Basil (, ; ''Ocimum basilicum'' , also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family

Lamiaceae The Lamiaceae ( ) or Labiatae are a family of flowering plants commonly known as the mint, deadnettle or sage family. Many of the plants are aromatic in all parts and include widely used culinary herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory ...

(mints). It is a tender plant, and is used in

cuisine A cuisine is a style of cooking characterized by distinctive ingredients, techniques and dishes, and usually associated with a specific culture or geographic region. Regional food preparation techniques, customs, and ingredients combine to ...

s worldwide. In

Western cuisine European cuisine comprises the cuisines of Europe "European Cuisine."variety also known as sweet basil or Genovese basil. Basil is native to tropical regions from Central Africa to Southeast Asia. In temperate climates basil is treated as an

annual plant An annual plant is a plant that completes its life cycle, from germination to the production of seeds, within one growing season, and then dies. The length of growing seasons and period in which they take place vary according to geographical ...

, however, basil can be grown as a short-lived perennial or biennial in warmer horticultural zones with tropical or Mediterranean climates. There are many varieties of basil including sweet basil, Thai basil (''O. basilicum'' var. ''thyrsiflora''), and Mrs. Burns' Lemon (''O. basilicum var. citriodora''). ''O. basilicum'' can

cross-pollinate Pollination is the transfer of pollen from an Stamen, anther of a plant to the stigma (botany), stigma of a plant, later enabling fertilisation and the production of seeds, most often by an animal or by Anemophily, wind. Pollinating agents can ...

with other species of the ''Ocimum'' genus, producing

hybrid Hybrid may refer to: Science * Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding ** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species ** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...

s such as lemon basil (''O. × citriodorum'') and African blue basil (''O. × kilimandscharicum'').

Etymology

The name "basil" comes from the Latin , and the Greek (), meaning "royal/kingly plant", possibly because the plant was believed to have been used in production of royal perfumes. Basil is likewise sometimes referred to in

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

as ('the royal herb'). The Latin name has been confused with

basilisk In European bestiaries and legends, a basilisk ( or ) is a legendary reptile reputed to be a serpent king, who causes death to those who look into its eyes. According to the ''Naturalis Historia'' of Pliny the Elder, the basilisk of Cyrene is ...

, as it was supposed to be an antidote to the basilisk's venom.

Description

Basil is an annual, or sometimes perennial, herb used for its leaves. Depending on the variety, plants can reach heights of between . Its leaves are richly green and ovate, but otherwise come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes depending on cultivar. Leaf sizes range from long, and between wide. Basil grows a thick, central taproot. Its flowers are small and white, and grow from a central inflorescence, or spike, that emerges from the central stem atop the plant. Unusual among Lamiaceae, the four

stamen The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filame ...

s and the

pistil Gynoecium (; ) is most commonly used as a collective term for the parts of a flower that produce ovules and ultimately develop into the fruit and seeds. The gynoecium is the innermost whorl of a flower; it consists of (one or more) ''pistils'' ...

are not pushed under the upper lip of the

corolla Corolla may refer to: *Corolla (botany), the petals of a flower, considered as a unit *Toyota Corolla, an automobile model name * Corolla (headgear), an ancient headdress in the form of a circlet or crown * ''Corolla'' (gastropod), a genus of moll ...

, but lie over the inferior lip. After entomophilous pollination, the corolla falls off and four round

achene An achene (; ), also sometimes called akene and occasionally achenium or achenocarp, is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate (formed from one carpel) and indehiscent (they do not ope ...

s develop inside the bilabiate

calyx Calyx or calyce (plural "calyces"), from the Latin ''calix'' which itself comes from the Ancient Greek ''κάλυξ'' (''kálux'') meaning "husk" or "pod", may refer to: Biology * Calyx (anatomy), collective name for several cup-like structures ...

Phytochemistry

The various basils have such distinct scents because the volatile aromatic compounds vary with cultivars. The essential oil from European basil contains high concentrations of linalool and

methyl chavicol Estragole (''p''-allylanisole, methyl chavicol) is a phenylpropene, a natural organic compound. Its chemical structure consists of a benzene ring substituted with a methoxy group and an allyl group. It is an isomer of anethole, differing with ...

