Common name: Basil
Latin name: Ocimum basilicum
Element: Fire
Energy: Heating
Planets associated: Venus and Mars
Chakra: Heart (Maripura)
Parts of plant used: Leaves, stems, flowers
Day of the week: Tuesday (Mars) Friday (Venus)
Basil is a member of the large mint family. Lamiaceae family along with other herbs such as peppermint, lemon balm, rosemary, sage, lavender. All plants in the mint family have a square stalk. (There are many varieties of Basil)
Taste: Spicy
History and Lore: Dates back 5000 years starting its way from India to the Mediterranean. Many believe that Basil has an Italian history but it did not become popular in kitchens until the 1970s. It grows along the Mediterranean. Native to India, South East Asia and South Africa. It became the symbol of love in Italy and if a pot of basil was on the window it was a sign that a woman wanted to be married. The Greeks viewed Basil with suspicion naming it basilisk a deadly mythology creature then turned meaning into herb worthy of a king.
Why is Basil the symbol of love: One of the most powerful stories of Basil is the story of Isabetta and her lover Lorenzo.
The relationship between love and basil became so strong that young men would place sprigs of Basil in their hats if they were ready to meet a wife.
Magical Uses: Love, protection and wealth
Ways YOU can magically use Basil:
-The scent of basil causes sympathy between 2 people soothing tempers between lovers.
-Place fresh cut basil in a cup on your counter to keep evil spirts and negative entities away.
-Love Spell: Place 9 Basil seeds in a pot with soil, water them, talk to them, sing to them, tell them about your day, what makes you happy or sad, tell them your hopes and dreams. This shows Basil you have time to commit to a relationship and will assist in bringing you a lover.
-1 drop of Basil essential oil to diffuse tension after an argument
-To bring in abundance place one drop of Basil essential oil on a dollar bill and carry it in your wallet with you, or carry basil leaves in wallet or pocket
Properties: anti-bacterial (Kills bacteria), anti-spasmodic (Stops spasms in lungs during bronchial constriction, muscle cramps, menstrual cramps, stomach spasms, gas etc), anti-viral (assists in warding off viruses and to stop them from replicating), carminative (settles stomach and releases digestive enzymes to digest food), nervine (calms the nervous system), is used for people with loss of appetite, anti-inflammatory (used for rheumatoid arthritis and inflamed bowl conditions), diaphoretic (increases core temperature to break fever by opening skin pores to release heat
Basil can be used to soothe a fever, headache, sore throat, cold, cough and flu.
Basil is a great source of Vitamin K (blood clotting), manganese, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium and is a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids.
Basil also helps to slow the release of sugar in the blood helping with diabetes and used to stimulate digestive system as well as liver to increase metabolism and proper digestion of fats as well as keeping your liver healthy.
Basil essential oil: used to fight fatigue, disinfect air and open the up the lungs (Do not steam essential oil) add to olive oil and rub on chest to open up lungs, spirit lifting and antidepressant, release tension in body and mind, call love in.
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