basil

File:Timelapse-Basil-growing.oga of growing basil]]

File:Ocimum basilicum desiccated 5145~2016 01 03.JPG

Basil is an annual, or sometimes perennial, herb. Depending on the variety, plants can reach heights of between {{convert|30 and 150|cm|ft|0|abbr=off}}.{{Cite journal |last1=Kandil |first1=M. A. M. |last2=Khatab |first2=M. E. |last3=Ahmed |first3=S. S. |last4=Schnug |first4=E |date=2009 |title=Herbal and essential oil yield of Genovese basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown with mineral and organic fertilizer sources in Egypt |journal=Journal für Kulturpflanzen |volume=61 |pages=443–449 |number=12}} Basil leaves are glossy and ovulate, with smooth or slightly toothed edges that typically cup slightly; the leaves are arranged oppositely along the square stems.{{cite web |last1=Britannica |first1=((The Editors of Encyclopaedia)) |title=basil (herb) |url=https://www.britannica.com/plant/basil |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=21 December 2023}} Leaves may be green or purple. Its flowers are small and white, and grow from a central inflorescence, or spike, that emerges from the central stem atop the plant.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} Unusual among Lamiaceae, the four stamens and the pistil are not pushed under the upper lip of the corolla, but lie over the inferior lip. After entomophilous pollination, the corolla falls off and four round achenes develop inside the bilabiate calyx.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

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), in a ratio of about 3:1.{{Cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Seung-Joo |last2=Umano |first2=Katumi |last3=Shibamoto |first3=Takayuki |last4=Lee |first4=Kwang-Geun |date=2005 |title=Identification of Volatile Components in Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and Thyme Leaves (Thymus vulgaris L.) and Their Antioxidant Properties |journal=Food Chemistry |volume=91 |pages=131–137 |doi=10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.05.056}} Other constituents include: 1,8-cineole, eugenol, and myrcene, among others.{{Cite book |last=Eberhard Breitmaier |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9yrbR2WZ8bwC&pg=PA11 |title=Terpenes: Flavors, Fragrances, Pharmaca, Pheromones |date=22 September 2006 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-3-527-31786-8 |pages=11– |quote=Acyclic monoterpenoid trienes such as p-myrcene and configurational isomers of p- ocimene are found in the oils of basil (leaves of Ocimum basilicum, Labiatae), bay (leaves of Fimenta acris, Myrtaceae), hops (strobiles of Humulus lupulus, ... |access-date=2 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012210605/http://books.google.com/books?id=9yrbR2WZ8bwC&pg=PA11 |archive-date=12 October 2013 |url-status=live}} The clove scent of sweet basil is derived from eugenol.{{Cite book |last=Md Shahidul Islam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TCMnYLLb758C&pg=PA50 |title=Transient Receptor Potential Channels |date=4 February 2011 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-94-007-0265-3 |pages=50– |quote=Eugenol is a vanilloid contained in relatively high amounts in clove oil from Eugenia caryophyllata, as well as cinnamon leaf oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and oil from the clove basil Ocimum gratissimum. While eugenol is often referred to as ... |access-date=2 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012221020/http://books.google.com/books?id=TCMnYLLb758C&pg=PA50 |archive-date=12 October 2013 |url-status=live}} The aroma profile of basil includes 1,8-cineole{{Cite journal |last=Johnson |first=B. Christopher |display-authors=etal |date=1999 |title=Substantial UV-B-mediated induction of essential oils in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) |journal=Phytochemistry |volume=51 |issue=4 |pages=507–510 |doi=10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00767-5|bibcode=1999PChem..51..507J }}{{Cite journal |last1=Baritaux |first1=O. |last2=Richard |first2=H. |last3=Touche |first3=J. |last4=Derbesy |first4=M. |display-authors=etal |date=1992 |title=Effects of drying and storage of herbs and spices on the essential oil. Part I. Basil, Ocimum basilicum L. |journal=Flavour and Fragrance Journal |volume=7 |issue=5 |pages=267–271 |doi=10.1002/ffj.2730070507}} and methyl eugenol.{{Cite journal |last1=Miele |first1=Mariangela |last2=Dondero |first2=R |last3=Ciarallo |first3=G |last4=Mazzei |first4=M |display-authors=etal |date=2001 |title=Methyleugenol in Ocimum basilicum L. Cv. 'Genovese Gigante' |journal=Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry |volume=49 |issue=1 |pages=517–521 |doi=10.1021/jf000865w |pmid=11170620|bibcode=2001JAFC...49..517M }} In this species eugenol is synthesised from coniferyl acetate and NADPH.{{Cite journal |last1=Lin |first1=Jerry |last2=Massonnet |first2=Mélanie |last3=Cantu |first3=Dario |date=2019-07-01 |title=The genetic basis of grape and wine aroma |journal=Horticulture Research |publisher=Nature + Nanjing Agricultural University |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=1{{endash}}24 |doi=10.1038/s41438-019-0163-1 |issn=2052-7276 |pmc=6804543 |pmid=31645942|bibcode=2019HorR....6...81L }}

