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King of Herbs... In the Garden | Culinary | Fragrance | Medicinal use | Related articles Popular Garden Varieties
Sweet basil | 
Basil Genovee | 
Basil Red Rubin | 
Basil Red Ruffles | 
Basil Green Ruffles | 
Basil Thai Siam Queen | 
Lemon Basil | 
Basil Greek / Bush | 
Cinnamon Basil | |  Pink Perennial Basil | |
Related Articles Top In the GardenGrowth Characteristics: - Annual varieties:
- Sweet basil : The most popular variety to use fresh or in cooking, large green soft leaves,
- Basil Genovee : Large, soft, tasty leaves, that makes it ideal to use fresh in a variety of dishes,
- Opal Basil, Rubin : Large, dark purple leaves to use fresh or in cooking, lovely colour,
- Ruffles Green and Purple : Large, serrated leaves, interesting texture and colour for salads or garnishing,
- Thai Siam Queen : A neat, upright plant with medium sized leaves, beautiful clusters of purple flowers,
- Lemon : Basil with a hint of lemon,
- Greek and Bush basil : Small leaves with intense taste,
- Cinnamon : Basil with a warm cinnamon taste,
- Replant annual varieties every spring season,
- Frost sensitive,
- Height: up to 80cm, Spread: up to 50cm.
- Perennial varieties:
- Greek Columnar basil,
- Pink Perennial Basil,
- Needs protection during winter. Cover with frost cover or move to a more protected area if planted in a container. These varieties will give you basil flavour and fragrance in winter.
- Height: up to 1.5m, Spread: up to 1m.
Cultivation: - Full sun; Well drained, composted soil,
Harvesting: - Pick fresh leaves during the growing season,
- Remove the flower heads regularly to encourage leaf growth and a more compact, bushy plant,
Companion Planting: - Vegetables: Plant with Beans, Cabbage, Peppers, Summer Savory, Tomatoes,
- Plant with Fruit trees,
- Do not plant with: Rue,
Repellant for: - Aphids, Asparagus beetles, Flies, Mites, Tomato hornworms,
- Juice of basil leaves rubbed onto skin repels mosquitoes,
- Fly repellent. The Mexicans rub the leaves over horses and blankets to keep insects away, especially the perennial basil,
Top Culinary useUse fresh leaves and flowers with: - Avocado, Aubergines, Beans, Cabbage, Peppers, Salads, Tomatoes, Onion, Squash, Potato, Cucumber,
- Beef, Chicken, Fish, Lamb, Pork, Liver, Shellfish, Veal, Sausage,
- Cheese, Eggs, Omelets, Soufflés, Scrambled and Creamed eggs, Corn bread, Muffins, Stuffing,
- Asian dishes, Italian dishes, Mediterranean dishes,
- Salad dressings, Sauces, Pesto, Oils, Vinegars, Garnishing, Butters, Soups,
- Seeds soaked in water make a refreshing drink,
Curried Vegetables with Rice and Feta Top Fragrance - A restorative, warming, aromatic herb,
- Revitalize, use a fresh infusion for an invigorating bath, Allay mental fatigue,
- Oil used in perfumery, soaps, cosmetics,
- As a face steamer, basil is an astringent deep cleanser for oily skins,
- Potpourri,
Top Medicinal useBasil may be beneficial in the following cases: | Metabolism | - Lowers fever,
- Fatigue, Detoxifying,
- Steep a few leaves in wine for several hours as a tonic,
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| Nervous system | - Mild sedative action, Insomnia, Anxiety, Antidepressant properties,
- Headaches, Migraines,
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| Skin | - Acne, Skin infections,
- Antiseptic, Rub on insect bites, and stings to relieve itching,
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| Respiratory system | - Made into a cough syrup with honey and taken as an infusion for colds,
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| Digestive system | - Improves digestion,
- Nausea, Abdominal cramps, Gastoenteritis,
- Against Bacterial infections and intestinal parasites,
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Preparation: Tea : - 2 - 3 cups per day,
- Use fresh leaves as part of your meals,
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