Basil
Ocimum basilicumThe Western name comes from the Greek basilikon, “royal herb”; the Turkish name reyhan comes from the Arabic for “fragrant plant”.
What is Basil?
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a plant of the Lamiaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean, Asia and Siberia. Part used: leaf, flowering tops.
What is Basil used for?
Traditional use: Grown in pots on windowsills and by doors; its scent is believed to keep flies away, and in folk songs it stands for the beloved. Scientific evidence: traditional. Antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have been shown in lab and animal studies.
Is Basil safe?
Safety label: generally safe. Safe in food and tea. The essential oil and concentrated supplements contain estragole and should not be used in pregnancy, while breastfeeding or by children. The leaves are rich in vitamin K; people on warfarin should not suddenly eat large amounts.
Traditional use
Grown in pots on windowsills and by doors; its scent is believed to keep flies away, and in folk songs it stands for the beloved. In eastern Anatolia purple basil is made into a sherbet and a tea.
In Greek Orthodox churches holy water is sprinkled with a sprig of basil. In India, basil’s relative tulsi is a sacred plant.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Purple basil is a dark variety of the same species. Tulsi (holy basil, Ocimum tenuiflorum) is a different species with hairy, clove-scented leaves.
Preparation
Fresh leaves go into food and salads; for tea, a pinch of fresh or dried leaves is steeped for 5 minutes.
What science says
Antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have been shown in lab and animal studies. Good clinical studies in people are almost non-existent. Estragole in basil oil causes liver cancer in animals at high doses, so in Europe long-term use of the oil and concentrated products is discouraged; the amounts in food are not considered a problem.
Safety
Safe in food and tea. The essential oil and concentrated supplements contain estragole and should not be used in pregnancy, while breastfeeding or by children. The leaves are rich in vitamin K; people on warfarin should not suddenly eat large amounts.
Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchThe potential effects of Ocimum basilicum on health: a review of pharmacological and toxicological studies (2018)
- ResearchAlkenylbenzenes in Foods: Aspects Impeding the Evaluation of Adverse Health Effects (Foods 2021)
- BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Ocimum basilicum
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe