Rosemary has many medicinal uses

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), a native of the Mediterranean, is a woody shrub which can grow to a height of 1 m. It has short, tough leaves densely bunched on the stems, and pale blue flowers in winter. There are several cultivars including ‘Tuscan blue’ and ‘Blue lagoon’, which are dwarf forms with dark-blue flowers; ‘Roseus’ with pink flowers; ‘Albus’ with white flowers; ‘Aureus’, which has leaves speckled with yellow; and ‘Prostratus’, a prostrate form. Most rosemaries can be grown from seed sown in spring and all grow well from cuttings taken in spring or summer. Rosemary likes a sunny, well-drained position with a slightly alkaline soil. It can be slow growing at first, but will need to be pruned regularly after the first two years. The prostrate and dwarf varieties are excellent for rockeries or hanging baskets. Harvest rosemary whenever it is needed.

A clipped hedge of Tuscan Blue rosemary at Diggers in Dromana

Rosemary was revered in Ancient Greece and Rome where it had a reputation for strengthening memory and was a symbol of fidelity. During the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, rosemary was burnt to ward off ‘foul humours’ and contagious diseases, especially the plague. It was also believed that if rosemary were placed under your pillow ‘thou shalt be delivered of all evill dreames’. Sir Thomas More let it run wild in his garden ‘not only because the bees love it, but because the herb is sacred to remembrance, and therefore, to friendship’. In Australia, it is worn on Remembrance Day and Anzac Day to remember those lost in war. Cuttings taken from plants growing in Gallipoli have been grown into bushes in Australia and every year these are picked and sprigs given to those marching in the parade.

Medicinal remedies

Both the fresh and dried leaves can be made into a tea and drunk to sweeten the breath; as a tonic for the circulatory system; to ease the symptoms of colds or flu; to lift the spirits, lessen tension and alleviate mild depression; to ease indigestion and flatulence as well as headaches and migraine. If you regularly drink rosemary tea it stimulates blood flow to the brain and improves memory and concentration

Make an infused oil by placing about 200g of fresh rosemary into a heat resistant bowl or the top of a double boiler. Cover the rosemary with oil (almond, olive or sunflower) and place over or in saucepan of cold water. Slowly bring the water to the boil. Heat gently (it’s important the oil doesn’t boil) for 2-3 hours. Strain the oil through muslin, squeezing well and discard the rosemary into the compost. Pour into clean dark glass jars, seal and label with date and name. Store in a cool dark place.

Use this oil as a rub for sore muscles, sciatica and neuralgia. Rub it into the scalp and hair before washing to promote hair growth, add gloss and lessen dandruff. Rub it in wrap in a hot towel and leave for 10 minutes. Then wash. This is also particularly good for dry hair and scalp.The cooled tea made from the leaves can be used as a final hair rinse for the same purpose. Strong infused rosemary oil can help to get rid of lice and nits (add infused lavender, tea-tree and thyme oils for greater effect). Rub into the hair and scalp, leave over night and wash out in the morning.

Prostrate rosemary growing over a wall at Diggers in Dromana

The bright blue flowers of ‘Tuscan Blue’

Use the recipe above but add three crushed or finely chopped cloves of garlic to half a cup of infused rosemary oil. Leave to steep for an hour and then strain. Rub this into the scalp after dampening the hair and leave for about an hour. Rinse off and wash the hair. Kathy says, ‘The olive oil moisturises the scalp and the garlic and rosemary remove any dead skin. If the dandruff is quite bad I recommend you do this once a week’.

This recipe and much of the information in this article is from my book Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies, borrow it from your library, buy it from your local bookshop or go to our online store by clicking here

'Purple Ruffles' basil

Thai basil

'Green Ruffles' basil

Nothing can compare with the first fresh sprig of basil picked in spring and if you haven’t already planted your basil, now is the time to put it in. It’s hard to believe that such a deliciously aromatic herb could have such a contradictory lineage. Basil is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and Central and South America, but the main centre of diversity appears to be Africa. It has been cultivated for more than 4000 years. The sixteenth century English herbalist, John Gerard, believed that basil would stimulate the heart and ‘taketh away melancholy and maketh a man merry and glad’ but early Greek and Roman physicians said that it would only grow well if it were planted ‘amid vile shouts and curses’.  In the language of flowers, basil means hatred, but it can also signify goodness and love.
Basil also had the bizarre reputation of giving birth to scorpions. This conjures up images straight from Edward Lear’s nonsense botany but probably simply comes from the fact that basil was often grown in a pot and insects like scorpions often seek out the cool retreat found underneath a pot. Basil is a source of essential oils and aroma compounds, a culinary herb, and an attractive, fragrant ornamental. The seeds contain edible oils and a drying oil similar to linseed. Extracts of the plant are used in traditional medicines, and have been shown to contain biologically active constituents that will kill insects, fungi, microbes and nematodes.

Naming basil
The identification and botanical classification and naming of basil plants is a very confused area, made more so because of the plants polymorphic nature and cross-pollination resulting in large numbers of subspecies, varieties and forms. More than thirty different species of basil have been recorded over the years, as well as at least sixty different varieties and cultivars of sweet basil alone. Listed below are the species, varieties and cultivars most commonly available in Australia.

How to grow

Don't plant basil too early in cold regions

Basils are warm-climate annuals or short-lived perennials. In temperate regions, grow them from seed planted in containers protected from frost in early spring, or purchase plants in late spring. Basils do not thrive in temperate regions until it has really started to warm up in late spring or early summer. The mistake most commonly made in these regions is to plant basil into the garden too early in the season when the cold and damp quickly kills it. To protect young basil plants from unexpected cold snaps, cut the top and bottom from a plastic drink bottle and leave it around the plant until it is well established. In tropical regions, grow basil from seed or the perennial forms can be grown from tip cuttings taken in spring.

