Got Basil?
- essentiallymariah
- Aug 10, 2016
- 2 min read
Basil grows so fast! Seeds, soil, water, sunlight – bam! Huge basil plants!
Sweet Basil, Ocimum basilcum, is an herb high in vitamin A, C, K, B6, calcium, magnesium, & iron.(1) My fresh basil makes a delicious addition to any pesto, pizza, and salad I make for my family. I eat about 10 leaves of fresh basil with a tiny sprig of fresh rosemary on my salad with lunch or dinner after I run 4 or 5 miles. Its delicious and an awesome addition to many dishes.
I normally just use fresh basil while cooking, but in a pinch, you can use basil essential oil. As an essential oil, sweet basil is said to be helpful in restoring mental balance, clarity of mind, and focus, for people and for some animals.(2) I use ONE drop of basil essential oil to help flavor an entire pot of homemade spaghetti sauce, along with fresh oregano sprigs. Sometimes, I diffuse basil with rosemary to help me on those days when I need an herb-scented aromatic boost for mental clarity, usually 1-2 drops of each in 4 oz of water in my for just about 30 minutes. It’s a unique smell, but not one that I want to sniff for very long. One drop goes a long way.
And now…I’m off to add fresh basil from my urban garden to my gluten free pizza. If you’re in my neighborhood and need some fresh basil, just knock on the door. I’m happy to share!
Resources
(2) Bell, Kristen Leigh. Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of Essential Oils & Hydrosols with Animals. Findhorn Press, 2002. (pg 49)
(1) WebMD. Basil, Sweet. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-303-BASIL.aspx?activeIngredientId=303&activeIngredientName=BASIL (Retrieved 9 Aug 2016)
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