Difference between revisions of "Basil" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | '''Basil''' is the common name of an aromatic [[herb|herbaceous plant]], ''Ocimum basilicum'', of the [[mint]] family | + | '''Basil''' is the common name of an aromatic [[herb|herbaceous plant]], ''Ocimum basilicum'', of the [[mint]] family [[Lamiaceae]]. This [[species]] also is known as '''sweet basil'''. In addition, the term basil is used for the scented [[leaf|leaves]] of this plant, popularly used as a [[herb]] for culinary purposes, or more specifically for the seasoning prepared from the dried leaves. Furthermore, the term basil may be applied to any of the [[plant]]s in the genus ''Ocimum'', which includes species such as holy basil (''Ocimum tenuiflorum'') and the hybrid lemon basil (''Ocimum × citriodorum''). |
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| − | + | many cultivars | |
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| + | ==Overview and description== | ||
| + | '''[[Lamiaceae]]''', the [[flowering plant]] family to which basil belongs, has about 210 genera and some 3,500 species. The plants are frequently aromatic in all parts and include many widely used culinary [[herb]]s in addition to basil, such as [[mentha|mint]], [[rosemary]], [[Common sage|sage]], [[savory (herb)|savory]], [[marjoram]], [[oregano]], [[thyme]], [[lavender]], and [[perilla]]. Many members of the family are widely cultivated, owing not only to their aromatic qualities but also their ease of cultivation: these plants are among the easiest plants to propagate by stem cuttings. Besides those grown for their edible leaves, some are grown for decorative foliage, such as [[coleus]] and snow-on-the-mountain. Others are grown for food purposes, but seeds are utilized instead of leaves, such as with [[chia]]. The [[Leaf|leaves]] emerge oppositely, each pair at right angles to the previous one (called ''decussate'') or whorled. The [[flower]]s are bilaterally symmetrical with 5 united [[petal]]s, 5 united [[sepal]]s. | ||
| − | + | '''Ocimum''' is a genus of about 35 species of aromatic annual and perrenial [[herb]]s and [[shrub]]s, native to the tropical and warm temperate regions of the [[Old World]]. | |
| − | '''Sweet Basil''' or '''Tulsi''' ([[Hindi]]: तुलसी,[[Tamil Language|Tamil]]: துளசி, [[Urdu]]: تلسی) | + | '''Sweet Basil''' or '''Tulsi''' ([[Hindi]]: तुलसी,[[Tamil Language|Tamil]]: துளசி, [[Urdu]]: تلسی)) is a tender low-growing [[herb]] that is grown as a [[Perennial plant|perennial]] in warm, tropical climates. Basil is originally native to [[India]] and other tropical regions of [[Asia]], having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years. It is prominently featured in varied cuisines throughout the world including [[Italian cuisine|Italian]], [[Cuisine of Thailand|Thai]], [[Cuisine of Vietnam|Vietnamese]] and [[Cuisine of Laos|Laotian]]. It grows to between {{nowrap|30–60 cm}} tall, with opposite, light green, silky [[leaf|leaves]] {{nowrap|3–5 cm}} long and {{nowrap|1–3 cm}} broad. The flowers are quite big, white in color and arranged in a terminal [[raceme|spike]]. Unusual among [[Lamiaceae]], the four [[stamen]]s and the [[pistil]] are not pushed under the upper lip of the [[corolla]], but lay over the inferior. After [[entomophily|entomophilous]] pollination, the corolla falls off and four round [[achene]]s develop inside the bilabiate [[calyx (botany)|calyx]]. The plant tastes somewhat like [[anise]], with a strong, pungent, sweet smell. Basil is very sensitive to cold, with best growth in hot, dry conditions. While most common varieties are treated as [[annual plant|annuals]], some are [[perennial plant|perennial]], including [[African Blue basil|African Blue]] and Holy Thai basil. |
The word ''basil'' comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] βασιλεύς (''[[basileus]]''), meaning "king", as it is believed to have grown above the spot where [[Constantine I|St. Constantine]] and [[Helena of Constantinople|Helen]] discovered the [[True Cross|Holy Cross]]. The ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' quotes speculations that basil may have been used in "some royal unguent, bath, or medicine". Basil is still considered the "king of herbs" by many cookery authors. An alternative etymology has "basil" coming from the [[Latin]] word ''basilicus'', meaning [[dragon]] and being the root for [[basilisk]], but this likely was a linguistic reworking of the word as brought from [[Greece]]. | The word ''basil'' comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] βασιλεύς (''[[basileus]]''), meaning "king", as it is believed to have grown above the spot where [[Constantine I|St. Constantine]] and [[Helena of Constantinople|Helen]] discovered the [[True Cross|Holy Cross]]. The ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' quotes speculations that basil may have been used in "some royal unguent, bath, or medicine". Basil is still considered the "king of herbs" by many cookery authors. An alternative etymology has "basil" coming from the [[Latin]] word ''basilicus'', meaning [[dragon]] and being the root for [[basilisk]], but this likely was a linguistic reworking of the word as brought from [[Greece]]. | ||
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[[Category:Plants]] | [[Category:Plants]] | ||
[[Category:Food]] | [[Category:Food]] | ||
| − | {{credit|Basil|202225273}} | + | {{credit|Basil|202225273|Lamiaceae|198916687|Ocimum|192515672}} |
Revision as of 23:27, 4 April 2008
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| Ocimum basilicum L. |
Basil is the common name of an aromatic herbaceous plant, Ocimum basilicum, of the mint family Lamiaceae. This species also is known as sweet basil. In addition, the term basil is used for the scented leaves of this plant, popularly used as a herb for culinary purposes, or more specifically for the seasoning prepared from the dried leaves. Furthermore, the term basil may be applied to any of the plants in the genus Ocimum, which includes species such as holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and the hybrid lemon basil (Ocimum × citriodorum).
