herb
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
- National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - The Effect of Ocimum basilicum L. and Its Main Ingredients on Respiratory Disorders: An Experimental, Preclinical, and Clinical Review
- University of Illinois Extension - Herbs - Basil
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox - Basil
- Pennsylvania State University - PlantVillage - Basil
- Clemson University - Home and Garden Information Center - Basil
- Royal Horticultural Society - How to grow basil
- WebMD - Health Benefits of Basil
- CORE - Antimicrobial Activity of Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Extracts
- Utah State University - Yard and Garden Extension - Basil in the Garden
- University of Minnesota Extension - Growing basil in home gardens
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
- basil - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
- basil - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
printPrint
Please select which sections you would like to print:
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
- National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - The Effect of Ocimum basilicum L. and Its Main Ingredients on Respiratory Disorders: An Experimental, Preclinical, and Clinical Review
- University of Illinois Extension - Herbs - Basil
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox - Basil
- Pennsylvania State University - PlantVillage - Basil
- Clemson University - Home and Garden Information Center - Basil
- Royal Horticultural Society - How to grow basil
- WebMD - Health Benefits of Basil
- CORE - Antimicrobial Activity of Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Extracts
- Utah State University - Yard and Garden Extension - Basil in the Garden
- University of Minnesota Extension - Growing basil in home gardens
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
- basil - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
- basil - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
Also known as: Ocimum basilicum, sweet basil
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: •Article History
basil
See all media
Category:
- Also called:
- sweet basil
- Related Topics:
- spice and herb
- pesto
- herb
- Ocimum
See all related content →
basil, (Ocimum basilicum), annual herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae), grown for its aromatic leaves. Basil is likely native to India and is widely grown as a kitchen herb. The leaves are used fresh or dried to flavour meats, fish, salads, and sauces; basil tea is a stimulant.
Physical description
Basil leaves are glossy and oval-shaped, with smooth or slightly toothed edges that typically cup slightly; the leaves are arranged oppositely along the square stems. The small flowers are borne in terminal clusters and range in colour from white to magenta. The plant is extremely frost-sensitive and grows best in warm climates. Basil is susceptible to Fusarium wilt, blight, and downy mildew, especially when grown in humid conditions.
Britannica QuizWhat’s on the Menu? Vocabulary QuizThe essential oil content is 0.1 percent, the principal components of which are methyl chavicol and d-linalool.
Species
A number of varieties are used in commerce, including the small-leaf common basil, the larger leaf Italian basil, and the large lettuce-leaf basil. Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora) and the related holy basil (O. tenuiflorum) and lemon basil (O. ×citriodorum) are common in Asian cuisine. The dried large-leaf varieties have a fragrant aroma faintly reminiscent of anise and a warm, sweet, aromatic, mildly pungent flavour. The dried leaves of the common basil are less fragrant and more pungent in flavour.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.
