Basil (Ocimum basilicum) the king of herbs has a strong dominant flavour, which is even capable of overshadowing garlic.
It adds a sweet taste to Italian dishes and is especially popular when used in combination with tomato.
Basil is a good fly repellent and is a great companion plant to tomatoes as it helps to keep fruit fly at bay.
Basil adds micro-organisms to the soil and improves the tomato crop.
Basil is often grown in pots and brought indoors because of its fly repellent reputation.
Try adding a few sprays of basil into your floral arrangements to repel flies.
Basil is quite hardy but will need careful watering in extreme heat, as it is prone to wilting.
Slugs and snails can also be a problem for your basil plants.
Basil is native to India where it is considered a holy herb.
The Hindus believe it is lucky to build a home where basil has been grown.
It is very unlucky to destroy the herb.
It is forbidden to pick the plant unless the purpose is worthy and a prayer is said.
In Crete, the plant is associated with the devil and all his evil while in Western Europe it is supposed to be powerful against witchcraft.
Basil has also been associated with death.
The Italians believe Basil is the herb of fidelity.
Basil is mostly used as a culinary herb but Basil leaves have been dried and used as a form of snuff to relieve headaches and a tonic made from red wine steeped leaves is said to aid digestion.
It adds a sweet taste to Italian dishes and is especially popular when used in combination with tomato.
Basil is a good fly repellent and is a great companion plant to tomatoes as it helps to keep fruit fly at bay.
Basil adds micro-organisms to the soil and improves the tomato crop.
Basil is often grown in pots and brought indoors because of its fly repellent reputation.
Try adding a few sprays of basil into your floral arrangements to repel flies.
Basil is quite hardy but will need careful watering in extreme heat, as it is prone to wilting.
Slugs and snails can also be a problem for your basil plants.
Basil is native to India where it is considered a holy herb.
The Hindus believe it is lucky to build a home where basil has been grown.
It is very unlucky to destroy the herb.
It is forbidden to pick the plant unless the purpose is worthy and a prayer is said.
In Crete, the plant is associated with the devil and all his evil while in Western Europe it is supposed to be powerful against witchcraft.
Basil has also been associated with death.
The Italians believe Basil is the herb of fidelity.
Basil is mostly used as a culinary herb but Basil leaves have been dried and used as a form of snuff to relieve headaches and a tonic made from red wine steeped leaves is said to aid digestion.
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