Practical
Plants

Ocimum minimum

Bush Basil

an annual member of the Ocimum genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Ocimum
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.3 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves and flowers - raw or cooked[18][12][17]. Used as a flavouring or as a spinach[4][22], they are used especially with tomato dishes, pasta sauces, beans, peppers and aubergines[15]. The leaves are normally used fresh but can also be dried for winter use[12]. A very pleasant addition to salads[K], the leaves have a delightful scent of cloves[18]. A refreshing tea is made from the leaves[12]. The seed can be eaten on its own or added to bread dough as a flavouring[9]. When soaked in water it becomes mucilaginous and can be made into a refreshing beverage called 'sherbet tokhum' in the Mediterranean[9]. An essential oil obtained from the plant is used as a food flavouring in mustards, sauces, vinegars etc[21][2][9]

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Drink
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Bush basil has a milder action than sweet basil and is used mainly in the treatment of flatulence and griping pain in the digestive system[16]. The leaves and flowering tops are antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, galactogogue, stomachic and tonic[23][4][12][7][14]. They are taken internally in the treatment of feverish illnesses (especially colds and influenza), poor digestion, nausea, abdominal cramps, gastro-enteritis, migraine, insomnia, depression and exhaustion[15]. Externally, they are used to treat acne, loss of smell, insect stings, snake bites and skin infections[15]. The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and are used fresh or dried[15]. The seed is said to remove film and opacity from the eyes[14]. Extracts from the plant are bactericidal and are also effective against internal parasites[14][15]. The seeds are said to be a cure for warts[18]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Clearing'[13].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Warts

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil obtained from the whole plant is used as a food flavouring and in perfumery, dental applications etc[19][21][22][2][6][15]. An average yield of 1.5% essential oil is obtained from the flowering tops[23]. When applied to the skin it makes a good mosquito repellent[23]. The growing or dried plant is an effective insect repellent. It is a good plant to grow in the home, where it repels flies, or in the greenhouse where it can keep all manner of insect pests away from nearby plants[14, 20, K]. It has been used in the past as a strewing herb[11].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
Tropical Asia?
Habitat
Long cultivated, its original habitat is obscure[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 10+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow mid to late spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually free and quick, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If growing basil outdoors, plant out after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a rich light well-drained to dry soil[1][17][15]. Requires a sunny sheltered position if grown outdoors[20]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5 - 8[15]. Bush basil is commonly grown for its edible leaves in warm temperate and tropical climates. A perennial plant in the tropics, it is frost tender and is grown as a half-hardy annual in temperate zones[5]. It is a very good plant to grow in the house or greenhouse, its aromatic foliage helps reduce problems caused by insect pests[K]. It requires a good summer in Britain if it is to do well outdoors. This species is considered by some botanists to be no more than a form of O. basilicum[3]. Bush basil is a good companion plant for tomatoes but it grows badly with rue and sage[4][8][10][11]. When grown near raspberries it can retard their fruiting[11].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.

    ↩1↩2

  4. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x

    ↩

  6. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

  7. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  8. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩

  9. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩

  11. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  13. Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-9517723-0-9

    ↩

  14. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  16. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  17. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩1↩2

  18. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  19. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  20. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

    ↩

  21. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩1↩2

  22. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  23. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

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