Beautiful day for all my family Steemians and all the community of @steemchurch, today in #celestialchallenge initiative created by @sirknight I want to share with you in the theme of today's Saturday-Agriculture".
Basil, Ocimum basilicum, is an aromatic plant native to India where, being the Greeks who introduced the spice in Europe more than 2,000 years ago.
It is an aromatic plant of annual cultivation and average size belonging to the family of the Labiadas, of great abundance in the Mediterranean coast.
Its beautiful size reaches the meter in height with multiple straight stems overflowing with large leaves about 5 cm long, elongated shape topped by jagged edges, velvety touch, a glossy green hue somewhat darker on the underside and giving off a intense aroma.
Its flowers are born in groups of 6 in the shape of a spike, tubular appearance, white or pink and up to 1 cm of corolla.
Its cultivation
It grows preferably in warm climates, since it does not survive frost, being grown exclusively by seeds that are initially planted in the greenhouse from early spring to late summer.
Its ideal habitat is fertile soils, not very compact and humid, with direct sunlight in winter and some shade in the hottest seasons, thus avoiding the yellowing of its leaves.
The plant leaves are collected primarily before they bloom and reach their maximum size, the most tender being the ones that offer the greatest smell, although their roots are also used to make some preparations. If you cut your stems before flowering can become a perennial.
It is prolific in varieties, identifying more than 40 types.
The most used in Europe are
The Genoese basil, with small leaves and very perfumed, the most used in the kitchen.
The Genoese giant basil is native to Asia and it is estimated that the first specimens grew in India and Iran. However, it has been an aromatic plant used in ancient times by the civilizations that inhabited the Mediterranean area.
Neapolitan basil with large, delicate leaves with mint aromas.
The thin green compact basil, of small size.
The mammouth basil with very long leaves and used for dry packaging.
The Genoese basil. The Genovese is the most used in Italian cuisine. ...
Thai basil (or thai) Thai basil works just as well with spicy dishes as with desserts.
The purple basil.
Other varieties
The basil of red leaves dentelladas and present leaves with red tones.
The decorative opal basil.
The purple basil or tulsi (Ocimun sanctum or tenuiflorum) that is used in some Hindu religious ceremonies and in the gastronomy of Southeast Asia, for example for curry.
The types grown in Asia
They present more intense flavors similar to the clove as a popular application very extended is to place pots or clumps of basil in orchards and terraces as an insecticide, since its intense and sweet smell repels insects.
It is an annual aromatic herb native to Iran, India and other tropical regions of Asia. It is of low growth and its leaves are of a lustrous green, oval or ovate, dentate and of silky texture. This plant station so you have to plant it every year since it is grown exclusively by seeds. It is very sensitive to frost and needs a sunny position, although in climates of very hot summers it appreciates some shade and humid soils. Most of the different varieties of basil grown in many regions of Asia have a taste similar to cloves that are stronger than those of European varieties. It is also frequently used in Mediterranean cuisine; It can be consumed fresh or dry to garnish salads, vegetable soups, stews of all kinds of meat and sauces to accompany pasta dishes, the famous pesto sauce is the main ingredient.
Medical uses
It is beneficial in cases of insomnia and anxiety
- Activates bowel function
- Combats physical and mental fatigue
- Helps eliminate stones or kidney stones
- It favors the good digestion of food
- Avoid muscle weakness
- Reduces stomach upset and vomiting
- Improves respiratory tract conditions
- Repels mosquitoes
- Activates the immune system
- Reduces anxiety
- Stimulates the production of breast milk
- Combat premature aging
- Improves the health of the arteries
- Relieves irritated nipples
- Reduces inflammation
- Eliminates or mitigates headache or headache
- It is very effective for laryngitis and pharyngitis
- Used for ear pain
- Accelerates the recovery of colds
- Calm cough
- Strengthens hair and prevents its fall
- It is used for inflammation of the urinary tract
- Helps to heal wounds
The properties of basil focus on its leaves, which can be used in infusion from the dry or fresh plant, and in its flowers that concentrate much of the essential oil.
This distilled liquid of basil is rich in methylcavicol, linalool, eugenol, cineole and also contains saponins, which gives the plant various internal properties such as digestive, antispasmodic, against gases, sedatives or against malnutrition, having to control the applied dose to avoid the narcotic effects it produces.
