Basil (plant)

Description

The common basil is a annual Plante from 20 to 60 cm in height, with sheets ovals-lancéolées, reaching 2 to 3 cm. The sheets are green pale with dark green, sometimes purple crimson at certain varieties.

The drawn up stems, ramified, have a square section like much of labiées, they tend to become woody and bulky.

The flowers, bilabiées, small and white, have the upper lip cut out in four lobes. They of small size and are grouped in long tubular ears, in the shape of lengthened bunches.

The seeds fine, oblong, are black.

History

The basil term would derive from the old Greek βαζιλικόν / basilikón (“royal plant”), itself derived from βασιλεὐς / basileús , king, by low-Latin basilicum , royal, in reference to the great regard carried to this grass.

This plant, probably originating in Iran or India, arrived in Europe via the the Middle East: in Italy and in the south of France at the 15th century, in England at the 17th century, then in America with the first emigrants.

The Ocimum tenuiflorum , the crowned basil, is a species cultivated close to the Buddhist Temple S , in particular in Thailand.

In Gaulle, the inhabitants gathered the basil in July - August when it is in flower, the gatherers of this crowned plant were to devote themselves to the ritual strict ones of purification: to wash the hand which gathered in the water of three different sources, to cover clean clothing, to keep away from impure people (women in period of menstruation) and not to use metal tools to cut the stems. She was regarded as a crowned plant because one lent the capacity to him to cure the aggravated assault, especially the wounds of Arquebuse. It thus entered the composition of vulnerary red water.

Elisabeth, heroin of Boccace, buried the head of her lover in a basil pot sprinkled with her tears.

Varieties

Principal species:

Basil with small sheets , minimum Ocimum , with the citronné taste, running on the markets, its perfume intense is perfect for the kitchen (soup with the pistou, sauces).

Small basil
fine Basil green
Marseilles Basil

Basil with large sheets (which can reach up to 10 cm), with the odor of Jasmin, Réglisse and Citron.

Great green
Basil with sheets of lettuce
Basil with curly sheets

Basil crimson (with sheets crimsons and flowers pale pink), with the flexible and decorative sheets, with the soft perfume and a little peppered, is used for salads.
Thai Basil , its sheets evokes at the same time the Menthe and the Clove, and is used with the seafood and exotic soup.

The Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (syn. of O. sanctum ), the crowned basil, is a species cultivated close to the Buddhist Temple S , in particular in Thailand.

Culture

The culture of the basil requires a sunny , the Mediterranean N or tropical hot climate and . It can be also cultivated in moderated countries, that is to say out of pots or flowers stand, or open ground with the help of some precautions.

The culture of the basil requires five hours of daily sunning; July - August is the period favourable for the harvest of its sheets at ends of congelation.

Caution: the basil fears the cold and does not resist if the temperature goes down in lower parts of 10 °C.

The basil prefers a fresh ground and well drained and a sheltered exposure.

It should be prevented from going up in flowers, therefore to grip the end of the stems when the flowers are formed.

The multiplication is done by sowing with the Printemps, towards March - April. In moderate Climate, it should be done in greenhouse or in pots maintained at a temperature of about 20 °C. Road repair in open ground can be made when the ground was sufficiently heated and that the frosts are not any more to fear, that is to say towards the end of May.

Uses

For the food

Like aromatic Herb fresh with salads, the quite ripe Tomato S, the Zucchini S, the garlic, the Shell S, the Poisson S (mullet), scrambled eggs, the chicken, the rabbit, the Duck, salads of crudenesses, salads of Rice, the pastes and the Sauce S (Vinaigrette S, with lemon, the olive oil). It is used preferably believed because it does not appreciate long cookings which attenuate its perfume. For the hot dishes it should be added right before being used for to preserve its sharp and fresh savor to him. Always for reasons of safeguarding of its flavor, it is not mixed, but is crushed in a mortar with a rammer.

Soup with the pistou (Provence)
Pesto (Ligurie), it is the receipt of the North-West of Italy, star of the basil. Crushed with olive oil, pecorino (possibly of the Parmesan), pinions and garlic, it gives a consistent sauce to accompany the pastes.
Pistou (southern of France): it is a receipt close to Italian Pesto, but prepares without the pinions, to accompany soups by haricot bean and vegetable summer, the pastes, the eggplant or zucchini fritters.
Spaghetti with the grasses
Velvety of basil to the Parmesan.

Caution:

the basil is difficult to adapt with others grass, except the Persil, the Thym, the Serpolet, the Sarriette and with the rigor the Romarin.
It is preserved only two days at the refrigerator, wrapped tight in a cloth or slightly wet paper absorbing.
Sec it loses all its perfume and it is to freeze best engraved.
It should be thinned out the leaves of before engraving it because its stems are sometimes coriaces.
One can also crush it with the mortar to make burst the cells who contain essential oil and better release its flavors.
the basil is presented in bits or bouquets which must be firm and green, but it can be also bought out of pot and which makes it possible to have it until the autumn.

Like essential Oil for the preparations of perfumes and liquors; the fresh plant distilled gives a gasoline containing of the Eucalyptol and the Eugénol.

In India, the basil is a crowned Plante and is not used in the food.

In pharmacy

Use

Left used: flowered sheets and celebrities
Property: Stomachique, carminative, lactagogue, light narcotic
Directions for use: Infusion, powder, gasoline, oenolé, cataplasm

Sedative, antispasmodic of the digestive tracts, diuretic, antimicrobic, against the indigestion and as a vermifuge. It would move away the mosquitos and it is a remedy against the Héméralopie.

Symbolic system

In India, the basil is a crowned plant deposited in offering with Vishnou, guard of the world, and with Krishna, a god saver of the world. During the Antiquity, he is regarded as a royal plant. In certain area of Africa, the basil is used to entreat the bad fate.

See too

Basil (mythology), for the animal mytholgic of the same name.

Be-X-old: Базылік Zh-min-nan: Káu-chàn-thah

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