Basil: what is it, where does it grow and what does the plant look like in the photo

Not everyone is familiar with such a spice as basil. Therefore, it is interesting to know what basil is. The sonorous name of the herb is fascinating, associated with oriental cuisine, aromas of exotic dishes. Translated from Greek, basil is translated as "royal", "royal". The grass belongs to the Yasnotkovy family, and is not considered a curiosity for summer residents. Spice varieties have been developed that are grown everywhere, adding canned food to various dishes.

Biological description and distribution

More than 70 varieties of spicy herbs are known to scientists, but the most common in vegetable gardens are 3 species that differ in leaf size and color.Depending on the application, camphor basil is used in medicine, fragrant or ordinary for the preparation of seasonings.

If in the countries of the Mediterranean region a spicy plant is found in the wild, then in other areas it is cultivated, grown for treatment, consumption. In Greece, the grass is called reagan, and in In India, she is known as tulsi - incomparable. The grass does not tolerate frost at all, therefore it is more common in areas with comfortable climatic conditions: in the Caucasus, in the Crimea, on the Pacific islands. But summer residents also grow basil in Siberia, choosing varieties adapted to more severe conditions.

The whole plant is fragrant: the basil leaves, the stem, and the calyx.

Among plants there are both annual and perennial specimens.

Photo Basilica

I wonder what basil looks like in the garden. This plant has tetrahedral stems, rising up to 30-60 centimeters above the ground. You can decorate the site with beds of different types of plants. After all, basil leaves can be green, purple or burgundy in color. And when the grass blooms, it is impossible to take your eyes off the miniature cups of white, pink, purple hues. Inflorescences reach a length of up to 30 centimeters, towering at the top of the stem. At the same time, the aroma from planting spreads around, attracting insects with a peppery, mint, lemon smell.

There are varieties with smooth and fluffy leaves and stem. They contain glands that secrete essential oils with various odors.

In late August - early September, instead of flowers, black fruits-nuts are formed, where basil seeds are hidden. They are scattered around the area on their own, so the grass spreads.So that there is no chaotic growth of the spice, the seeds are collected and planted in beds in sunny areas or in a greenhouse. They also grow basil in pots on the windowsill.

Basil composition

Aromatic grass contains many useful elements. In the green parts of the plant, almost all B vitamins, ascorbic acid. Basil leaves are valued for their presence of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, cholines. Therefore, it is useful to harvest leaves for medicinal purposes.

Among the greenery, basil is famous not only for its fragrant flowers, the plant also has medicinal properties. Leaves and stems are used in the form of seasoning due to the presence of essential oils in them. Dry grass is used by culinary specialists to prepare dishes of French, Georgian, Italian cuisine. There are only 23 kilocalories in 100 grams of spice. Plant parts contain more proteins and carbohydrates than fats. The nutritional value of dried grass increases, as the content of carbohydrates in it increases.

Due to the rich composition of basil, the plant has both healing and excellent taste qualities. It is advised to use it as a seasoning in diets for those who want to lose extra pounds.

Basil uses and benefits

When talking about the use of spicy herbs, they usually mean ordinary basil. The bred varieties of the plant have many advantages, both culinary and medicinal.

In medicine

Camphor basil is actively used in medicine. Even during the war years, the plant was used to prepare camphor alcohol, which served as an excellent antiseptic in the treatment of wounds.

The use of the herb basil vulgaris is taking place in view of the fact that basil helps in the treatment of patients with:

asthenia;
impaired respiratory function;
circulatory disorders;
depressed state of the central nervous system;
epilepsy;
headaches and toothaches;
colds of the upper respiratory tract, tonsillitis.

Spice-based remedies stop vomiting. They should be used to improve digestion, increase appetite.

Infusions from the leaves are used for rinsing with stomatitis, compresses in the treatment of allergic dermatitis.

Cooking

Basil, its leaves, fresh and dried, are used in cooking. Greek, Caucasian, Italian cuisine cannot be imagined without this seasoning.

Vegetable basil in Central Asian dishes is called raikhon. Not a single dish of national cuisine can do without seasoning. And the main dishes of the peoples of the Caucasus are seasoned with dried reagan grass. Fresh young shoots are happy to be eaten raw.

Fragrant basil put:

French in sauces, soups;
English - cottage cheese, pates, stews and tomato salads;
Italian chefs sprinkle pasta, boiled and aspic fish with powdered spice;
to spice up salads, sauces, ketchups;
in the manufacture of sausages, canned and smoked products.

In order for the herb to retain its flavor in dishes, it is necessary to sprinkle the dish with spice before serving. 0.5 grams of dried herb powder is sufficient per serving.

In cosmetology

Medicinal herbs with a strong aroma are not overlooked by perfumers. The essential oil obtained by steam distillation is widely used in the preparation of cosmetics for skin care.After using the cream, gel with basil oil, the skin becomes elastic, rejuvenated.

Antioxidants in the composition of the plant have a positive effect on the restoration of metabolic processes in the dermis at the cellular level, normalize the water-s alt and fat balance.

