All You Need To Know About Basil Herb

All You Need To Know About Basil Herb is that Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is one of the most common and easiest herbs to grow. It is also a staple kitchen ingredient and is often used in cooking. Basil is in high demand throughout Europe and is grown in a wide variety of locations.

1. Medicinal & Culinary Herb

Basil has a long history of being both a medicinal and culinary herb, and it has recently become popular as a food ingredient, as well. There are many different uses of Basil herb that make it valuable both for culinary and medicinal purposes.

2. Provides Numerous Health Benefits

The benefits of the Basil herb are highly diverse, but it is primarily noted for its abilities to: fight bacteria, promote the growth of good health, provide relief from colds and coughs, as well as treat depression, headaches, stomach problems, and nausea. It is widely used to treat respiratory conditions including bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, and pneumonia.

It is useful in the treatment of digestive problems including colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Basil can be used both internally and externally to treat various diseases and ailments.

3. Safety Precaution

Basil is likely safe to use in food products, however, there are a few safety precautions you should consider before using basil in cooking. As with any spice or herb, you should watch cooking procedures when using basil to ensure that you do not ingest any harmful amounts of the herb. Using low quality products when making foods may also cause you to ingest more basil oil than is necessary.

4. Few Tips To Grow Basil In Your Garden

4.1 Moderate Sunlight

Since Basil requires a lot of sunlight, it is important to locate the herb in an area with a somewhat shady spot, preferably one that receives a lot of morning sun. One tip is to grow basil plants in partial shade during the hottest part of the day; this will ensure that they do not dry out. In the southern states, Basil can be grown in full sun, but you should avoid growing it in direct sunlight, as this causes the plant to burn easily.

4.2 Choose A Good Spot

Basil can be successfully grown in any location, but it prefers a sunny location. It is a good idea to place the herb in a larger terracotta pot, rather than planting it in a small container. The soil should be slightly moist but not soggy. If your soil is overly moist, add some compost to help retain moisture. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, for the first month.

4.3 Moderate Soil & Climatic Conditions

When planning to grow basil from seed, it is best to keep in mind the type of climatic and soil conditions that the herb will need to grow in. Growing basil from seed may take several years, so it is important to begin germination as early as possible. If you are planning to grow basil plants from cuttings, you will have a better chance of getting the right kind of herb growth that you want. Basil grows well in a variety of light shade conditions, including sunny windowsill, shallow ponds, and containers.

4.4 Incase You Want To Grow Basil From Cutting

To grow basil from cuttings, you should remove all of the leaves except for the top few leaves. You should gently remove any visible stems on the cutting and then place the cuttings in potting medium that has been soaked in water. Do not put the pot in a shallow dish of water, as this may likely allow the roots to sink into the soil and remain within the pot. If you do not have a rich, deep dish of water for growing basil, you can use a shallow pot that has been filled halfway with water.

5. Conclusion

Basil, also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae. Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia. It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide.

Once the basil plant begins to grow, it will flower at different times of the year, and the blossoms can be harvested for use in recipes at this time. If you are growing your own sweet basil for use in your recipes, you should check the development of the plant about once each month. Remember, the best growth occurs when the plant is approximately four to five inches tall. Basil herb is highly adaptable and can be grown in almost any location.