 |
The Apothecary: Basil
By Adam Kane |
 |
Basil has been one of the most
popular herbs in folklore. It was first used in India for religious
rites of the Hindu faith. It was sacred to all Hindu deities, but
particularly sacred to Krishna and Vishnu due to the belief that it
promoted fertility. Basil was also believed to help the soul proceed
onto its next stage of development. For this reason it was commonly used
as an incense in funeral rites and was planted on grave sites.
Basil was introduced into western Europe in the 1500s. It was during
this time that it received its English name derived from a mythical
beast known as a basilisk. The basil plant is still seen, by many, as
having a link to the basilisk, which is a form of dragon. Basil is said
to impart the knowledge, insight, and courage of the basilisk to those
who surround themselves in the smoke of basil incense during meditation.
The sweet aroma of the basil plant has led to a great deal of folklore
pertaining to its association with love and friendship. It has been said
that the scent of basil will lead to a reconciliation in an argument and
that a meal prepared with basil would bring closeness between the people
eating. Another belief is that if a sprig of basil is given to someone,
that the person would fall in love with them. Giving basil as a gift was
thought to bring love and luck to the household. If the floors were
sprinkled with basil, it was believed that no form of evil could enter.
Today, basil is commonly used in herbal remedies. It is taken in the
form of an infusion for both its aromatic and carminative abilities. The
term aromatic refers to an herb added to other herbal medicines to
enhance their taste and fragrance. A carminative aids in easing
abdominal problems; it will calm an upset stomach, relieve mild cramps
and tension, and also neutralize stomach gas. Hot basil tea is also a
wonderful way to calm your nerves and reduce stress related tension.
The essential oil of the plant is used externally. It can be applied to
cuts and scratches, as well as bug bites and stings to soothe them.
During the winter months basil is one of the best herbs to experiment
with because it is easy to find dried, or can be grown in a window box
inside. Indoors or out it takes up very little room to grow and fills
the area with a sweet aroma. |
 
|
|