(estragole), in a ratio of about 3:1. Other constituents include:

1,8-cineole Eucalyptol is a monoterpenoid. A colorless liquid, it is a bicyclic ether. Eucalyptol has a fresh mint-like smell and a spicy, cooling taste. It is insoluble in water, but miscible with organic solvents. Eucalyptol makes up ~70% - 90% of eucaly ...

eugenol Eugenol is an allyl chain-substituted guaiacol, a member of the allylbenzene class of chemical compounds. It is a colorless to pale yellow, aromatic oily liquid extracted from certain essential oils especially from clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, basil ...

, and myrcene, among others. The

clove Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, ''Syzygium aromaticum'' (). They are native to the Maluku Islands (or Moluccas) in Indonesia, and are commonly used as a spice, flavoring or fragrance in consumer products, ...

scent of sweet basil is derived from eugenol. The aroma profile of basil includes 1,8-cineole and methyl eugenol. In this species eugenol is synthesised from coniferyl acetate and

NADPH Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, abbreviated NADP or, in older notation, TPN (triphosphopyridine nucleotide), is a cofactor used in anabolic reactions, such as the Calvin cycle and lipid and nucleic acid syntheses, which require NAD ...

. Some of these are useful as insect repellents, see below.

Distribution and habitat

Basil is native to India and other tropical regions stretching from Africa to South East Asia, but has now become globalized due to human cultivation.

Taxonomy

The exact taxonomy of basil is uncertain due to the immense number of cultivars, its ready polymorphy, and frequent cross-pollination (resulting in new hybrids) with other members of the genus ''Ocimum'' and within the species. ''Ocimum basilicum'' has at least 60 varieties, which further complicates taxonomy.

Cultivars

Most basils are cultivars of sweet basil. Most basil varieties have green leaves, but a few are purple, such as, 'Purple Delight'. *

Anise basil Anise (; '), also called aniseed or rarely anix is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to Eurasia. The flavor and aroma of its seeds have similarities with some other spices and herbs, such as star anise, fennel, licorice, and tar ...

Licorice basil Liquorice (British English) or licorice (American English) ( ; also ) is the common name of ''Glycyrrhiza glabra'', a flowering plant of the bean family Fabaceae, from the root of which a sweet, aromatic flavouring can be extracted. The liqu ...

, or

Persian basil Persian may refer to: * People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language ** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples ** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...

(''O. basilicum'' 'Liquorice') *

Cinnamon basil Cinnamon basil is a type of basil (''Ocimum basilicum''). The term "cinnamon basil" can refer to a number of different varieties of basil, including as a synonym for Thai basil (''O. basilicum'' var. ''thyrsiflora''), as a particular cultivar ...

(''Ocimum basilicum'' 'Cinnamon') * Dark opal basil (''Ocimum basilicum'' 'Dark Opal') * Globe basil, dwarf basil, French basil (''Ocimum basilicum'' 'Minimum') *

Lettuce leaf basil Lettuce leaf basil is a large-leaf variety of ''Ocimum basilicum'' (sweet basil). The large, crinkled leaves, which grow on the short, wide plant, are sweet, but not as strong as other sweet basils. This makes them particularly suitable for tossing ...

(''Ocimum basilicum'' 'Crispum') * Purple basil (''Ocimum basilicum'' 'Purpurescens') * Rubin basil (''Ocimum basilicum'' 'Rubin') * Thai basil (''Ocimum basilicum thyrsifolium'')

Hybrids

* African blue basil (''Ocimum basilicum × O. kilimandscharicum'') * Lemon basil (''Ocimum basilicum × O. americanum'') * Spice basil (''Ocimum basilicum × O. americanum''), which is sometimes sold as holy basil *

Greek basil Greek basil (, ; ''Ocimum basilicum'' var. ''minimum'') is a flowering herb and cultivar of basil. Etymology The name "basil" comes from Latin, ''basilius'', and Greek βασιλικόν φυτόν (''basilikón phutón''), meaning "royal/ki ...

(''Ocimum basilicum var. minimum'')

Similar species

Some similar species in the same genus may be commonly called "basil", although they are not varieties of ''Ocimum basilicum''. * Camphor basil, African basil ('' O. kilimandscharicum'') * Clove basil, also African basil ('' Ocimum gratissimum'') *

Holy basil ''Ocimum tenuiflorum'', commonly known as holy basil, ''tulsi'' or ''tulasi'', is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian ...

(''

Ocimum tenuiflorum ''Ocimum tenuiflorum'', commonly known as holy basil, ''tulsi'' or ''tulasi'', is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian ...

