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 simple tincture (one herb), Holy Basil Tincture and take it most everyday as an adaptagen. An adaptagenic herb helps us to deal with the everyday stress of life, which we are all subjected to, but react differently to. Holy Basil is also a wonderful herb that helps with memory, poor concentration and mental fog, so I include it in my freshly made Think Plus Tincture, which also contains the fresh leaves of Ginkgo, Gotu kola and Rosemary. These four herbs are a beneficial combination, though you just have to remember to take it everyday!! or when needed while studying, teaching or making a presentation. It works!!!
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 would also add fresh Roses to that formula for an even more powerful effect.
Holy Basil is an exceptional herb with great value. I use it frequently to aid with daily stress, especially in the warm months. I find it helpful for increasing my stamina, retention and digestion. I highly recommend drinking a tea or taking the tincture frequently during the spring and summer. In ancient times, the Holy Basil plant was left in the tombs of the departed to assist the loved ones transition to the afterlife, and hence received its name sanctum, or holy. I pray that the spirit of Holy Basil serves departed loved ones well, as it continues to serve the living.
In Central Texas, in late spring, 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 so 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 (plant 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, and any early spring cold snap will damage it. So practice the gardeners 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 (Ive 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, with eggs and in a Tomato/Basil torte, which is an excellent brunch dish. 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 (good in just about anything). The spice can only be special ordered by contacting me directly.
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 and used as a vaginal steam bath. It definitely helps to heal any episiotomy incision.
There are not only wonderful culinary uses of Basil, but also valuable medicinal uses as well as spiritual and ceremonial ones.
Remember to plant your Basil seeds in late spring and enjoy these delightful, easily grown herbs that need to be included in every summer garden.
Many Green Blessings, Ellen