Long history of use, being known as the "royal herb' in ancient Greece (Herbst 2001).
many cultivars
Overview and description
Lamiaceae, the flowering plant family to which basil belongs, has about 210 genera and some 3,500 species. The plants are frequently aromatic in all parts and include many widely used culinary herbs in addition to basil, such as mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme, lavender, and perilla. Many members of the family are widely cultivated, owing not only to their aromatic qualities but also their ease of cultivation: these plants are among the easiest plants to propagate by stem cuttings. Besides those grown for their edible leaves, some are grown for decorative foliage, such as coleus and snow-on-the-mountain. Others are grown for food purposes, but seeds are utilized instead of leaves, such as with chia. The leaves emerge oppositely, each pair at right angles to the previous one (called decussate) or whorled. The flowers are bilaterally symmetrical with 5 united petals, 5 united sepals.
Ocimum is a genus of about 35 species of aromatic annual and perrenial herbs and shrubs, native to the tropical and warm temperate regions of the Old World.
Sweet Basil or Tulsi (Hindi: तुलसी,Tamil: துளசி, Urdu: تلسی)) is a tender low-growing herb that is grown as a perennial in warm, tropical climates. Basil is originally native to India and other tropical regions of Asia, having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years. It is prominently featured in varied cuisines throughout the world including Italian, Thai, Vietnamese and Laotian. It grows to between 30–60 cm tall, with opposite, light green, silky leaves 3–5 cm long and 1–3 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. Basil 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 basil.
The word basil comes from the Greek βασιλεύς (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 basil may have been used in "some royal unguent, bath, or medicine". Basil is still considered the "king of herbs" by many cookery authors. An alternative etymology has "basil" coming from the Latin word basilicus, meaning dragon and being the root for basilisk, but this likely was a linguistic reworking of the word as brought from Greece.
Culinary use
Basil is most commonly recommended to be used fresh; in cooked recipes it is generally added at the last moment, as cooking quickly destroys the flavour. 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 flavour, and what little flavour remains tastes very different, with a weak coumarin flavour, like hay.
Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto—a green Italian oil-and-herb sauce from the city of Genoa, its other two main ingredients being olive oil and pine nuts. The most commonly used Mediterranean basil cultivars are "Genovese", "Purple Ruffles", "Mammoth", "Cinnamon", "Lemon", "Globe", and "African Blue". Chinese also use fresh or dried basils in soups and other foods. In Taiwan, people add fresh basil leaves into thick soups (羹湯; gēngtāng). They also eat fried chicken with deep-fried basil leaves.
Basil is sometimes used with fresh fruit and in fruit jams and sauces—in particular with strawberries, but also raspberries or dark-colored plums. Arguably the flat-leaf basil used in Vietnamese cooking, which has a slightly different flavour, is more suitable for use with fruit.
Basil seeds
When soaked in water the seeds of several basil varieties become gelatinous, and are used in Asian drinks and desserts such as falooda or sherbet. Such seeds are known variously as sabja, subja, takmaria, tukmaria, falooda, or hột é. They are used for their medicinal properties in Ayurveda, the traditional medicinal system of India.
Other basils
- See List of basil cultivars
Several other basils, including some other Ocimum species, are grown in many regions of Asia. Most of the Asian basils have a clove-like flavour that is generally stronger than the Mediterranean basils. The most notable is the holy basil or tulsi (Tamil: கி௫ஷ்ண துளசி), a revered home-grown plant in India. In China, the local cultivar is called 九層塔 (jiǔcéngtǎ; literally "nine-level pagoda"), while the imported varieties are specifically called 羅勒 (luólè) or 巴西里 (bāxīlǐ), although [巴西里] often refers to another different kind plant—parsley.
