Brilliant Basil

I grow many herbs in my garden, but one of favorites has to be basil.  One reason is that my grandpa's name was Basil, so to put it simply:  I will never, ever not love this herb. 

Don't even try to convince me otherwise.

But setting my emotional plant/human association/attachment syndromes aside, basil really is a remarkable plant. And it's one that every gardener should have growing in the garden.

Here's why:

• It's a natural pest deterrent in the garden.
• It's rumored to enhance production and flavor of tomatoes if grown together.
• It makes a nice addition to many recipes.
• It's an anti-stress agent.
• It has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• It is high in antioxidants.

Here's one of my basil plants growing next to my cherry tomatoes. This was at the end of the growing season, and the tomato vine was still producing steadily and deliciously.  And I will say that I've had less problems with pests on my tomatoes since I started growing these plants together.  I can't prove that the basil is the reason for this, but it's enough to convince me to keep planting this way.

Of course, I don't just grow basil by my tomatoes.  I have this heat-loving plant planted everywhere in my yard, garden, and greenhouse, and even around my animal pens!  I love to brush up against it as I pass by, because the invigorating aroma that's released lingers on my clothes for quite a while. 

It's that sweet, pungent aroma exuding from the plant that provides the clues to it's usefulness.  The aroma comes from the essential oils present in every part of this plant, and those oils are what protect the plant itself from pests and bacteria that might otherwise take a hankering to attack. 

Those very oils are what makes the plant so precious to us, too.

Researchers say the aroma of basil can decrease stress by calming the mind and stimulating alertness.  I like to take advantage of this feature by clipping a few sprigs of basil, boiling them down in water, and adding the resulting hydrasol-mix to a spray bottle.  Then I have a refreshing facial mist that I keep stored in the refrigerator for emergencies...

Like when the pig gets loose.  And believe me, I use it.  On me, not the pig.

I also use basil leaves, flowers, seeds, and stems in any recipe that involves herbs, which is just about everything I cook--with the exception of dessert.  I like to toss a few leaves in my garden smoothie in the mornings, too.  But if smoothies aren't your thing, you can always tap into your inner-Italian and mix up a batch of pesto, or a pot of spaghetti, or a pan of lasagne...

Basil will jazz up any old recipe, and the health benefits are pretty snazzy, too. 

The antibacterial properties are said to inhibit bacteria (even bacterias that are resistant to some drugs), and the anti-inflammatory component has the same effect as the one found in ibuprofen.  Plus, the antioxidants present in the plant help protect our cell walls from attack--even fighting off radiation damage.

That's enough to convince me that this is one super-food that I definitely want coursing through my body...and growing in my garden!

So from my inner-Italian to yours...
Buon appetito!