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){{Cite journal |last1=Fandohan |first1=P. |last2=Gnonlonfin |first2=B |last3=Laleye |first3=A |last4=Gbenou |first4=JD |last5=Darboux |first5=R |last6=Moudachirou |first6=M |display-authors=etal |date=2008 |title=Toxicity and gastric tolerance of essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum basilicum in Wistar rats |journal=Food and Chemical Toxicology |volume=46 |issue=7 |pages=2493–2497 |doi=10.1016/j.fct.2008.04.006 |pmid=18511170}}{{Cite journal |last1=Pessoa |first1=L. M. |last2=Morais |first2=SM |last3=Bevilaqua |first3=CM |last4=Luciano |first4=JH |date=2002 |title=Anthelmintic activity of essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. and eugenol against Haemonchus contortus |journal=Veterinary Parasitology |volume=109 |issue=1–2 |pages=59–63 |doi=10.1016/S0304-4017(02)00253-4 |pmid=12383625}}
• Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum, formerly known as O. sanctum){{Cite web |date=23 March 2012 |title=Ocimum tenuiflorum L., Synonyms |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-137105 |access-date=28 November 2019 |publisher=The Plant List, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Gardens}}

{{Further|List of basil cultivars}}

{{More citations needed section|date=February 2021}}

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.

File:Prem Tinsulanonda International School garden.jpg

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

• Anise basil, Licorice basil, or Persian basil (O. basilicum 'Liquorice')
• Cinnamon basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon')
• Dark opal basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal')
• Genovese basil or Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
• Greek basil (Ocimum basilicum var. minimum)
• Globe basil, dwarf basil, French basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Minimum'){{Cite web |title=Ocimum minimum information from NPGS/GRIN |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/~sbmljw/cgi-bin/taxon.pl?70463 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161135/http://www.ars-grin.gov/~sbmljw/cgi-bin/taxon.pl?70463 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |website=ars-grin.gov}}
• Lettuce leaf basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Crispum')
• Napolitano basil, also known as Napoletano basil, Neapolitan basil, Mammoth basil, Bolloso Napoletano basil, Napolitano Mammoth-Leafed basil, or Italian Large-Leaf basil (Ocimum basilicum)
• Purple basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Purpurescens')
• Rubin basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Rubin')
• Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum thyrsifolium)

• African blue basil (Ocimum basilicum × O. kilimandscharicum)
• Lemon basil (Ocimum basilicum × O. americanum){{Cite web |title=Ocimum africanum Lour. taxonomy detail from NPGS/GRIN |url=https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=463843 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913143509/https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=463843 |archive-date=13 September 2016 |website=ars-grin.gov}}{{Citation |title=Ocimum × africanum Lour. in 'The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species' |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-136798 |access-date=3 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218164414/http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-136798 |archive-date=18 February 2022}}
• Spice basil (Ocimum basilicum × O. americanum), which is sometimes sold as holy basil