'', formerly known as ''O. sanctum'')

Cultivation

Growing conditions

Basil is sensitive to cold, with best growth in hot, dry conditions. It behaves as an annual if there is any chance of a frost. However, due to its popularity, basil is cultivated in many countries around the world. Production areas include countries in the Mediterranean area, those in the temperate zone, and others in

subtropical The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Geographical z ...

climates. In Northern Europe, Canada, the northern states of the U.S., and the South Island of New Zealand, basil grows best if sown under glass in a peat pot, then planted out in late spring/early summer (when there is little chance of a frost); however, it can also thrive when planted outside in these climates. Additionally, it may be sown in soil once chance of frost is past. It fares best in well-drained soil with direct exposure to the sun. Although basil grows best outdoors, it can be grown indoors in a pot and, like most herbs, will do best on a sun-facing windowsill, kept away from extremely cold drafts. A

greenhouse A greenhouse (also called a glasshouse, or, if with sufficient heating, a hothouse) is a structure with walls and roof made chiefly of Transparent ceramics, transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic condit ...

or row cover is ideal if available. It can, however, even be grown in a basement under fluorescent lights. Supplemental lighting produces greater biomass and phenol production, with red + blue specifically increasing growth and flower bud production. UV-B increases the

volatiles Volatiles are the group of chemical elements and chemical compounds that can be readily vaporized. In contrast with volatiles, elements and compounds that are not readily vaporized are known as refractory substances. On planet Earth, the term ' ...

in ''O. basilicum''

essential oil An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the o ...

, which has not been reproducible in other plants, and so may be unique to the genus or even to this species. Basil plants require regular watering, but not as much attention as is needed in other climates. If its leaves have wilted from lack of water, it will recover if watered thoroughly and placed in a sunny location. Yellow leaves towards the bottom of the plant are an indication that the plant has been stressed; usually this means that it needs less water, or less or more fertilizer. Basil can be propagated reliably from cuttings with the stems of short cuttings suspended in water for two weeks or until roots develop.

Pruning, flowering, and seeding

Once a stem produces flowers, foliage production stops on that stem, the stem becomes woody, and essential oil production declines. To prevent this, a basil-grower may pinch off any flower stems before they are fully mature. Because only the blooming stem is so affected, some stems can be pinched for leaf production, while others are left to bloom for decoration or seeds. Picking the leaves off the plant helps promote growth, largely because the plant responds by converting pairs of leaflets next to the topmost leaves into new stems. Once the plant is allowed to flower, it may produce seed pods containing small black seeds, which can be saved and planted the following year. If allowed to go to seed, a basil plant will grow back the next year.

Diseases

Basil suffers from several plant pathogens that can ruin the crop and reduce yield.

Fusarium wilt Fusarium wilt is a common vascular wilt fungal disease, exhibiting symptoms similar to Verticillium wilt. This disease has been investigated extensively since the early years of this century. The pathogen that causes Fusarium wilt is ''Fusarium o ...

is a soil-borne fungal disease that will quickly kill younger basil plants. Seedlings may be killed by '' Pythium'' damping off. A common foliar disease of basil is

gray mold ''Botrytis cinerea'' is a necrotrophic fungus that affects many plant species, although its most notable hosts may be wine grapes. In viticulture, it is commonly known as "botrytis bunch rot"; in horticulture, it is usually called "grey mould" or ...

caused by '' Botrytis cinerea''; it can cause infections post-harvest and is capable of killing the entire plant. Black spot can be seen on basil foliage and is caused by the fungi genus '' Colletotrichum''. Downy mildew caused by ''Peronospora belbahrii'' is a significant disease, as first reported in Italy in 2004. It was reported in the U.S. in 2007 and 2008. Non-pathogenic bacteria found on basil include ''

Novosphingobium ''Novosphingobium'' is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria that includes ''N. taihuense'', which can degrade aromatic compounds such as phenol, aniline, nitrobenzene and phenanthrene. The species ''N. aromativorans'', which was first found in Ul ...

'' species.

Uses

Culinary

Basil is most commonly used fresh in recipes. In general, it is added last, as cooking quickly destroys the flavor. The fresh herb can be kept for a short time in plastic bags in the refrigerator, or for a longer period in the freezer, after being blanched quickly in boiling water.

