Basil herbs are royalty, meaning "King"the name originated from the Greek word basileus. But you new that. Rumour has it that, many years ago, the Romans & Greeks associated the word and the herb became somewhat malicious. And get this... some good citizens believed that the only way to get herbs to germinate was to scream a curse at them. This has since proved to be incorrect but it is difficult to argue against the fact that basil herbs are a 'strongly perfumed' if not too strong.
In later years, Italian males gave their female 'targets' a handfull because it was considered a romantic thing to do. Generally considered a Mediterrean native plant also used in Thai & Italian gourmet dishes, basil actualy originated in India, yes India.
Getting Your Basil to Grow
In some temperate regions, basil is often used as an annual and in tropical areas, it's sometimes grown as a perenial. Wherever it's growing, basil is quite sensitive to temperature and it grows better in warmer climates with lots of sunlight.
Basil prefers soil that does not hold the water too much along with premium quality compost or well 'matured' manure. It needs a constant supply of water along with good drainage. Basil will wilt quickly if it doesn't get enough light or it's positioned where it gets a breeze. Additionally. those looking after basil will need to add mulch to the soil to maintain it properly. The stems will need to be removed along with the flowers when it starts to get going.
Removing the flowers is something that has to happen, that's what gives basil to the world. If yiou get the opportunity, try the flavor of basil leaves just before the plant flowers.
Basil & It's Uses
Although basil herbs do posses antviral & antibacterial benefits they're not generally used as a homeopathic extract, they are best known for their benefits to cooking. Part of the mint family they do actually aid digestive processes as well as brewing a pot of tea.
There are actually 60 known species of basil and many more we haven't discovered yet. Sweet basil is one of the most commonly used herbs for chefs, though lemon basil is just as popular for certain soups, beverages and deserts. Other notable types of basil include cinnamon, African blue (mainly used for aroma) and Opal basil.
Some of the basil available at retail outlets has been out for the ground for a long period and has lost its oomph. The benefit of having your own herb garden is your basil will be super fresh & full of flavor.
The dishes you serve up to your family will have that 'X' factor if you use fresh basil!
In later years, Italian males gave their female 'targets' a handfull because it was considered a romantic thing to do. Generally considered a Mediterrean native plant also used in Thai & Italian gourmet dishes, basil actualy originated in India, yes India.
Getting Your Basil to Grow
In some temperate regions, basil is often used as an annual and in tropical areas, it's sometimes grown as a perenial. Wherever it's growing, basil is quite sensitive to temperature and it grows better in warmer climates with lots of sunlight.
Basil prefers soil that does not hold the water too much along with premium quality compost or well 'matured' manure. It needs a constant supply of water along with good drainage. Basil will wilt quickly if it doesn't get enough light or it's positioned where it gets a breeze. Additionally. those looking after basil will need to add mulch to the soil to maintain it properly. The stems will need to be removed along with the flowers when it starts to get going.
Removing the flowers is something that has to happen, that's what gives basil to the world. If yiou get the opportunity, try the flavor of basil leaves just before the plant flowers.
Basil & It's Uses
Although basil herbs do posses antviral & antibacterial benefits they're not generally used as a homeopathic extract, they are best known for their benefits to cooking. Part of the mint family they do actually aid digestive processes as well as brewing a pot of tea.
There are actually 60 known species of basil and many more we haven't discovered yet. Sweet basil is one of the most commonly used herbs for chefs, though lemon basil is just as popular for certain soups, beverages and deserts. Other notable types of basil include cinnamon, African blue (mainly used for aroma) and Opal basil.
Some of the basil available at retail outlets has been out for the ground for a long period and has lost its oomph. The benefit of having your own herb garden is your basil will be super fresh & full of flavor.
The dishes you serve up to your family will have that 'X' factor if you use fresh basil!
About the Author:
Before you go rushing out to spend money on herbs... check out some more insights from herb guru Peter Williams about basil herbs check out www.WhatAreHerbs.com Don't reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
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