The name "basil" comes from the Latin {{lang|la|basilius}}, and the Greek {{lang|el|βασιλικόν φυτόν}} ({{Transliteration|el|basilikón phytón}}), meaning "royal/kingly plant", possibly because the plant was believed to have been used in production of royal perfumes.{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Basil |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Basil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025133900/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=basil |archive-date=25 October 2012 |publisher=Etymology Online, Douglas Harper}} Basil is likewise sometimes referred to in French as {{lang|fr|"l'herbe royale"}} ('the royal herb').{{Cite book |last1=Anstice Carroll |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RNZGgvsspMUC&pg=PA16 |title=The Dictionary of Wholesome Foods: A Passionate A-to-Z Guide to the Earth's Healthy Offerings, with More Than 140 Delicious, Nutritious Recipes |last2=Embree De Persiis Vona |last3=Gianna De Persiis Vona |date=2006 |publisher=Da Capo Press |isbn=978-1-56924-395-4 |pages=16– |quote=The name "basil" comes from the Greek word for "king" – so greatly did the Greeks esteem this king of herbs. Herbe royale, the French respectfully call it. In Italy basil serves the goddess Love; a sprig of it worn by a suitor bespeaks his loving ... |access-date=2 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012212928/http://books.google.com/books?id=RNZGgvsspMUC&pg=PA16 |archive-date=12 October 2013 |url-status=live}} The Latin name has been confused with basilisk, as it was supposed to be an antidote to the basilisk's venom.

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.

{{More citations needed section|date=February 2021}}

Basil is sensitive to cold, with best growth in hot, dry conditions. Basil prefers high light conditions and grows best under full sun conditions. Increasing light intensity, particularly the photosynthetic photon flux density, can significantly enhance the plant'.s fresh weight, dry matter content, and height{{Cite journal |last=Larsen |first=Dorthe H. |last2=Woltering |first2=Ernst J. |last3=Nicole |first3=Celine C. S. |last4=Marcelis |first4=Leo F. M. |date=2020-12-04 |title=Response of Basil Growth and Morphology to Light Intensity and Spectrum in a Vertical Farm |url=https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.597906 |journal=Frontiers in Plant Science |volume=11 |doi=10.3389/fpls.2020.597906|doi-access=free |issn=1664-462X}}

However, due to its common use, 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 climates.{{Cite book |last1=Hiltunen |first1=Raimo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fLxiMFPvAfUC&q=basil+medicinal+uses&pg=PA56 |title=Basil: The Genus Ocimum |last2=Holm |first2=Yvonne |date=2003-09-02 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=9780203303771 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418170831/https://books.google.com/books?id=fLxiMFPvAfUC&pg=PA56&dq=basil+medicinal+uses&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZ16mPkq3TAhUl6YMKHZbTBsoQ6AEIJDAA#v=onepage&q=basil%20medicinal%20uses&f=false |archive-date=18 April 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}{{page needed|date=March 2022}}

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{{Cite web |last=Petetti |first=Silvia |date=2024-04-30 |title=Orto, ecco cosa piantare a maggio: saranno tra gli alimenti estivi più buoni |url=https://www.biopianeta.it/2024/04/orto-ecco-cosa-piantare-a-maggio-saranno-tra-gli-alimenti-estivi-piu-buoni/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Bio Pianeta |language=it-IT}} (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.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

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 cold drafts. A greenhouse 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. {{Nowrap|UV-B}} increases the volatiles in O. basilicum essential oil, which has not been reproducible in other plants, and so may be unique to the genus or even to this species.{{Cite journal |last1=Marondedze |first1=Claudius |last2=Liu |first2=Xinyun |last3=Huang |first3=Shihui |last4=Wong |first4=Cynthia |last5=Zhou |first5=Xuan |last6=Pan |first6=Xutong |last7=An |first7=Huiting |last8=Xu |first8=Nuo |last9=Tian |first9=Xuechen |last10=Wong |first10=Aloysius |date=2018-11-01 |title=Towards a tailored indoor horticulture: a functional genomics guided phenotypic approach |journal=Horticulture Research |publisher=Nature + Nanjing Agricultural University |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=1{{endash}}10 |doi=10.1038/s41438-018-0065-7 |issn=2052-7276 |pmc=6210194 |pmid=30393542|bibcode=2018HorR....5...68M }}

