History
The basil (Ocimum Basilicum) is a plant species native to India. It has since been naturalized and is cultivated in all tropical regions of the globe. Basil was introduced to the West Indies by Spanish settlers at an unknown date. It has since integrated the local cuisine and flavors of our dishes.
Going back to the history of basil, it combines a prestigious past with something sacred for different civilizations. Originally from India, basil arrived in the Middle East and it was Arab merchants who introduced it to Europeans at the end of the 15th century. It was at the beginning of the 16th century that it was introduced in France. Very quickly in Europe, it became a “royal herb”. Only the sovereign or certain religious dignitaries could pick it.
Basil was associated with life and especially death in Greek and Egyptian civilizations. In India, basil is sacred and dedicated to Vishnu and Krishna.
In the Bible, it is specified that it is the basil that grew around the tomb of Christ.
In Roman civilization, basil was the romantic plant par excellence. It is the one that the Romans offered to their brides. There are many legends about basil. The most amazing is the one that said that basil gave birth to scorpions. Indeed, it was enough to place a few basil leaves under a stone and a few days later, we found a scorpion instead. Also, dried basil leaves were taken to clear one's mind. This habit was controversial because it was thought that it could generate scorpions in the brain.
Today, it is found everywhere, in Creole gardens or quite simply along paths.
Varieties
There are many varieties of basil depending on where you are on the planet. The leaves, the aromas and the perfumes are different according to the species.
In Martinique, it is mainly the varieties of Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum minimum L..
Basil is a woody, aromatic herbaceous plant with branching stems 15 to 45 cm high. The plant is characterized by small denticulate, petiolate, oval or obovate leaves, cuneate at the base and acuminate at the top. The inflorescences are in terminal racemes, with whorled whitish flowers.
The two species found in Martinique Ocimum basilicum L. have long leaves of 2 to 5 cm and Ocimum minimum L. has small leaves of 1 to 2 cm and whose smell is sweeter.
Health benefits
The medicinal properties of basil are numerous. Moreover, the plant is also cultivated for this purpose. The ancients used basil for medicinal purposes, especially as an antispasmodic, antiepileptic and detoxifier.
In India, the Brahmans considered it a sacred plant that had the power to protect against snake bites.
Basil essence was definitively introduced into French pharmacopeia in 1975. It is also a plant in the Caribbean pharmacopeia.
It is used in our islands to refresh, either in herbal tea or in baths.
It is also a plant known for its antispasmodic, stimulating, sedative, stomachic and galactogenic properties (promotes the secretion of milk in breastfeeding women).
Basil can also be used in cases of gastrointestinal complaints, dyspepsia and constipation. The infusion of the leaves is recommended against headaches, insomnia, respiratory ailments, colds, flu and fever.
It also helps prevent vomiting, especially in pregnant women.
The powder of the leaves would be an excellent sneeze (causes sneezing), used in the case of Coryza.
Crumpled fresh leaves help soothe skin irritations, especially after insect bites. They were once used to repel mosquitoes.
Uses
Basil is an aromatic plant found in several local menus. It goes into the preparation of meat and fish sauces.
