Basil’s Energetic And Healing Properties
“Where basil grows, no evil goes.”
— Italian adage
A little lore
In ancient Rome, basil was deeply tied to love and death. A pot of basil on a window sill was sign from a woman that she was ready to receive her lover. In The Decameron, Giovanni Boccaccio wrote of the tragedy of Isabella and Lorenzo, whose love was torn apart when Lorenezo is murdered. The tale inspired poems and paintings where a woeful Isabella mourns over her pot of basil.
Nicholas Culpepper noted that basil is “an Herb of Mars, and under the Scorpion, and therefore call Basilicon,” relating it the masculine energies of Kings, Mars and the basilisk.
It was used in foods, baths and rituals to cure Kings, and cast spells, to ward off evil and vermin. Potent stuff here.
While I wouldn’t take a pot of basil as an invitation these days, or that drinking a cup of basil tea will give you the gift of flight, learning herbal history and lore is a window into the old traditions. I find it both insightful and entertaining. Our love of basil continues. It is an essential herb in many kitchen around the world.
Beautiful, bright basil.
A little history
Basil is believed to have originated in India, perhaps even further east, as it appears in records dating back to 807 A.D. in the Hunan region of China.
Ocimum basilicum, or sweet basil is a member of the large mint (Lamiaceae) family along with thyme, rosemary, sage and lavender. There are dozens of varieties and unique flavors including Genovese basil, lemon basil, cinnamon, and Tai basil.
Western nutritional highlights
Nutritionally, basil isn’t a powerhouse of protein and vitamins. It’s the energetic nature of sage that makes it so invaluable. Basil is antibiotic, antifungal, antispasmodic, expectorant, relaxant and stimulating at the same time. It is an adaptogen, and an overall tonic.
Basil’s Eastern nutritional energetics and healing properties
Energetically, basil is slightly pungent, bitter, sweet, warm, drying and relaxing. Basil is slightly astringing, both relaxes and stimulates. It enters the Kidneys and Lungs. It helps treat Xiao Yang Patterns - those pesky half interior, half exterior patterns caused by latent viruses and Gu syndromes.
Opens the Lungs and chest, resolves phlegm — Basil is an expectorant and will loosen coughs and resolve phlegm. Use with any lung congestion and phlegm whether acute or chronic — colds, allergies, bronchitis, viruses, cough, Covid, cough related to GERD or acid reflux, smoker’s cough. It is particularly helpful in the treatment of all asthma conditions and any wheezing or tight coughing pattern. It is useful in all sinus and throat patterns including loss of sense of smell, and chronic sinusitis.
Warms the Middle Burner and stimulates digestion — Use for lack of appetite, indigestion, epigastric pain, gas, bloating, hiccups, vomiting, colic, and gastric ulcers.
Sharpens the mind, and lifts depression — Basil stimulates and helps to protect your brilliant brain. It is beneficial in treatment of depression, brain fog, mental fatigue and stupor, memory issues, confusion, shock and coma.
Lifts Yang and supports the Kidneys — Use when there is extreme fatigue, fainting, or coma. Basil regulates and restores the adrenals and pituitary.
Regulates the menses and increases fertility— Basil helps warm and regulate the menstrual cycle, treats low back pain and scanty menses and increases libido. Ah, beautiful nuances. If we compare basil to sage, basil is more Kidney Yang stimulating (libido, heat, drive) whereas sage increases Kidney Yin (it influences estrogen more).
Strengthens the immune system — Anti-fungal, and antibiotic basil helps to rally the Wei Qi (immune system) to fend off colds and flu. I use small amounts of sage in tea for children who are very weak to enhance and strengthen them.
Repels pests, counters poison and infection —Beautiful basil is a fortress or barrier herb. Herbalists and gardeners plant basil and other strong perennial aromatics like mints, rosemary, sage and thyme to protect delicate food crops such as tomatoes and our homes from pests. They have a similar function in the body — basil is antibacterial, anti-fungal and helps prevent and treat viruses — it’s a vermicide. Plant them near your house where pests may try to invite themselves in.
Basil will not survive a frost, so bring it indoors or protect it during the coldest months.
Contraindications for basil?
None noted.
Ways to use basil
Peach caprese - tomatoes, peaches, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with olive oil and Balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Perfect on a hot summer day.
Drink it — Add basil into teas, especially for digestive deficiencies and colic.
Eat it — Pestos, caprese salads, use it as a garnish on pastas, soups, salads, and dips…so many ways to toss it into your diet. Freeze some as pesto for easy use.
Add sit to butter — For basting fish or serving over warm grains or pasta.
Chew fresh leaves — To treat mouth ulcers and sore gums.
Use it as a poultices — Over bee stings and bug bites.
Be well,
April