In addition externally it is used as an analgesic or soothing for muscle treatment and as an antiseptic, it also contains tannins, organic acids, mineral salts and vitamins that justify its food consumption.
In ancient times the basil root was used during childbirth due to its soothing properties to mitigate the pains.
Basil is also used to alleviate some health related disorders, it is known that aromatic giant basil is effective for digestion by avoiding gas and cramping.
Agricultural uses
There are research institutes that have developed a natural insecticide derived from the essential oils of basil, coriander and alcarabea, lethal for rice weevils, as well as being considered harmless to humans and the environment due to their volatility.
Collection and conservation
The collection of the leaves and flowers takes place from the end of spring until the end of summer, proceeding to its treatment for dry packing, extracting the essential oil of basil or consuming the fresh leaves. In the first case, after washing the leaves, they are dried by placing them in an aerated, dry place away from the light, for once sliced, packed in hermetic glass or ceramic containers where they will preserve their almost intact aroma for several years.
In obtaining the oil, both leaves and flowers are used, which, once distilled into steam, produce the essence, the quantity and quality of which will vary according to the type of basil treated or its origin.
The commercialization
The fresh basil leaves are made through the shops or fruit and vegetable sections, in many cases it is presented vacuum packed in plastic bags to improve its conservation.
Once home, the basil will stay fresh for 2-3 days. It should be kept in a cool place, in an airtight container and out of direct sunlight, although a good option is to chop the green leaves, keeping them in the freezer for fresh consumption. any time of the year.
Production area
Originally from Asia, the cultivation of the basil plant as a culinary herb developed from the seventeenth century in the south of France, being also frequent in Morocco, Madagascar and Reunion Island. Currently the main producing and exporting countries of basil are Spain, Italy, France, Egypt and Mexico.
In the Region of Murcia is grown in areas with abundant water, mainly in gardens and gardens for domestic consumption or use as a decorative plant.
Family and origin
Genovese giant basil is the spoiled child of basil, the most used, the most famous. It is the variety of basil that you usually find in the market and use in the kitchen. It is an aromatic herb that belongs to the family of the lamiaceae and its scientific name is Ocimum basilicum, although it is popularly known as basil or alhábega.
If you want to cultivate it, luck is on your side because it is an easy grass and without laps with the only condition of needing a sunny place and a somewhat warm environment because it is a plant sensitive to frost.
Curiosities
The uses of Genoese giant basil are varied, it is used in the liquor store and cosmetics industry but also as a buccal product. However, it is in the kitchen where you feel most comfortable.
The funny thing is that if we travel to the past we will discover that for a long time it was considered a dangerous plant: for the Greeks it was a symbol of hatred, misfortune and poverty; in certain regions of Europe it was associated with Satan, in other cases it was thought to be poisonous. Fortunately, basil had its revenge and today in Italy is a symbol of love. And not only that, the inhabitants of some cultures of the Caribbean believe that it has natural powers and drives away bad influences while in Mexico it is used to attract fortune.
Much more earthy, this herb has been one of the main ingredients of the Mediterranean recipe book, a great resource for making aromatic dishes (stews, vegetable soups, salads, pasta, pizza, chickens, etc.) and also to alleviate disorders associated with digestion .
Basil is a plant widely used in kitchens around the world and there are many different classes.
On the other, there are acidic basil such as Citrus, widely used in salads and fish for its lemon flavor. In addition, there are types of this plant with an adulterated flavor such as Canela.
Finally, we can not forget the Common Basil, which is the most used and the Crespa, which is the same but with larger leaves, or the small leaf.
And for those who love cooking, here are recipes with basil. Enjoy them!
Medicinal properties of basil, Ocimum basilicum. This medicinal and aromatic plant has antispasmodic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, stimulant, sedative, galactogenic and bacic properties. It has essential oils (such as cineol, estragole or eugenol), tannins, flavonoids and antioxidants.
Genesis 1: 29-30 - And God said: Behold, I have given you every plant that gives seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree that has fruit that gives seed; this will serve as food.
For more information, check his blog:
https://steemit.com/celestialchallenge/@sirknight/sirknight-s-daily-celestial-challenge-new-for-all-steemians
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Great job... It is also my hobby
Thanks as you comment, I love that kind of plants and other
I like your publication, it is a very important plant for health.
It is very easy to plant, thanks.