Basil is one of the most sacred plants with a strong religious mean in India. According to Hindu religion it is believed that if Basil leaves are buried with a died man, he will go to heaven. The Basil plant is small bush that grows to 1-2 feet in height. Its flowers are red or purple in color and sometime white in color. It is believed to be air purifier. The plant gives a spicy scent when bruised. It has warm, clove-like flavor and fragrance.
Biological Name:
Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum Sanctum
Other Names:
English – Basil
Hindi – Barbar or Tulsi
Assamese – Tulasii
Bengali – Babui tulsi or Kalotulsi
Gujarati – Sabje
Kannad – Kama kasturi, Ramkasturi, Tulasigidda, Tulasiya sasyajati or Vishnu tulasi
Malayalam – Pachcha or Sivatulasi
Marathi – Sabja or Tulasa
Oriya – Dhalatulasi
Punjabi – Tulsi
Tamil – Tirunirrippachai, Tiviragandam or Tulasi
Telugu – Oddhi, Rudrajada or Tulsi-chettu
Uses:
1) Kitchen Use
Basil is used in vegetables, tomato sauces, chicken, pizzas, egg dishes and cheeses. It is used in green Thai curry and Italian seasonings. Basil ice cubes are can be used for stews and soups.
2) Medicinal use
Basil is used as a remedy for the following problems:
Nausea, gas pains and dysentery:
Have Basil tea (eight basil leaves in a cup of boiling water)
Vomiting, constipation and enteritis:
Basil is very useful for stomach and the related organ problems.
Sore gums coughs, colds, fevers, headaches, lung problems:
Swish out mouth with basil tea (eight basil leaves in a cup of boiling water)