Basil prefers well-drained organic soils, as adequate oxygen availability in the root zone is essential for optimal plant growth. Poor soil drainage can lead to root hypoxia, which negatively affects overall plant development and essential oil yield.{{Cite journal |last=Khater |first=El-Sayed |last2=Bahnasawy |first2=Adel |last3=Abass |first3=Wael |last4=Morsy |first4=Osama |last5=El-Ghobashy |first5=Hossam |last6=Shaban |first6=Yousry |last7=Egela |first7=Mohsen |date=2021-06-17 |title=Production of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) under different soilless cultures |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-91986-7 |journal=Scientific Reports |language=en |volume=11 |issue=1 |doi=10.1038/s41598-021-91986-7 |issn=2045-2322 |pmc=8211801 |pmid=34140544}}

File:Xylocopa pubescens female with mite 1.JPG foraging]]

File:The Flowers of Italian Basil.jpg

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.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

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.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

The optimal germination temperature for basil seeds ranges between 34.5–39.0°C, while the base germination temperature lies between 9.8–13.2°C.{{cn|date=May 2025}} No significant variation in optimal germination temperature has been observed among different basil cultivars.{{Cite journal |last=Lange |first=Diana D. |last2=Cameron |first2=Arthur C. |date=1994-02-01 |title=Postharvest Shelf Life of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) |url=https://doi.org/10.21273/hortsci.29.2.102 |journal=HortScience |volume=29 |issue=2 |pages=102–103 |doi=10.21273/hortsci.29.2.102 |issn=0018-5345}} Prior to sowing, basil (Ocimum basilicum) seeds can be hydroprimed by soaking in water for 12 hours, which effectively enhances germination rates and seedling vigor.{{Cite journal |last=Noorhosseini |first=Seyyed Ali |last2=Jokar |first2=Nargesh Khatun |last3=Damalas |first3=Christos A. |date=2017-08-01 |title=Improving Seed Germination and Early Growth of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum) and Basil (Ocimum basilicum) with Hydro-priming |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-017-9728-0 |journal=Journal of Plant Growth Regulation |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=323–334 |doi=10.1007/s00344-017-9728-0 |issn=0721-7595}}

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is commonly propagated through cuttings. Compared to seed propagation, basil cuttings tend to result in earlier harvest and higher yield. The typical propagation method involves selecting healthy, non-lignified stem segments approximately 5–10 cm in length, preferably apical shoots that retain 2 to 5 leaves, which are then inserted into moist soil until root development occurs. After rooting, the plantlets are transplanted into the field.{{Cite journal |last=Haijie |first=D. |last2=Mengmeng |first2=G. |last3=Genhua |first3=N. |date=2018-09-01 |title=Are cuttings a viable alternative to seeds for sweet basil production? |url=https://doi.org/10.17660/actahortic.2018.1212.70 |journal=Acta Horticulturae |issue=1212 |pages=303–306 |doi=10.17660/actahortic.2018.1212.70 |issn=0567-7572}} Exposing basil cuttings to blue light significantly accelerates root formation, thereby shortening the growth period.{{Cite journal |last=Bai |first=Tuanhui |last2=Ma |first2=Ping |last3=Li |first3=Cuiying |last4=Yin |first4=Rong |last5=Ma |first5=Fengwang |date=2013-12-01 |title=Role of ascorbic acid in enhancing hypoxia tolerance in roots of sensitive and tolerant apple rootstocks |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S030442381300527X |journal=Scientia Horticulturae |language=en |volume=164 |pages=372–379 |doi=10.1016/j.scienta.2013.10.003|doi-access=free }}

