Royal plant remains sacred to this day – as well as being a sign of love
Beautiful Botanicals by Joanne Howdle
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a sun-loving botanical in the Lamiaceae family of aromatic flowering plants which includes other culinary herbs like mint, rosemary, sage and thyme.
There are more than 100 varieties of basil and in Western cuisine, the generic term “basil” refers to the variety also known as “Sweet Basil” or “Genovese Basil”. The latter name exists because the people of Genoa are said to have created pesto to highlight the flavour of the basil grown in the Italian region of Liguria where Genoa is located.
Basil is native to tropical regions from Central Africa to South-East Asia and, depending on the variety, basil can grow up to 150 centimetres in height. Basil leaves are glossy and ovulate, with smooth or slightly toothed edges.
The leaves range from green to purple depending on the variety. Basil flowers are small and white, and grow from a central inflorescence or spike that emerges from the central stem atop the botanical. The Chinese name for basil translates as “nine-level pagoda”, which is a good description of its blooming spike. Basil flowers are magnets for bees and other pollinators.
King Alexander III of Macedon (356 BC-323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great, is said to have introduced basil to the Greeks. In fact, the genus name of the botanical comes from the Ancient Greek word basilikon phuton meaning “royal plant” – probably because basil was used in the manufacture of fine royal perfumes, medicines, and the commemoration of the dead in Ancient Greece.
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Although named by the Greeks, basil is believed to have originated in India circa 5000 years ago. In India today, the botanical is still considered a sacred herb. Nurturing a basil plant is believed to ensure that a person’s sins will be forgiven, and everlasting peace and joy will be had. The dried stems of old holy basil plants are used to make Hindu meditation beads.
From India, basil spread to Ancient Egypt, where the botanical was used, among other things, for embalming the dead during the mummification process.
In Ancient Rome, basil was considered a sign of love. If young girls were seeking a suitor, they would place a pot of basil on their windowsill. If a potential suitor showed up with a sprig of basil, the girl would love him forever.
As basil was also believed by the Romans to have aphrodisiac properties, a young girl would have to take careful consideration before putting a pot of basil on her windowsill lest she attracted an unwanted suitor.
In traditional medicine, Greek physician Hippocrates of Kos (circa 460-370 BC) – who is known as the Father of Medicine – prescribed basil as a tonic for the heart and to treat vomiting and constipation. Roman author Gaius Plinius Secundus (23/24-79 AD), known as Pliny the Elder, noted that basil was good for treating lethargy and fainting spells, headaches, flatulence, and other digestive issues.
Basil does contain a healthy amount of vitamins A, C, and K and has antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which helps fight disease. Studies show that basil can help reduce blood clots by making the blood less “sticky”. Animal studies suggest that the botanical might help slow the growth rate of some types of cancer.
In gin production fresh basil leaves are vapour infused, giving the spirit a fresh herbaceous taste which is sweet but peppery on the palate, with a camphor-like aroma on the nose. In gin-based cocktails, fresh basil leaves pair well with lime, strawberry and tomato.
• Joanne Howdle is interpretation and engagement manager at the multi-award-winning Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd.