Juice obtained from spicy herbs helps to heal inflammation on the skin, heal ulcers. Therefore, fragrant basil is used in lotions, cleansers. The drugs can reduce the amount of acne on the face, heal purulent wounds with acne.

Grass with the smell of lemon, cinnamon, mint is added as a flavoring agent to soaps, perfumes, toothpastes. In addition, the products also have an antiseptic effect on tissues and mucous membranes.

Don't get carried away with spice-based cosmetics for people with allergic reactions, sensitive skin.

In everyday life

An experienced housewife can use common basil to flavor the premises of the house, spreading the branches on parchment paper.

The finished oil of the plant is instilled into special aroma lamps, choosing the right smell. When cleaning the house, add 2-3 drops to a bucket to mop the floor. And dropping onto a soft cloth, they wipe the furniture.

In home preservation, fresh herb leaves are used, adding to marinades for preparing blanks for the winter. The plant goes well with tomatoes. It will give originality to ketchups and sauces.

You can cook the grass, put it in sealed bags and send it to the freezer. So until the next harvest, the hostess will use seasoning.

Leaves are kept fresh in a glass jar when poured with olive oil. Within 3 months, you can season the dishes with spicy herbs.

Useful properties and contraindications to the use of basil

Like any oilseed cultures, spicy herbs should be used with caution, especially for those who suffer:

blood clotting disorders;
thrombophlebitis, varicose veins;
gastric and duodenal ulcer;
hypertension and heart failure.

The herb harms allergy sufferers who react to the plant's strong spicy aroma.

To increase appetite, use basil leaves by adding them to tea or dishes, but excessive use will irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.

Do not use preparations with herbal essential oils more than 3 times a week.Excessive doses will lead to poisoning. It is dangerous to give spice-based products to children under 7 years of age, women during pregnancy and lactation. Vegetable crops, like fragrant basil, can give unpredictable reactions. Fragrant, it can cause dizziness, fainting when taken in large quantities.

You should not get carried away chewing fresh leaves of the plant for those who have increased sensitivity of tooth enamel.

Be sure to consult your doctor before using herbal preparations.

Folk recipes

Traditional medicine advises taking fragrant basil in cases where:

Sick in transport. A couple of leaves of grass are put in the mouth for the duration of the journey.
The nervous system is depressed, there is a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. 15-30 grams of raw materials are poured with boiling water in the amount of 60 milliliters.The remedy must be infused until cool, then strain and take half a glass 2 times a day. After a week of treatment, take a break for 14 days, then repeat the course.
Shoots in the ears. The juice from the leaves and stems of the plant is squeezed out when the grass has not yet bloomed. In its pure form, it can be instilled into the ears with purulent otitis media.
Identified urinary tract infection. Inside use in a diluted form, mixing with water in equal amounts. The solution is taken with cystitis, pyelonephritis 2-3 times a day. You can replace the juice with an infusion of basil leaves: 2 tablespoons of herbs in 500 milliliters of hot water. Consume half a glass three times a day.
I need to improve my eyesight. Compresses are made from essential oil in the amount of 2-3 drops per glass of hot water for 10-15 minutes once a day. Thanks to the strong antioxidant in basil oil, you can keep your eyesight intact into old age.
Need to prepare for the birth of the baby.To facilitate childbirth, they begin to drink an infusion of common basil, lemon balm, borage, violet flowers in a week, taking plants in a ratio of 2: 2: 1: 1. Pour 1 tablespoon of the collection with 500 milliliters of hot water. They drink 100 grams of the drug, alternating with raspberry leaf tea.
It is necessary to eliminate the inflammation in the mouth. To soothe toothache, use an infusion of leaves, rinsing the mouth 2-3 times a day.
Cold throat, cough. Essential oil of basil (4-5 drops) can be added to potato broth and inhaled.

Fresh grass leaves purify indoor air, repel insects. Indians and Africans rub crushed spice leaves on their skin to get rid of flying parasites.

Interesting facts about the basilica

There are many interesting things connected with basil. Where the bushes of the plant grew, pests of the garden and vegetable garden do not appear.Therefore, it is worth starting growing grass in your area, as basil will attract beneficial insects with its smell, which will pollinate garden and garden crops. Attracts a plant of bees, bumblebees in a greenhouse, so you can plant spicy grass there.

Indians consider the fragrant plant to be divine. It protects the dwelling from evil spells, cleanses the human aura. And the Egyptians used aromatic powder in mixtures for mummification. From the stems of the plant, a rosary was made, which could protect from evil forces, the evil eye.

In the countries of southern Europe, reagan is considered a plant that indicates loy alty and love. If a young man accepts a stalk of grass from a girl's hands, then he becomes her fiance. Considered a strong aphrodisiac, the plant will help increase sexual desire. Both men and women are advised to take grass before lovemaking.

The taste of basil is considered incomparable, regal. After all, before dishes with spices were served only in rich houses. Now everyone can enjoy the aroma by adding fresh leaves to summer salads. Without them, you won't get real Italian pesto sauce.