Leaves and flowers

The most commonly used Mediterranean basil cultivars are "Genovese", "Purple Ruffles", "Mammoth", "Cinnamon", "Lemon", "Globe", and " African Blue". Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto, an Italian sauce with

olive oil Olive oil is a liquid fat obtained from olives (the fruit of ''Olea europaea''; family Oleaceae), a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin, produced by pressing whole olives and extracting the oil. It is commonly used in cooking: f ...

and basil as its primary ingredients. Many national cuisines use fresh or dried basils in soups and other foods, such as to thicken soups. Basil is commonly steeped in cream or milk to create flavor in ice cream or chocolate truffles. Lemon basil has a strong lemony smell and flavor due to the presence of citral. It is widely used in Indonesia, where it is called and served raw as an accompaniment to meat or fish.

Seeds

When soaked in water, the seeds of several basil varieties become gelatinous, and are used in Asian drinks and desserts such as the Indian ''

faluda A ''falooda'' is a Mughlai Indian version of a cold dessert made with noodles. It has origins in the Persian dish '' faloodeh'', variants of which are found across West, Central, and South Asia. Traditionally it is made by mixing rose syrup, ...

'', the Iranian , or . In Kashmir, the

Ramadan , type = islam , longtype = Religious , image = Ramadan montage.jpg , caption=From top, left to right: A crescent moon over Sarıçam, Turkey, marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Ramadan. Ramadan Quran reading in Bandar Torkaman, Iran. ...

fast is often broken with ''babre beole'', a sharbat made with basil seeds.

Folk medicine

Basil is used in folk medicine practices, such as those of Ayurveda or traditional Chinese medicine.

Toxicity to pests and pathogens

Insecticide and insect repellent

Studies of the essential oil have shown insecticidal and insect-repelling properties, including potential toxicity to mosquitos. The essential oil is found by Huignard et al. 2008 to inhibit electrical activity by decreasing action potential amplitude, by shortening the post hyperpolarization phase, and reducing the action frequency of action potentials. In Huignard's opinion this is due to the linalool and estagole, the amplitude reduction due to linalool, and the phase shortening due to both. '' Callosobruchus maculatus'', a pest which affects cowpea, is repelled by the essential oil. The essential oil mixed with kaolin is both an

adulticide Insecticides are substances used to kill insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against insect eggs and larvae, respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and by consumers. Insecticides are claimed to ...

and an ovicide, effective for three months in against ''C. maculatus'' in cowpea. The thrips ''

Frankliniella occidentalis The western flower thrips 'Frankliniella occidentalis'' (Pergande)is an invasive pest insect in agriculture. This species of thrips is native to the Southwestern United States but has spread to other continents, including Europe, Australia (w ...

'' and '' Thrips tabaci'' are repelled by ''O. basilicum'', making this useful as an insect repellent in other crops. The pests ''

Sitophilus oryzae ''Sitophilus'' is a genus of weevils in the tribe Litosomini. Some species are familiar as pests of stored grain, nut, or seed. Notable pest species include the rice weevil (''S. oryzae''), wheat weevil (''S. granarius''), and maize weevil (''S. ...

'', '' Stegobium paniceum'', ''

Tribolium castaneum The red flour beetle (''Tribolium castaneum'') is a species of beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, the darkling beetles. It is a worldwide pest of stored products, particularly food grains, and a model organism for ethological and food safety ...

'', and ''

Bruchus chinensis ''Bruchus'' is a genus of beetles in the leaf beetle family, leaf beetle, Chrysomelidae. They are distributed mainly in the Palearctic realm, Palearctic,Kergoat, G. J., et al. (2007)Defining the limits of taxonomic conservatism in host–plant use ...

'' are evaluated by Deshpande et al. 1974 and '77.

Nematicide

The essential oil is found by Malik et al. 1987 and Sangwan et al. 1990 to be

nematicidal A nematicide is a type of chemical pesticide used to kill plant- parasitic nematodes. Nematicides have tended to be broad-spectrum toxicants possessing high volatility or other properties promoting migration through the soil. Aldicarb (Temik), a c ...

against ''

Tylenchulus semipenetrans ''Tylenchulus semipenetrans'' (Citrus nematode, Citrus root nematode) is a species of plant pathogenic nematodes and the causal agent of slow decline of citrus. ''T. semipenetrans'' is found in most citrus production areas and diverse soil textu ...

'', '' Meloidogyne javanica'', ''

Anguina tritici ''Anguina tritici'' (ear-cockle nematode, seed-gall nematode, seed and leaf gall nematode, wheat gall nematode, wheat seed gall nematode, wheat seed-gall nematode, wheat seed and leaf gall nematode) is a plant pathogenic nematode. History and ...

