The Basils of Summer:  Holy Basil & Sweet Basil

A favorite heat loving herb, Holy Basil, Ocimum sanctum, is thriving this year in my Texas garden. Well known in Ayurvedic medicine as Tulsi, this plant likes to be planted in full sun, can germinate easily from seed and will produce an abundance of leaves to be harvested and made into a healthful and delicious tea or tincture. In Ayurvedic medicine it is considered a Rasayana herb known particularly for its rejuvenating properties and seems to have a particular affinity to the mature ones we know.

I love drinking Tulsi tea as it can help with indigestion, coughs, colds, fatigue and even enhances normal immune function. I also make it in to a single herb tincture (http://ezherbs.net/tinctures.html#holy ) and take it most everyday as an adaptagen. (An adaptagen herb helps us to deal with the everyday stress of life, of which we are all subjected, but react differently.) Holy Basil is also a wonderful herb that assists with memory, poor concentration and mental fog, so I include it my freshly made Think Plus tincture, which also contains the fresh leaves of Ginkgo, Gotu kola and Rosemary. This is such a beneficial combination; remember to take it every day, or when needed while studying, teaching or making a presentation. It works!!! http://ezherbs.net/tinctures.html#think

Other uses of Holy Basil include combining it with Black Pepper as a treatment for Asthma, and as most Basils, it will act as a mood elevator, a tasty assistant for poor digestion and according to renowned herbalist, David Winston, will help move stagnant depression when combined with Lavender and Rosemary. I suggest adding fresh Roses to that formula for an even more powerful effect.

In late spring here in Central Texas, I always plant Sweet Basil, Ocimum basilicum. It is my favorite culinary variety as I adore the sweet, tangy flavor of this easily grown Basil and its many delicious uses. My favorite summer sandwich is fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves, drizzled with a bit of olive oil on your favorite bread. YUM!!!

There are many other varieties of Basil including Lemon Basil, Purple Basil, Thai Basil, Globe Basil and more. Basil can be grown quite easily from seed when planted in late spring as the weather begins to warm or from transplants. Do not plant Basil when spring planting fever first hits, as Basil loves the heat, as any early spring cold snap will damage it. So practice the gardener’s eternal lesson of patience, and wait until the soil has warmed, and the weather is more predictable. Fresh Basil leaves are incredibly aromatic and delicious. Of course many of you already know how to make pesto from fresh basil leaves, Parmesan and Romano cheese, garlic (lots of it), olive oil and pine nuts. I’ve also used pecans and/or walnuts as the pine nuts tend to be somewhat expensive. Another favorite way to use Basil is in tomato sauce, combining with eggs to make a Tomato/Basil torte, which is an excellent brunch dish. I’d be happy to share that recipe if you call me. I also include freshly dried Basil in my EZ Herb Garden Nutritional Spice. This is a fantastic blend of fresh herbs from my garden, dulse flakes, spirulina, nutritional yeast and toasted sesame seeds. It’s a great addition in just about anything! http://ezherbs.net/nutritional_spice_special_order.htm

Basil has also been known to help with digestive problems, headaches and coughs. James Duke, author of The Green Pharmacy, likes to use it as an expectorant. It is also used as an insect repellent, a remedy for headaches and for high blood pressure. In Central America, Basil is traditionally used to promote delayed menstruation, ease pain of difficult menstruation and to facilitate childbirth. I have helped new mothers use it after delivery, made as a steam for a vaginal steam bath. It assists in healing an episiotomy incision.

In ancient times, the Holy Basil plant was left in the tombs of the departed to assist in the loved ones transition to the afterlife, hence received its name “sanctum, or holy.” I think about the spiritual use of this plant when a loved one, a friend or anyone journeys to the other side. I pray that the spirit of Holy Basil guides them well.

There are not only wonderfully culinary uses of Basil, but also valuable medicinal uses as well as spiritual and ceremonial ones. So, remember to plant your Basil seeds or seedlings next spring and enjoy these delightful, easily grown herbs that should be included in every summer garden.