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The name "basil" comes from the Latin basilius, and the Greek βασιλικόν φυτόν (basilikón phytón), meaning "royal/kingly plant", possibly because the plant was believed to have been used in production of royal perfumes. [21] Basil is likewise sometimes referred to in French as "l'herbe royale" ('the royal herb'). [22]
Ocimum tenuiflorum, commonly known as holy basil, tulasi or tulsi (from Sanskrit), is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. [2] [3] It is widely cultivated throughout the Southeast Asian tropics. [1] [4] [5] It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia and the western Pacific. [1]
Basil cultivars vary in several ways. Visually, the size and shape of the leaves varies greatly, from the large lettuce-like leaves of the Mammoth basil and Lettuce leaf basil to the tiny leaves of the Dwarf bush basil. More practically, the fragrance of the basil varies due to the varying types and quantities of essential oils contained in the ...
Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora) is a common ingredient in Thai cuisine, with a strong flavour similar to aniseed, used to flavour Thai curries and stir-fries. [citation needed] Lemon basil (Ocimum × citriodorum) is a hybrid between O. americanum and O. basilicum. It is noted for its lemon flavour and used in cooking. [citation needed]
The Greek basil and various other basils have such different scents because the herb has a number of different essential oils in different proportions for various cultivars. [4] The essential oil from European basil contains high concentrations of linalool and methyl chavicol (estragole), in a ratio of about 3:1.
Ocimum gratissimum, also known as clove basil, African basil, [1] and in Hawaii as wild basil, [2] is a species of basil. It is native to Africa , Madagascar , southern Asia , and the Bismarck Archipelago , and naturalized in Polynesia , Hawaii, Mexico , Panama , West Indies , Brazil , and Bolivia .
Basil seed (Ocimum basilicum or Ocimum tenuiflorum, aka Ocimum sanctum) is the general term used to refer to the seeds of a few species of herb plants (basil). Generally, these seeds are small, black with a mild, nutty flavor and gel-like texture when soaked in water for 15 minutes.
Lemon basil, hoary basil, [2] Thai lemon basil, [3] or Lao basil, [4] (Ocimum × africanum) is a hybrid between basil (Ocimum basilicum) and American basil (Ocimum americanum). [5] [6] [7] The herb is grown primarily in northeastern Africa and southern Asia for its fragrant lemon scent, and is used in cooking.