Basil Herb Denton County Master Gardener Association Herb Team Shirlee Singer Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas cooperating. Basil Lore • Known as St. Josephs Wort • Native to Asia most especially India • The word Basil is Greek for King, thus “king of herbs”. • Basil is believed to have grown in the spot that Helena, mother of Constantine, found a piece of Christ’s Cross and is used in the preparation of holy water in the Greek Orthodox Churches. • English royalty used for baths and medicine. • In India it was used in courtrooms to have Indians swear their oaths upon. Basil in Other Countries • In Italy basil symbolizes love. An Italian suitor showed his love by wearing a sprig of basil in his hair to win his hearts desire. • In Mexico people would keep basil in their pockets in hopes that the man or woman that they loved would return their love forever. • In Romania, a man would give basil to his love and they would officially be engaged. • In legend, if you took basil every day it would ward off attacks from the fire-eating dragon or Basilisk (snake). 2000 Year Medical History in Many Countries • China • Treat Stomach, kidney & blood ailments • Europe • Treat colds, warts and intestinal worms • India • Recommended for snakebites, for chills, coughs, skin problems • Reported to kill bacteria on the skin. • Malaya • Soothe the stomach Health Benefits Today • Contains polyphenolic flavonoids: antioxidants that prevent cell damage. • Contains eugenol, citronellol, linalool, citral, limonene and terpineol: anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties • Contains high beta-carotene, vitamin A, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zea-xanthin, which act against oxygen-derived free radicals that play a role in aging. • Zea-xanthin filters harmful UV rays in the retina that helps protect against macular disease in the eye. • Excellent source of iron: A component of hemoglobin inside red blood cells. Health Benefits Today • Vitamin A is essential for vision, healthy mucus membranes and skin. • Basil is at the top of the list for foods with Vitamin K, which plays a role in blood clotting and bone strengthening. Supports nervous and immune systems. Keeps blood sugar stable. o Animal studies indicate basil stimulates the immune system by increasing production of disease fighting antibodies by 20%. • Basil is listed on the FDA’s GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) herb list. One Negative for Health • Basil also contains pro-cancer substances such as the chemical, estragole, which produced liver tumors in mice. • From Journal of National Cancer Institute. • The cancer risk remains unclear. Basil Scientific Classification • Kingdom: Plantae • Order: Lamiales • Family: Lamiaceae (Mint) • Genus: Ocimum • Species: (next slide) • Cultivars: Different Species & Hybrids • Ocimum Basilicum – Best known cultivars • Ocimum Americanum – Lemon and Lime Basil • Ocimum Sanctum or Tenuflorum –Holy Basil • Ocimum Citriodorum - Greek Column Basil and Thai Lemon Basil • Ocimum Gratissium – Clove Basil • Ocimum Minimum – Greek Bush Basil and Greek Spicy Globe Basil • Ocimum Kilimandscharicum x Basilicum –African Blue Basil (a sterile perennial hybrid w/ camphor scent). • Ocimum basilicum x americanum – Spice Basil sometimes sold as Holy Basil and Sweet Dani Basil, large-leafed green basil with lemon scent. Holy Basil Native to India • Ocimum tenuflorum • Hindus Tulasi, a plant sacred to Hindus in India. Types of Ocimum Bacilicum • Basil varieties come in shades of green, purple, and bronze. • Basil is a member of the mint family with distinct flavors of lemon, cinnamon, sweet basil (in Italian dishes), clove, and licorice. • Some basils are more ornamental than flavorful, with some more beautiful to look at than taste. • Go to Ramona’s Basil Garden to find 91 different varieties of basil pictured and briefly defined. • Go to John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds for a variety of herb seeds around $3.00 per packet of 300 seeds. Sweet Basil • Genus: Ocimum • Species: Basilicum • Cultivar: Sweet Basil • Grows in Sun & Part Sun • Annual Herb Plant • Well known Italian culinary herb • Grows 1–3 feet tall and 1–3 feet wide. • Grows in containers, beds or borders • Is deer resistant • Is easy to grow Genovese Basil • Genus: Ocimum • Species: basilicum • Cultivar: Genovese • Well-known as the pesto basil. Pesto is made from fresh basil leaves with virgin olive oil (not extra-virgin), pine nuts, garlic, and cheese (any variety of hard cheese). • It is also known as big leaf basil. • Grows 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Boxwood Basil • Ocimum basilicum ‘Boxwood’ • Grows only 6–12 inches tall • Big on Flavor • Excellent edging plant • Grows in pots and window boxes. • Can be shaped as a topiary. Cinnamon Basil • Cultivar: ‘Cinnamon’ • Grows 18 inches tall and wide. • Thrives in hot, sunny locations. • Has light purple flowers • Often used with sweet & sour sauces: orange- pineapple, cinnamon peach. • Complemented with cinnamon Greek Columnar Basil Pesto Perpetuo • Ocimum Citriodorum Cultivar: ‘Pesto Perpetuo’ • Is a non-blooming perennial in warm zones selected as the Plant of the Month by Jimmy Turner in the Dallas Arboretum Trials in February 2010. • Hardiness Zones: 9,10,11 • Spread: 1–2 feet • Height 2–3 feet • Variegated leaves Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil • Specie: Ocimum Basilicum Cultivar: ‘Mrs. Burns’ Lemon • An heirloom plant from New Mexico is the most popular lemon basil • Large 2½ inch leaves on plants that may be 18–24 inches tall and 12–24” wide. • Disease and pest resistant. • Produces small pink flowers. • Complemented with lemon juice and lemon flavorings in recipes. ‘Magical Michael’ Basil • Ocimum basilicum ‘Magical Michael’ • An unusually uniform plant that grows to 15–18 inches tall and 16– 24 inches wide. • Can be used in most basil dishes and as a garnish. Napolitano Basil • Ocimum basilicum ‘Napolitano’ • Grows 4 inch crinkled leaves on an 18 inch tall plant • All purpose basil with few pests. • Classic “taste of Italy” when preparing Italian dishes. Red Osmin Basil • Ocimum basilicum ‘Osmin’ Grows in partial shade. • Has glossy deep burgundy red basil medium size leaves. • Grows 24 inches tall. • Has a fruity aroma that lends pungent color to culinary creations. • Sweet mild flavor for salads Purple Ruffles Basil • Ocimum basilicum ‘Purple Ruffles’ • Does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come from true seed. • Anise-like flavor. • Perennial in a warm climate, but purple color is unstable — may revert to green leaves. Red Rubin Basil • Ocimum basilicum ‘Red Rubin’ • It is an improved variety of dark opal basil. • This basil variety has unusual reddish-purple leaves, and a stronger flavor than sweet basil. • It is most appealing for salads and garnishes. • Has a unique clove-like flavor. Propagating Basil • Choose a stem 4 inches long that has not flowered. Cut the stem off right below a leaf node – the point where a leaf adjoins the main stem. • Fill a clean glass jar with water and place it on the windowsill that gets bright light. • Remove leaves from the lower 2 inches of the basil stem. Then stick it into water. • Change the water every couple of days until roots form (2 to 4 weeks). Rooted Cutting • Transplant the basil into at least a 6-inch container when the roots grow to a few inches long. • Water the soil in and gently place the cutting in a pot or the garden. Sowing Seed indoors • Starting seeds indoors means earlier maturing plants and additional harvests. • Sow basil seed indoors 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting. Sowing in the garden requires soil temperatures above 65–70 F to germinate. • Use fluorescent light fixture. Place light fixtures on a chain 2 to 3 inches above the plants. • Set a timer so the seedlings will receive 16 hours of light daily. Indoor Seed Starts • Basil is sun loving, tolerates heat but will not tolerate cold. • To propagate seeds use plastic pots 1½ to 2 inches deep with drainage holes. Soilless Mix of Equal Parts Sphagnum Peat – Stable, long- lasting, well-aerated, and moisture-retentive, but low in nutrients. For lightweight, short-term mixes. Perlite is expanded volcanic rock granules. Sterile, inert, light, retains moisture but drains freely. or Vermiculite is expanded and air- blown mica. Acts similarly to perlite but holds more water and less air. Good Hygiene • Sterilize o Pots o Tools o Soil • Use distilled water • Damping Off — A water- and soil- borne fungus spreads rapidly in wet soil mix. Seedlings flop over, often with a brown shrunken ring at the stem base, and white fungus appears. Soil Preparation Place a layer up to 3 Place soil in a roasting bag, inches deep in a baking pierce the bag and heat on dish and bake in the full power in a microwave oven for 30 minutes at oven for 10 minutes. 400°F Note: Do not put soil with vermiculite or perlite in the microwave oven. They will start a fire. Planting & Growing • It is not necessary to cover the seeds with medium when they are sown indoors. (⅛ inch okay) • Tamp down to eliminate air pockets. • Water gently so the seeds don’t wash out of place. • Cover the container with plastic or put it in a transparent freezer bag. Growing Seedlings • Place the container in a warm spot 70°F, but do not allow the sunlight to hit the seeds or it can cook them in the plastic. • Check the seeds every day. Lighting • As soon as the first sprout of life is evident, remove the plastic cover and place the sprout 2–3 inches below lights for 16 hours a day. • The lights may be plant grow or regular fluorescent lights. • Don’t water the first day.