BASIL

Basil is one of the great culinary herbs. Many Italian recipes contain basil. It has been grown for many thousands of years all over the tropical zones.To many gardeners, basil is truly an incredible herb. There are about 150 known species of basil of which Ocimum basilicumor 'Sweet Basil' is the most commonly grown. It is enjoyed for its rich, spicy flavor with a trace of mint, clove and even licorice.

Along with basils' wonderful fragrances and flavors, some varieties are also used as attractive ornamentals in the summer landscape and others add interest to cut flower arrangements.

Basil was first mentioned in English writing in the mid-seventeenth century and in American literature about 100 years later. Basil is considered sacred in the Hindu cultures, believed by many to be a favorite of their gods. In some cultures basil is a sign of love and devotion between young couples.

HORTICULTURAL FACTS: 

Basil is an annual herb that grows to 24” in height with light green silky and tender leaves that appear to be creased. Originally found in tropical Africa. Later the herb found its way from India to Europe via the overland trade route

BASIL CULINARY FACTS:

Basil is a powerful herb with a fragrant aroma and adaptable taste. Its pleasant taste will allow you to add it to many recipes as a pleasant accent. The herb generally is not found in recipes originating in Northern European countries and Northern France. 

Basil is a key ingredient for tomato sauces and pesto recipes. A favorite use of pesto in French cooking is in soups. 

Italians favor pesto mixed with olive oil and used as a sauce for spaghetti. For a video showing you how to make fresh pesto . Fresh pesto is always better than the store bought version. 

Basil and tomatoes are a natural combination. Use this combination with Pizza. Another great recipe is to cut a crusty roll in half and add salt, olive oil, a few leaves of basil and slices of fresh tomatoes. 

Dress a tomato and mozzarella salad with shredded basil, salt and olive oil. Basil goes well with sweet peppers, fish dishes, meat dishes, wine-garlic sauces, chicken, in butter as a steak condiment, eggs, and shellfish. Fresh leaves are a great accouterments to any salad, cheese or stuffing recipe.

Ocimum gratissimum (also known as African basil) is a medicinal plant which is a native of Africa and Asia. In Nigeria, African basil is described by different local names, but it is popularly known as “scent leaf” in most parts of the country. The plant is used as a condiment and spice in most parts of the world, including Nigeria, in the preparation of different dishes.

For men that take extracts of Ocinum gratissimum for various medical conditions, this
new finding should not make you cringe but rather caution you against indiscriminate and long time use of herbs.

"If the finding of this new study that investigated the effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Ocinum gratissimum (OG) on hormonal and semen parameters of mice is translatable to humans, drinking solely water extracts of OG could pose a grave danger to men’s health because of its toxic effects on the testis."

The study found that the aqueous leaf extract of O.gratissimum (nchuanwu in Ibo, efinrin in Yoruba and daidoya in Hausa) has anti-fertility property when administered alone and that the toxic effects of the plant on the testis may be due to its deleterious effects on the seminiferous tubules, which are important testicular structures involved in sperm formation.

Normal male reproductive function is dependent on the normal functioning of the male reproductive organ and other accessory organs/structures. The male reproductive organ is the testis, which is primarily responsible for the production of spermatozoa. Sperm production occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testis, which is controlled by testosterone, produced by the Leydig (interstitial) cells of the testis. The quality and quantity of spermatozoa produced will therefore depend on normal functioning of the testicular structures and reproductive hormones.

Basil In The Kitchen

Fresh garden tomatoes sliced and sprinkled with chopped basil, vinegar and oil are delicious. Basil mixes well with various egg and cheese dishes as well as fruit jams. In general, add fresh basil at the last moment, as cooking destroys the flavor quickly. When adding dried basil to a recipe that calls for fresh, substitute 1/3 the amount called for in the recipe.

My first thought of a basil recipe is pesto. I love pesto - mounded on angel-hair pasta and surrounded with fresh sliced Botanical Interests tomatoes, or spread on broiled fish or grilled chicken, or a baked potato, or a sauce for string beans or pizza, or - you get the idea. It's tasty, easy, and quick to make.

Pesto (1 cup)

3 cups fresh basil leaves, tightly packed

2 large cloves of garlic

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, finely grated

Add all ingredients except the cheese to a blender or food processor. Blend until well processed. Beat in cheese just before serving.

Fresh Lime-Basil Sorbet

1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (8 to 10 limes)

1 cup water

1 cup simple sugar syrup (1 cup sugar plus 1 cup water, boiled then cooled)

12 whole basil leaves

1 egg white (optional)

Combine all ingredients, except egg white, into a freezer-friendly container and freeze 6 to 8 hours or overnight.

• Remove from freezer and allow to soften a little. Put chunks of frozen mixture into a food processor and process until all crystals have disappeared and mixture is smooth. Re-pack into container and keep frozen until needed. This will keep for up to 2 months. If you prefer a lighter, less icy sorbet, add 1 egg white during processing. Yields 4 servings. (Recipe from Herbal Gardens' website)

Don't forget the flowers. Basil flowers are edible and are a nice complement in salads or used to decorate the dessert or dinner plate. Our 'Siam Queen' and 'Purple Petra' basils are especially nice for this use.

BASIL MEDICINAL FACTS:

• Ancient herbalists believed placing basil leaves on the bites or stings of insects would draw out the poison. Today’s herbalists recommend its use as a digestive and anti-gas aid.
•  Some herbalists recommend it for easing anxiety and headaches because of the basil tea’s sedative properties. 
•  Use it for stomach cramps. It has been proven to ease constipation.
Basil is used for stomach spasms, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, kidney conditions, fluid retention, head colds, warts, and worm infections. It is also used to treat snake and insect bites.
• Women sometimes use basil before and after childbirth to promote blood circulation, and also to start the flow of breast milk.
• Basil contains many chemicals. These chemicals might help get rid of intestinal worms. 
• Basil is a good source of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
• Basil leaves are a nerve tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. The leaves strengthen the stomach and induce copious perspiration. The seed of the plant are mucilaginous.
• Basil has a beneficial effect in cardiac disease and the weakness resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol.
• The leaves are quit effective for the ulcer and infections in the mouth. A few leaves chewed will cure these conditions.

Side Effects:

Basil is safe in food amounts, and it seems to be safe in medicinal amounts when used by adults short-term. In some people basil can cause low blood sugar.

Basil might be UNSAFE when used long-term. It contains estragole, a chemical that might increase the risk of getting liver cancer.

Don't use basil oil. It is UNSAFE due to the estragole content.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Basil seems to be safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women in food amounts. But larger medicinal amounts might be UNSAFE. Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice.

Children: Basil seems to be safe for children in food amounts. But larger medicinal amounts might be UNSAFE. Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice.

"The appropriate dose of basil depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for basil. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using." 

#stayhealthy

Monday, July 22, 2013