Lemon basil has a strong lemony smell and flavour very different from those of other varieties because it contains a chemical called citral. It is widely used in Indonesia, where it is called kemangi and served raw, together with raw cabbage, green beans, and cucumber, as an accompaniment to fried fish or duck. Its flowers, broken up, are a zesty salad condiment.
Chemical components
The various basils have such different scents because the herb has a number of different essential oils which come together in different proportions for various breeds. The strong clove scent of sweet basil comes from eugenol, the same chemical as actual cloves. The citrus scent of lemon basil and lime basil is because they have a higher portion of citral which causes this effect in several plants, including lemon mint, and limonene, which gives actual lemon peel its scent. African blue basil has a strong camphor smell because it has camphor and camphene in higher proportions. Licorice Basil contains anethole, the same chemical that makes anise smell like licorice, and in fact is sometimes called Anise Basil.
Other chemicals helping produce the distinctive scents of many basils, depending on their proportion in each specific breed, including:
- cinnamate (same as in cinnamon)
- citronellol (geraniums, roses, and citronella)
- geraniol (as in geranium)
- linalool[1] (a flowery scent also in coriander)
- methyl chavicol[1] (which gives tarragon its scent)
- myrcene (bay, myrcia)
- pinene (which is, as the name implies, the chemical which gives pine oil its scent)
- ocimene
- terpineol
Cultivation
Basil thrives in hot weather, but behaves as an annual if there is any chance of a frost. In Northern Europe, the northern states of the U.S., and the South Island of New Zealand it will grow best if sown under glass in a peat pot, then planted out in late spring/early summer (when there is little chance of a frost). It fares best in a well-drained sunny spot.
Although basil will grow best outdoors, it can be grown indoors in a pot and, like most herbs, will do best on an equator-facing windowsill. It should be kept away from extremely cold drafts, and grows best in strong sunlight, therefore a greenhouse or cloche is ideal if available. They can, however, be grown even in a basement, under fluorescent lights.
If its leaves have wilted from lack of water, it will recover if watered thoroughly and placed in a sunny location. Yellow leaves towards the bottom of the plant are an indication that the plant needs more sunlight or less fertilizer.
In sunnier climates such as Southern Europe, the southern states of the U.S., the North Island of New Zealand, and Australia, basil will thrive when planted outside. It also thrives over the summertime in the central and northern United States, but dies out when temperatures reach freezing point, to grow again the next year if allowed to go to seed. It will need regular watering, but not as much attention as is needed in other climates.
Basil can also be propagated very reliably from cuttings in exactly the same manner as Busy Lizzie (Impatiens), with the stems of short cuttings suspended for two weeks or so in water until roots develop.
If a stem successfully produces mature flowers, leaf production slows or stops on any stem which flowers, the stem becomes woody, and essential oil production declines.To prevent this, a basil-grower may pinch off any flower stems before they are fully mature. Because only the blooming stem is so affected, some can be pinched for leaf production, while others are left to bloom for decoration or seeds.
Once the plant is allowed to flower, it may produce seed pods containing small black seeds which can be saved and planted the following year. Picking the leaves off the plant helps "promote growth", largely because the plant responds by converting pairs of leaflets next to the topmost leaves into new stems.
Diseases
Basil suffers from several plant pathogens that can ruin the crop and reduce yield. Fusarium wilt is a soilbourne fungal disease that will quickly kill younger basil plants. Seedlings may also be killed by Pythium damping off.
A common foliar disease of basil is gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea, can also cause infections post-harvest and is capable of killing the entire plant. Black spot can also be seen on basil foliage and is caused by the fungi genus Colletotrichum.
Health effects
Recently, there has been much research into the health benefits conferred by the essential oils found in basil. Scientific studies have established that compounds in basil oil have potent antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-microbial properties. [2] [3] [4] [5] In addition, basil has been shown to decrease the occurence of platelet aggregation and experimental thrombus in mice.[6]
Basil, like other aromatic plants such as fennel and tarragon, contains estragole, a known carcinogen and teratogen in rats and mice. While human effects are currently unstudied, the rodent experiments indicate that it would take 100–1000 times the normal anticipated exposure to become a cancer risk.[7]
Cultural aspects
There are many rituals and beliefs associated with basil. The French call basil "herbe royale". Jewish folklore suggests it adds strength while fasting. It is a symbol of love in present-day Italy, but represented hatred in ancient Greece, and European lore sometimes claims that basil is a symbol of Satan. African legend claims that basil protects against scorpions, while the English botanist Culpeper cites one "Hilarius, a French physician" as affirming it as common knowledge that smelling basil too much would breed scorpions in the brain.
Holy Basil, also called 'Tulsi', is highly revered in Hinduism and also has religious significance in the Greek Orthodox Church, where it is used to prepare holy water. It is said to have been found around Christ's tomb after his resurrection. The Serbian Orthodox Church, Macedonian Orthodox Church and Romanian Orthodox Church use basil (Macedonian: босилек; Romanian: busuioc, Serbian: босиљак) to prepare holy water and pots of basil are often placed below church altars.
