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What is it?

The leaves of the very familiar kitchen herb, Basil, without which any good pesto or pasta sauce would be mere shadows of their proper selves  There are many strains of Basil around the world but their similarities far outweigh their differences.

How has it been used?

Basil has historically been used to treat nervous irritability and to help with stomach cramps (it is still used for this in Chinese medicine). It also has a rich history of use to help increase the production of milk in nursing mothers.

In Thailand, amongst other places in the East, Basil is used as an antidote to the sluggish stupor of a hashish overdose and they also use it as part of the withdrawal from mind-altering and addictive drugs.

Recently there has been renewed scientific interest in Basil as investigation has shown that its essential oils (the ingredients that give Basil its distinctive scent) have exceptionally high antioxidant and antimicrobial actions.

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Personal experiences

In large doses Basil brings clarity to a clouded mind and in small doses it helps calmness and insight. These properties were well known to our ancestors and are why Basil has been so revered in spiritual traditions around the world.

Basil has been described as a 'wisdom remedy' . A herb that a healthy person may still take to assist them in their inner journey through life.

Basil combines perfectly with Wood Betony and Withania as a restorative tonic to the mind, brain and nervous system.

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Religious history of Basil

The religious history of Basil is quite remarkable. It was thought to be found around Christ’s tomb after his resurrection and many old churches including the Greek, Serbian, Bulgarian, Romanian and Macedonian Orthodox all use Basil to prepare their holy waters to this very day. Hinduism also reveres Basil (where it is called Tulsi) and it will always be found planted around their temples. It is an old tradition in India to place Basil in the mouth of the dying to ensure that they reach God. Likewise in some of the ancient civilisations of Greece and Egypt Basil was placed in the hands of the dead to ensure a safe journey in the afterlife.

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