Basil suffers from several plant pathogens that can ruin the crop and reduce yield. Fusarium wilt 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 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 2003.{{Cite journal |last1=Garibaldi |first1=A. |last2=Minuto |first2=A. |last3=Minuto |first3=G. |last4=Gullino |first4=M. L. |date=March 2004 |title=First Report of Downy Mildew on Basil ( Ocimum basilicum ) in Italy |journal=Plant Disease |volume=88 |issue=3 |pages=312 |doi=10.1094/PDIS.2004.88.3.312A |pmid=30812374 |doi-access=}} It was reported in the Florida in 2007 and by 2008 had spread along the eastern United States, reaching Canada.{{Cite journal |last1=Roberts |first1=P. D. |last2=Raid |first2=R. N. |last3=Harmon |first3=P. F. |last4=Jordan |first4=S. A. |last5=Palmateer |first5=A. J. |date=February 2009 |title=First Report of Downy Mildew Caused by a Peronospora sp. on Basil in Florida and the United States |journal=Plant Disease |volume=93 |issue=2 |pages=199 |doi=10.1094/PDIS-93-2-0199B |pmid=30764112 |doi-access=}}{{Cite journal |last1=Wick |first1=R. L. |last2=Brazee |first2=N. J. |date=March 2009 |title=First Report of Downy Mildew Caused by a Peronospora Species on Sweet Basil ( Ocimum basilicum ) in Massachusetts |journal=Plant Disease |volume=93 |issue=3 |pages=318 |doi=10.1094/PDIS-93-3-0318B |pmid=30764191 |doi-access=}} Basil cultivars resistant to P. belbahrii have been developed.{{cite web |url=https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/2020/02/21/basil-bounces-back-with-downy-mildew-resistant-cultivars/ |title=Maryland Grows Blog |date=21 February 2020 |access-date=29 September 2023}}

Non-pathogenic bacteria found on basil include Novosphingobium species.{{Cite journal |last1=Ceuppens |first1=Siele |last2=Delbeke |first2=Stefanie |last3=De Coninck |first3=Dieter |last4=Boussemaere |first4=Jolien |last5=Boon |first5=Nico |last6=Uyttendaele |first6=Mieke |date=21 August 2015 |title=Characterization of the Bacterial Community Naturally Present on Commercially Grown Basil Leaves: Evaluation of Sample Preparation Prior to Culture-Independent Techniques |journal=International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |volume=12 |issue=8 |pages=10171–10197 |doi=10.3390/ijerph120810171 |pmc=4555336 |pmid=26308033 |doi-access=free}}

{{nutritionalvalue | name=Basil, fresh | kJ=94| water=92.06 g | protein=3.15 g | fat=0.64 g | carbs=2.65 g | fiber=1.6 g | sugars=0.30 g | | calcium_mg=177 | iron_mg=3.17 | magnesium_mg=64 | phosphorus_mg=56 | potassium_mg=295 | sodium_mg=4 | zinc_mg=0.81 | copper_mg=0.385 | manganese_mg=1.148 | selenium_ug=0.3 | vitC_mg=18.0 | thiamin_mg=0.034 | riboflavin_mg=0.076 | niacin_mg=0.902 | pantothenic_mg=0.209 | vitB6_mg=0.155 | folate_ug=68 | choline_mg=11.4 | vitA_ug=264 | betacarotene_ug=3142 | vitE_mg=0.80 | vitK_ug=414.8 | opt1n=Betaine | opt1v=0.4 mg | source_usda=1 }}

File:Basilic-spice.jpg

{{Cookbook}}

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.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} It has a flavor resembling that of liquorice.{{Cite book |last=The Culinary Institute of America |author-link=The Culinary Institute of America |title=The Professional Chef |publisher=Wiley |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-470-42 135-2 |edition=9th |location=Hoboken, New Jersey |page=180}}

The most commonly used Mediterranean basil cultivars are "Genovese", "Purple Ruffles", "Mammoth", "Cinnamon", "Lemon", "Globe", and "African Blue".{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}} Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto, an Italian sauce with olive oil and basil as its primary ingredients, and is used in other sauces and salad dressings. 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.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} It sometimes used to infuse oils and vinegars.

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 {{lang|id|kemangi}} and served raw as an accompaniment to meat or fish.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

{{Main|Basil 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, the Iranian {{Transliteration|fa|sharbat-e-rihan}}, or {{lang|vi|hột é}}.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}} In Kashmir, the Ramadan fast is often broken with babre beole, a sharbat made with basil seeds.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-09 |title=Traditional Summer Drinks of India: Beat the Heat with Refreshing Recipes |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/278433/traditional-summer-drinks-of-india-how-to-make-refreshing-recipes/ |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=The Better India |language=en}}

Basil is used in folk medicine practices, such as those of Ayurveda or traditional Chinese medicine.{{Cite book |last1=Ambrose |first1=Dawn C. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wwLpDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 |title=Leafy Medicinal Herbs: Botany, Chemistry, Postharvest Technology and Uses |last2=Manickavasagan |first2=Annamalai |last3=Naik |first3=Ravindra |date=2016 |publisher=CABI |isbn=9781780645599 |pages=33–34}}

Studies of the essential oil have shown insecticidal and insect-repelling properties,{{Cite journal |vauthors=Dube S, Upadhhyay PD, Tripath SC |date=1989 |title=Antifungal, physicochemical, and insect-repelling activity of the essential oil of Ocimum basilicum |journal=Canadian Journal of Botany |volume=67 |issue=7 |pages=2085–2087 |doi=10.1139/b89-264|bibcode=1989CaJB...67.2085D }} including potential toxicity to mosquitos.{{Cite journal |last1=Maurya |first1=Prejwltta |last2=Sharma |first2=Preeti |last3=Mohan |first3=Lalit |last4=Batabyal |first4=Lata |last5=Srivastava |first5=C.N. |display-authors=etal |date=2009 |title=Evaluation of the toxicity of different phytoextracts of Ocimum basilicum against Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus |journal=Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=113–115 |doi=10.1016/j.aspen.2009.02.004|bibcode=2009JAsPE..12..113M }} 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 estragole, the amplitude reduction due to linalool, and the phase shortening due to both.{{Cite journal |last1=Regnault-Roger |first1=Catherine |last2=Vincent |first2=Charles |last3=Arnason |first3=John Thor |date=2012-01-07 |title=Essential Oils in Insect Control: Low-Risk Products in a High-Stakes World |journal=Annual Review of Entomology |publisher=Annual Reviews |volume=57 |issue=1 |pages=405–424 |doi=10.1146/annurev-ento-120710-100554 |issn=0066-4170 |pmid=21942843}}

Callosobruchus maculatus, a pest which affects cowpea, is repelled by the essential oil. The essential oil mixed with kaolin is both an adulticide and an ovicide, effective for three months against C. maculatus in cowpea. The thrips Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci are repelled by O. basilicum, making this useful as an insect repellent in other crops.{{Cite journal |last1=Kirk |first1=William D. J. |last2=de Kogel |first2=Willem Jan |last3=Koschier |first3=Elisabeth H. |last4=Teulon |first4=David A. J. |date=2021-01-07 |title=Semiochemicals for Thrips and Their Use in Pest Management |url=https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/7806/1/Kirk%20et%20al%20Ann%20Rev%20Ent%2066%20semiochemicals%202020%20jan%2013.docx |journal=Annual Review of Entomology |publisher=Annual Reviews |volume=66 |issue=1 |pages=101–119 |doi=10.1146/annurev-ento-022020-081531 |issn=0066-4170 |pmid=33417819 |s2cid=231304158|doi-access=free }} The pests Sitophilus oryzae, Stegobium paniceum, Tribolium castaneum, and Bruchus chinensis are evaluated by Deshpande et al. 1974 and '77.

