, 20, 201]. When grown near raspberries it can retard their fruiting[201]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Edible, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Suitable for dried flowers, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow mid to late spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually free and quick, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If growing basil outdoors, plant out after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Ocimum minimumBush BasilAnnual0.3 9-11  LMNM432
Ocimum tenuiflorumSacred BasilAnnual/Perennial1.0 10-12 FLMHNM442

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

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Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Gwen Fyfe   Tue Oct 19 23:27:46 2004

This site and the one listed below were both very helpful for my lab report on basil. Thanks!

www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=85 - 25k

~Gwen

Link: WH foods

Eirik Holth   Wed Feb 1 2006

Helpful site for my lab report on basil as well!

mike hickling   Sat Jun 21 2008

Only wanted info on growing thai basil 'cause I love green jungle curry but had to praise this page. It's excellent likewise the whfoods.com is a good site

Ron Forrester   Sat Oct 10 2009

Would like to no were i can buy ocimum basil as i just read it can help my arthritis..

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