Live Happier and Healthier - Reflections on the wonderful plant that is Basil.

Bright green, tall, and aromatic, Basil is definitely a beauty. An ancient plant with a long history and strange folklore, its sweet, peppery flavor has been used for centuries in cuisine and medicine.

Basil has been described as a digestive, explaining its effectiveness in relieving gas, colic, and nausea. It also has a long history of use for coughs associated with colds, and the leaves were routinely used topically as an insect repellent and poultice to relieve bug bites and stings.

Much myth and legend has surrounded this plant throughout time. The ancient Egyptians believed Basil would entice the god Osiris to open the gates of the afterlife. English folk magic invoked Basil to ward off harmful spells, while witches were said to ingest Basil juice before flying on their brooms. In the Caribbean and parts of Mexico, the heartbroken turned to Basil to return a lover's roving eye, while those looking for wealth used it to attract money. In Italy, women would put a sprig of Basil in their bras as an aphrodisiac fragrance.

Of course, today, Basil grows throughout the world. While it may have lost its magical mystery, it is a backyard herb that offers a wealth of benefit for health. To start, it contains vitamins A, B, C, and K, as well as iron, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

But basil's real healing comes from the powerful chemicals found in its leaves and flowers. Both basil leaves and flowers are antispasmodic, antiseptic, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory, making the herb a fantastic cold remedy. Basil also serves as an effective nervine, thanks to its calming and mildly antidepressant qualities. Basil helps the body defend itself against the harmful effects of stress, decreasing symptoms of anxiety and sleep difficulties. Both ingesting the leaves and utilizing the essential oil soothes nerves and uplifts the spirits, relieving intellectual fatigue and improving mental clarity. It has also been found to have properties to prevent tooth decay, leading to discussions as a possible supplement to promote oral health.

To grow basil, wait until the temperature outside is fairly warm; basil won't grow in cold temperatures. Basil enjoys moisture - if you live in a dry climate, mulch around the roots to boost water retention. To keep basil growing, remove flowers but don't discard them, as they are also fragrant and edible. Begin harvesting basil leaves when the plant is about six to eight inches tall. Keep harvesting to encourage growth and fullness. As cold weather approaches, take leaf cuttings to start indoor plants.

Basil is best used fresh as dehydrating it causes it to lose some of its flavor. If you need to store it, freeze it to keep the taste; refrigerating it will turn the leaves brown. You can chop basil and store the minced leave in ice cube trays and cover with olive oil. Of course, you can also dry basil. Cut longer stalks with the leaves attached and hang upside down in a warm place. Once dried, remove the leaves, crush them, and store in an air-tight glass bottle.

Basil-Infused Olive Oil

1/4 cup cut fresh basil leaves and flowers

1 cup olive oil

1.) Wash and pat dry basil leaves and flowers and let wilt for 12 hours or overnight.

2.) Cut into ribbons, removing tough stems.

3.) Place leaves, flowers, and oil in a double boiler and heat together on low, stirring occasionally for about an hour.

4.) Remove from heat and let infuse for another hour or until desired taste is reached.

5.) Strain through cheesecloth and bottle. Stored in the refrigerator, it should keep for about 6 months.

Basil First Aid Salve

1/2 cup basil-infused oil

1 Tbsp beeswax

Optional 3 drops of lavender oil and/or 3 drops of tea tree oil

Combine the basil oil and beeswax and heat together until melted in a double boiler. Remove from heat and add the essential oils. Pour into a glass jar; let cool before adding the lid.

Garden-fresh Vegan Cologne

4 Tbsp fresh tomato leaves, chopped

1 Tbsp fresh lemon zest

1 tsp fresh basil leaves

1 tsp fresh mint leaves

1 cup witch hazel

Place all of the fresh leaves and lemon zest inside a clean jar or bottle. Pour the witch hazel over; shake gently. Cove the bottle top and let it sit in a cool, dark spot for two weeks. Strain the liquid and discard any solids. Apply as you would any cologne product.

Enjoy!