Basil

Presentation

Basil is an annual plant of the family Lamiaceae. Basil is grown as a condiment and aromatic. It is the basis of pesto, condiments emblematic of Italian cuisine.

Strong and brave as he likes, basil little fear pests and diseases. In addition, to keep away from basil insects friend makes a plant popular in garden. Plant it in a few feet near tomatoes, peppers and eggplants to protect them. There are many species of sizes, colors and smells different.





Main species
Small basil leaves, lemon flavor, current markets, and its intense fragrance is perfect for cooking (soup with pesto, sauces).

• Little Basil
• Basil Green End
• Basil Marseille
• Lemon basil leaf light green, almost yellow, advised to keep away mosquitoes. Also called "pesto" in the south, this species of basil is a bit more fragile (and therefore a little harder to grow) than the others because this species is more sensitive to sun and wind.

Basil with large leaves, the smell of jasmine, licorice and lemon, whose leaves can reach up to 10 cm.

• Big Green
• Basil lettuce, cultivar Valentino, height 50 cm, compact, very large leaves pale green, broad and blistered, very fragrant
• Basil leaves curled

Purple basil (leaves and purple flowers pale pink), the flexible sheets and decorative scented sweet and slightly peppery, used for salads.

Thai basil, leaves evoke both mint and cloves, and is used with seafood and exotic soups.

Holy basil, a species grown near Buddhist temples, including Thailand.

 

The planting and cultivation of basil
Growing basil requires a warm and sunny. It can also be grown in temperate countries, either in pots or in the ground with some caution. Growing basil requires five hours of sunlight daily. The basil plant is extremely sensitive to cold and not resist if the temperature drops below 10 ° C. It prefers a cool, well-drained and sheltered exposure. I
It should be prevented from flowering up to the leaves retain all their flavors, then pinch the ends of the stems when the flowers are formed. Propagation is by seed in spring when nighttime temperatures do not descend further below 5 degrees. But generally temperate climate, it is best done in greenhouses or in pots kept at a temperature of 20 ° C and then perform a transplant in the ground where the soil has warmed and frosts are not to be feared.

Medicinal
In brewing, the leaves are reputed to be sedative, diuretic and antispasmodic.
It is used against indigestion and as vermifuge.Il aids digestion, is slightly diuretic. Antispamodique.
He also attributed the virtues ant-inflammatory and antibacterial. It has soothing properties and fight against stress and anxiety.