Ba·sil \ˈba-zəl, ˈbā-, -səl\
1: any of several aromatic herbs (genus Ocimum) of the mint family ; especially : sweet basil
2: the dried or fresh leaves of a basil used especially as a seasoning
Having a strong, pungent, sweet smell, Basil is used in everything from pasta to pesto and is best used fresh. It's season is summer and goes well with tomatoes, garlic, onions and olive oil. Good for adding extra flavor to almost any dish.
History
Native to India, basil has been revered by many cultures for many years, particularly ancient Greeks, who called it ‘royal’ as it is believed to have grown above the spot where St. Constantine and Helen discovered the Holy Cross. While used worldwide, basil is used abundantly in Mediterranean, Thai, Vietnamese and Laotian cooking.
Health Benefits
Basil is believed to work as an antiseptic in the body and can be used as a stomach aid. Just steep in boiling water for 10 minutes to make a calming tea for your tummy!