Ocimum basilicum - Basil
Ocimum basilicum - Basil
Basil is a great herb to add to many meals and can easily be grown at home!
Common Name: Basil
Scientific Name: Ocimum basilicum
Plant Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Primary Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves, flowering top. These can be added for flavor or made into pesto or tea.
Medicinal Uses: Once used in salves for royalty, eating basil helps with gas, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting. Basil also helps ease nerves, irritability, fatigue, depression, insomnia, and anxiety, as well using the juice to relieve insect bites and stings.
Meaning of Scientific Name: Ocimum is derived from the word “smell” in Greek. Basilicum means “kingly” or “royal herb”, also derived from Greek.
Designing with this Plant
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11
Forest garden layer: Herbaceous
Harvest leaves throughout the season and remove flowers to keep the plant producing new leaves.
Sources
Gladstar, Rosemary. (2012). Medicinal Herbs. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.
