Growing basil isn't just for culinary use; basil is also grown and used for its medicinal and magical qualities.
In folklore many cultures regarded Basil as a love token and good medicine while other cultures associated Basil with hatred, misfortune, and bad medicine.
It was also associated with a reptile, whose breath and glance could kill, named basilisk.
Folk Names for Basil: Albahaca, American Dittany, St.
Joseph's Wort (not to be confused with St.
John's Wort), Witches Herb, Feslien, and Balanoi.
Basil is considered masculine; its planetary ruler is Mars and its elementary ruler is fire.
In magical potions and spells: It's used for exorcism, to attract love, to obtain wealth, protection, to strengthen the heart and mind, ensuring faithfulness in a mate.
It's also used for courage, fertility, and for flying.
Yes, the witches drank basil tea prior to flying.
Perhaps in today's economy everyone may want to carry basil leaves in their pockets to bring in money, attract wealth.
Growing basil in the garden was once used to keep goats off their property.
When my dairy goats would occasionally get in the garden, Basil was one of the first plants they ate with relish.
One time-honored tradition we still follow today is giving Basil as a house-warming gift as it brings good luck to a new home.
There are many Medicinal uses for Basil.
The leaves, seeds, and its essential oil are used and occasionally the root.
It's reported to contain a whole conglomerate of healingproperties including antiseptic, antidepressant, a carminative, stimulates the adrenal cortex, expectorant, soothes itching, prevents vomiting, and reduces a fever.
If you are outside, and the insects are bothering you, rub crushed leaves on your skin to repel insects and on insect bites to relief the itching and inflammation.
This does work I do it all summer long..
If you need a quick breath freshener, chew on a couple to leaves to freshen your breath.
It's important that you don't try using basil for any medical conditions without first consulting your physician or naturopath.
The flavor of basil seems to enhance almost everything it comes in contact with.
Try this old time-tested recipe for a true taste of Basil: Gramma Kate's Basil Almond Sandies 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (or 1 cup butter flavored Crisco) 1 egg 1 cup confectioners' sugar 1 ¾ cups all-purpose white flour, extra flour for rolling 1 ½ teaspoon almond extract 1/8 teaspoon salt ½ cup ground almonds 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil leaves 1 teaspoon orange zest 1 teaspoon lemon zest or 1 tablespoon lemon juice In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together.
Add the egg and then cream until smooth.
Add almond extract and mix well.
(These are the wet ingredients) In another bowl mix flour, basil, and salt with a fork.
(These are the dry ingredients) Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, a small amount at a time and mix well..
Stir in the ground almonds and zest and mix well.
Flour the counter or cutting board and roll out the dough and roll it into a roll or form the dough into a roll with your floured hands.
Make sure the roll is covered with flour.
Wrap the roll in Saran wrap and refrigerate for an hour or even over night.
When ready to bake, Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Take the roll of dough out of the Saran wrap and place on floured surface.
Slice the roll of dough into ¼ inch slices and place on greased cookie sheets.
Bake the cookies until brown, 8 to 12 minutes.
These are delicious with hot Rhubarb Sauce, Enjoy! Growing Basil has many possibilities with all of the varieties to select from and depending on how you want to use it.
Basil is what gives Homemade Pizza Sauce its wonderful flavor.
Check out the recipe for the family homemade Italian Pizza Sauce.
Scroll to the bottom of that page for the recipe.