'', and '' Heterodera cajani''.

Bacterial and fungal inhibition

The essential oil of the leaf and/or terminal shoot is effective against a large number of bacterial species including ''

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ''Lactiplantibacillus plantarum'' (formerly ''Lactobacillus arabinosus'' and ''Lactobacillus plantarum'') is a widespread member of the genus ''Lactiplantibacillus'' and commonly found in many fermented food products as well as anaerobic plant ma ...

'' and '' Pseudomonas'' spp. The essential oil of leaf and/or terminal shoot is also effective against a large number of fungal species including '' Aspergillus'' spp., '' Candida'' spp., '' Mucor'' spp., and ''

Geotrichum candidum ''Geotrichum candidum'' is a fungus which is a member of the human microbiome, notably associated with skin, sputum, and faeces where it occurs in 25–30% of specimens. It is common in soil and has been isolated from soil collected around the w ...

''.

Culture

There are many rituals and beliefs associated with basil. The ancient Egyptians and ancient Greeks believed basil would open the gates of heaven for a person passing on. Jewish folklore suggests it adds strength while fasting. However, Herbalist Nicholas Culpeper saw basil as a plant of dread and suspicion. In Portugal, dwarf bush basil is traditionally presented in a pot, together with a poem and a paper carnation, to a sweetheart, on the religious holidays of John the Baptist (see ) and Saint

Anthony of Padua Anthony of Padua ( it, Antonio di Padova) or Anthony of Lisbon ( pt, António/Antônio de Lisboa; born Fernando Martins de Bulhões; 15 August 1195 – 13 June 1231) was a Portuguese people, Portuguese Catholic Church, Catholic priesthood (Cath ...

. In

Giovanni Boccaccio Giovanni Boccaccio (, , ; 16 June 1313 – 21 December 1375) was an Italian writer, poet, correspondent of Petrarch, and an important Renaissance humanist. Born in the town of Certaldo, he became so well known as a writer that he was somet ...

's 14th century ''Decameron'', the fifth story of the narrative's fourth day involves a pot of basil as a central plot device. This famous story inspired

John Keats John Keats (31 October 1795 – 23 February 1821) was an English poet of the second generation of Romantic poets, with Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley. His poems had been in publication for less than four years when he died of tuberculo ...

to write his 1814 poem "

Isabella, or the Pot of Basil ''Isabella, or the Pot of Basil'' (1818) is a narrative poem by John Keats adapted from a story in Boccaccio's ''Decameron'' (IV, 5). It tells the tale of a young woman whose family intend to marry her to "some high noble and his olive trees", b ...

", which was in turn the inspiration for two paintings of the

Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (later known as the Pre-Raphaelites) was a group of English painters, poets, and art critics, founded in 1848 by William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Michael Rossetti, James ...

: John Everett Millais's ''Isabella'' in 1849 and in 1868 the ''

Isabella and the Pot of Basil ''Isabella and the Pot of Basil'' is a painting completed in 1868 by William Holman Hunt depicting a scene from John Keats's poem ''Isabella, or the Pot of Basil''. It depicts the heroine Isabella caressing the basil pot in which she had buried ...

'' by William Holman Hunt. Basil has religious significance in the Greek Orthodox Church, where it is used to sprinkle holy water. The

Bulgarian Orthodox Church The Bulgarian Orthodox Church ( bg, Българска православна църква, translit=Balgarska pravoslavna tsarkva), legally the Patriarchate of Bulgaria ( bg, Българска патриаршия, links=no, translit=Balgarsk ...

Serbian Orthodox Church The Serbian Orthodox Church ( sr-Cyrl, Српска православна црква, Srpska pravoslavna crkva) is one of the autocephalous (ecclesiastically independent) Eastern Orthodox Christian denomination, Christian churches. The majori ...

, Macedonian Orthodox Church and Romanian Orthodox Church use basil ( bg, босилек, ; sr, босиљак, ; mk, босилек, ) to prepare holy water and pots of basil are often placed below church altars. Some Greek Orthodox Christians even avoid eating it due to its association with the legend of the Elevation of the Holy Cross.

References

External links

Basil: Knowing and Growing from the New York Botanical Garden
{{sister bar, auto=yes, commons=Ocimum basilicum, wikt=basil Articles containing video clips Flora of Asia Flora of New Guinea Herbs Indian spices Insect repellents Mediterranean cuisine Medicinal plants of Asia Ocimum Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus