Latin names : Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum tenuiflorum French names : Basilic saint, Basilic sacré, Tulsi, Basilic tulsi Other English names : Holy Basil, Sacred Basil Extracted from : blossoms
To boost the energy if it begins to diminish, especially when the flu starts with deep fatigue.
Basil does to us what we already struggle to do with other people: give us a good image of ourselves.
Who has forgotten the benefits of the ego ? Basil reminds us that it has luminous aspects.
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The plant, its legends and its botany
This section deals with a botanical description and the legends and is common to both species.
So many of us, readers, have a basil plant on the windowsill or in the garden and often eat it in salad, pasta etc.. that describing the plant would be insulting. We could maybe encourage each other to just watch this leave on our plate (just wipe it a little, it's okay) and notice that its leaves bear small vesicles on both sides. Let's turn it around because it's true that you can see them more easily from below. They are filled with essential oil and give basil that particular taste when you chew it,whereas when you only lick it, there is far much less tasteful.
Basil is a little reigning king in the family of Lamiaceae(Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary etc..), all these plants that end up on our plates or in our closets as bottles of essential oil eventually.
It is a small plant, but it has a high opinion of itself. Its name comes from the Greek "basilikon" which means "royal". The Greek root of its scientific name is "ocis" (which means "quick, prompt") because it grows really fast if the conditions are favorable. "Tulsi" (Hindu name) means unique. Everything about him is clear with this.
Its large torso (look how bent the leaves are when it goes well!) does not prevent its fragility, however. Too much or not enough sun make it wither. Too much or not enough water and it withers too. What basil does, is not half done. Besides, when it begins to wither, it litteraly dies. On the hand, though, how fast can it grow when it goes well !
Mythology about basil is generally not about sweetness and it is always linked to strength and power. Long before being a small plant, "Basilik" was a dragon which caused death with a single glance. No, it surely does not do things half. He is put on the deads' chest to help them find the way. (There are many other essential oil here that one can put a drop of in order to find their way through life ... It could be even more interesting.) In fact (isn't it reassuring?!) , the Indians put a drop of basil oil on their chest to sleep well.
Probably not much more reassuring is the tradition of putting decapitated heads in jars to grow basil. Sicilian women used it in a more romantic way. They took their basil jars away from the edge of the windows
to let their fiancé know that it was all clear. India, where Gedane's oils come from, connects basil to Vishnu and Krishna. Krishna's lover, Tulsi, was turned into basil. Homer and the Greeks used to write "European" mythology largely inspired by that of the Indian subcontinent with semi-gods who are turned into plants by the gods whenever they are angry, jealous etc.. And the gods must always be somewhere between the leaves of the plant of which necklaces are made for
divine protection.
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Energetic properties
Makes one unique (in other people's eyes and also in one's own eyes) Instils strong confidence Stimulates in order to be more active and tonic. Reminds us that we have an ego. (Ego-booster!) Leads to meet oneself. Helps to bind again with instincts and pleasure Gives a better image of self. Protects from the outside world as a consequence of boosting the ego, conferring self-confidence and showing more power. Reduces the tendency to sacrifice oneself for others.
External use:provesslightlyto moderately dermocaustic. Keep out of reach of children. Children and pregnant women: no contraindication within physiological dosage.
Potential carcinogeneicity (cancer-risk) has recently been discussed. Results concern methylchavicol-ether. This molecule is not found significantly in Holy Basil but in Exotic Basil and is not carcinogene within that essential oil. So THERE IS NO DANGER. For further information, see the section "Contraindications and limitations of use" on the page of the Exotic Basil.