In Europe, they place basil in the hands of the dead to ensure a safe journey. In India, they place it in the mouth of the dying to ensure they reach God. The ancient Egyptians and ancient Greeks believed that it would open the gates of heaven for a person passing on.
In Boccaccio's Decameron a memorably morbid tale (novella V) tells of Lisabetta, whose brothers slay her lover. He appears to her in a dream and shows her where he is buried. She secretly disinters the head, and sets it in a pot of basil, which she waters with her daily tears. The pot being taken from her by her brothers, she dies of her grief not long after. Boccaccio's tale is the source of John Keats' poem Isabella or The Pot of Basil. A similar story is told of the Longobard queen Rosalind.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
Herbst 2001
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J. Janick (ed.), James E. Simon, Mario R. Morales, Winthrop B. Phippen, Roberto Fontes Vieira, and Zhigang Hao, "Basil: A Source of Aroma Compounds and a Popular Culinary and Ornamental Herb", reprinted from: Perspectives on new crops and new uses (1999), ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA, ISBN 978-0-9615027-0-6.
- ↑ Bozin B, Mimica-Dukic N, Simin N, Anackov G. Characterization of the volatile composition of essential oils of some lamiaceae spices and the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the entire oils. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Mar 8;54(5):1822-8. Pubmed Link
- ↑ Chiang LC, Ng LT, Cheng PW, Chiang W, Lin CC. Antiviral activities of extracts and selected pure constituents of Ocimum basilicum. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2005 Oct;32(10):811-6. Pubmed Link
- ↑ de Almeida I, Alviano DS, Vieira DP, Alves PB, Blank AF, Lopes AH, Alviano CS, Rosa Mdo S. Antigiardial activity of Ocimum basilicum essential oil. Parasitol Res. 2007 Jul;101(2):443-52. Epub 2007 Mar 7. Pubmed Link
- ↑ Manosroi J, Dhumtanom P, Manosroi A. Anti-proliferative activity of essential oil extracted from Thai medicinal plants on KB and P388 cell lines. Cancer Lett. 2006 Apr 8;235(1):114-20. Epub 2005 Jun 23. Pubmed Link
- ↑ Tohti I, Tursun M, Umar A, Turdi S, Imin H, Moore N. Aqueous extracts of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) decrease platelet aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin in vitro and rats arterio—venous shunt thrombosis in vivo. Thromb Res. 2006;118(6):733-9. Epub 2006 Feb 15. Pubmed Link
- ↑ EMEA (2004-03-03). Position Paper on the use of HMP containing estragole (PDF) pp. 5. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
General references
External links
- Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages explain the culinary use of basil in European and Asian cooking; further web links.
| Herbs and spices | |
|---|---|
| Herbs | Angelica • Basil • Basil, holy • Basil, Thai • Bay leaf • Boldo • Borage • Cannabis • Chervil • Chives • Coriander leaf (cilantro) • Curry leaf • Dill • Epazote • Eryngium foetidum (long coriander) • Hoja santa • Houttuynia cordata (giấp cá) • Hyssop • Lavender • Lemon balm • Lemon grass • Lemon verbena • Limnophila aromatica (rice paddy herb) • Lovage • Marjoram • Mint • Mitsuba • Oregano • Parsley • Perilla (shiso) • Rosemary • Rue • Sage • Savory • Sorrel • Stevia • Tarragon • Thyme • Vietnamese coriander (rau răm) • Woodruff |
| Spices | African pepper • Ajwain (bishop's weed) • Aleppo pepper • Allspice • Amchur (mango powder) • Anise • Aromatic ginger • Asafoetida • Camphor • Caraway • Cardamom • Cardamom, black • Cassia • Cayenne pepper • Celery seed • Chili • Cinnamon • Clove • Coriander seed • Cubeb • Cumin • Cumin, black • Dill seed • Fennel • Fenugreek • Fingerroot (krachai) • Galangal, greater • Galangal, lesser • Garlic • Ginger • Grains of Paradise • Horseradish • Juniper berry • Liquorice • Mace • Mahlab • Malabathrum (tejpat) • Mustard, black • Mustard, brown • Mustard, white • Nasturtium • Nigella (kalonji) • Nutmeg • Paprika • Pepper, black • Pepper, green • Pepper, long • Pepper, pink, Brazilian • Pepper, pink, Peruvian • Pepper, white • Pomegranate seed (anardana) • Poppy seed • Saffron • Sarsaparilla • Sassafras • Sesame • Sichuan pepper (huājiāo, sansho) • Star anise • Sumac • Tasmanian pepper • Tamarind • Turmeric • Wasabi • Zedoary |
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