The essential oil is found by Malik et al. 1987 and Sangwan et al. 1990 to be nematicidal against Tylenchulus semipenetrans, Meloidogyne javanica, Anguina tritici, and Heterodera cajani.{{Cite journal |last=Chitwood |first=David J. |date=2002 |title=Phytochemical Based Strategies for Nematode Control |journal=Annual Review of Phytopathology |publisher=Annual Reviews |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=221–249 |doi=10.1146/annurev.phyto.40.032602.130045 |issn=0066-4286 |pmid=12147760}}

The essential oil of the leaf and terminal shoot is effective against a large number of bacterial species including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pseudomonas spp.{{Cite journal |last1=Davidson |first1=P. Michael |last2=Critzer |first2=Faith J. |last3=Taylor |first3=T. Matthew |date=2013-02-28 |title=Naturally Occurring Antimicrobials for Minimally Processed Foods |journal=Annual Review of Food Science and Technology |publisher=Annual Reviews |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=163–190 |doi=10.1146/annurev-food-030212-182535 |issn=1941-1413 |pmid=23244398}} The essential oil of the leaf and terminal shoot is also effective against a large number of fungal species including Aspergillus spp., Candida spp., Mucor spp., and Geotrichum candidum.

File:WHH Isabella Pot of Basil DelArt.jpg

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.{{Cite book |last=Nelson-Shellenbarger |first=Robin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8kS1kIC1IhcC&pg=PT38 |title=Family Herbal Wellness |date=25 February 2013 |publisher=Booktango |isbn=978-1-4689-2481-7 |pages=38– |access-date=2 August 2013}}{{better source needed|reason=This is a book about herbalism and alternative medicine, not about ancient history.|date=March 2022}} However, Herbalist Nicholas Culpeper saw basil as a plant of dread and suspicion.{{why|date=March 2022}}{{Cite book |last=Bill Neal |title=Gardener's Latin |date=1992 |publisher=Robert Hale |isbn=0709051069 |location=London |page=16}}

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 {{Section link|Saint John's Eve|Portugal}}) and Saint Anthony of Padua.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Basil has religious significance in the Greek Orthodox Church, where it is used to sprinkle holy water.{{Cite web |title=Blessing of the Waters known as Agiasmos conducted by a Greek Orthodox priest |url=http://www.completely-crete.com/blessing-of-the-waters.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307021718/http://www.completely-crete.com/blessing-of-the-waters.html |archive-date=7 March 2012 |access-date=2012-09-10}} The Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Serbian Orthodox Church, Macedonian Orthodox Church and Romanian Orthodox Church use basil ({{langx|bg|босилек}}, {{Transliteration|bg|bosilek}}; {{langx|sr|босиљак}}, {{Transliteration|sr|bosiljak}}; {{langx|mk|босилек}}, {{Transliteration|mk|bosilek}}) to prepare holy water and pots of basil are often placed below church altars.{{Cite book |last=Mercia MacDermott |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gh4IE6toGJMC&pg=PA114 |title=Bulgarian Folk Customs |publisher=Jessica Kingsley Publishers |date=1998 |isbn=978-1-85302-485-6 |pages=114– |access-date=2 August 2013}} Some Greek Orthodox Christians avoid eating it due to its association with the legend of the Elevation of the Holy Cross.{{Cite book |title=The Complete Book of Greek Cooking |publisher=HarperPerennial |date=1991 |isbn=9780060921293 |pages=7}}

In Giovanni Boccaccio'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 to write his 1814 poem "Isabella, or the Pot of Basil", which was in turn the inspiration for two paintings of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood: John Everett Millais's Isabella in 1849 and in 1868 the Isabella and the Pot of Basil by William Holman Hunt.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

• List of basil cultivars

{{Reflist}}

• [http://libguides.nybg.org/basil/ Basil: Knowing and Growing from the New York Botanical Garden]

{{Herbs & spices}}

{{Transient receptor potential channel modulators}}

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