Basil grows best in well-drained, composty soil with plenty of added nutrients. The ideal place for smaller growing annual forms is in the vegetable garden near the tomatoes, as basil helps to keep tomato plants healthy and to repel pests. Perennial basils grow into medium sized bushes so need more room. In temperate regions, plant perennial basil in a sheltered warm spot where there is no chance of frost and preferably where they won’t get too wet during cold weather. Even with these precautions it is hard to keep them alive through the winter. It they do survive then cut back by about one third in early spring. In the tropics, cut them back in late autumn. Some suppliers are currently marketing a basil scented mint as perennial basil, check the botanical name and if it is Mentha rather than Ocimum then it is not a true basil and can’t be used in the same ways.

In temperate regions, all basils need to be grown in full sun, but in the tropics and sub-tropics they will tolerate shade for much of the day. Basil also needs moisture during hot weather and it will not tolerate frost. Protect young seedlings from slugs and snails. As annual plants begin to come into flower, nip out the buds to encourage more leaf growth but towards the end of summer let at least one plant go to seed and then collect the seed for next year’s crop. All basils grow well in pots but the dwarf varieties lend themselves particularly to pot culture where they are not only beautiful but also useful.

Basil helps to repel pests from vegetables

Pest-repellent
Since basil repels a range of problem insects, including flies and mosquitoes, a pot of basil can be moved around to wherever it is most needed. Italian fishermen and sailors often have a pot of basil growing in the wheelhouse or galley to keep problem pests away. Tests on sacred basil oil have shown it to have insecticidal activity and in Asia it is rubbed on the skin to repel mosquitoes. In the vegetable garden basil will help protect nearby plants of cabbages, beans and tomatoes and, if planted near cucurbits , will help prevent downy mildew.

Medicinal
Basil is used medicinally, usually made into a tea by pouring boiling water over the fresh leaves. A cup of this tea acts as a sedative and to cure nausea and stomach cramps. It also aids digestion and relieves constipation. Basil, rubbed on a sting or bite, reduces inflammation and pain and stops the itch.

The intensely purple pigmented basils are also a source of anthocyanins. The large leafed cultivars ‘Purple Ruffles’ and ‘Dark Opal’ had an average extractable total anthocyanin content of about 18 mg per 100 g fresh tissue. By comparison, purple grapes have around 25, purple plums about 16.
Anthocyanin pigments from fruits have been used to improve vision and treat circulatory disorders. They are also believed to be anti-inflammatory, beneficial for treating diabetes and ulcers and may have antiviral and antimicrobial activities. The chemical basis for these desirable properties is believed to be related to their antioxidant activity. Although the anthocyanins in basil have not yet been used in this way, the high levels in some cultivars suggest that this is possible for the future.

Basil oils
Basil is also a source of essential oils that are used in foods, flavourings , and fragrances (perfumes, soaps and shampoos) as well as confectionery products and the liqueur chartreuse. The various scents and flavours have been described as spicy, lemon, rose, camphor, licorice, woody, and fruity. The rich spicy pungent aroma of sweet basil is due to the presence the aroma compounds linalool, methylchavicol and cineole.

The predominant aroma compound in clove or tree basil is eugenol, in perennial or camphor basil it is camphor, in sacred basil it is b-caryophyllene and in Thai basil it is methylchavicol. Several red varieties are rich in linalool while lemon-scented basils are high in cineole. These compounds give rise to the very different scents and flavours seen in all the different basils and may be used in the future to classify and separate the different types. There is also experimentation on the different types for future uses, for example the camphor-containing oils have been shown to have anti-bacterial properties.

Basil can be used in a huge range of dishes

Cooking with basil
Basil lends itself to a huge range of different dishes and is used in almost every culture through the world. The different flavours of basil dictate its different uses. Sweet basil is used with tomatoes, spaghetti sauces (like pesto, see the recipe below), mushrooms, pea and lentil soups, cream cheese, cucumbers, eggs, rice and salads. It is especially good when finely chopped and added to salad dressing. In Asia, raw basil leaves are eaten with raw vegetables and a spicy dip or served with other fresh herbs and salad vegetables as a side dish. They also add a handful of leaves, just before serving, to stir-fried meats like chicken or beef. In Ethiopia, basil is added to chilli sauces and mashed into ghee. Anise-flavoured Thai basil is added to many dishes, especially stir-fried meats while lemon basil can be fried with seafood and baked with fish. Sacred basil has a sweet, spicy, pungent flavour and is used in salads, as a potherb and added to stir-fries and curries.

Pesto sauce
1 cup fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons pine nuts
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic (optional)
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 fresh basil leaves

Combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and garlic in a large pestle and mortar or food processor, and puree. Slowly add the olive oil while continuing to puree. Use with pasta, potatoes or simply on toast. Garnish with the two fresh basil leaves.  Pesto sauce can be kept in the refrigerator in a sealed jar for a couple of weeks.

Perennial basil, also known as camphor basil

Purple basil

Cinnamon basil

Different types of basil
Ocimum basilicum — Sweet basil. An annual that grows to 50 cm with oval-shaped leaves and green bracts with white flowers that grow in tapering spikes at the top of the plant. It has a warm clove-like scent and flavour. There are numerous cultivars, all of which can be used in cooking, to repel pests and medicinally. The following is a list of some of those available.
‘Anisette’ — Anise basil with anise-basil scented leaves.
‘Cinnamon’ — Cinnamon basil with spicy cinnamon scented leaves.
‘Crispum’ — Lettuce-leaf basil grows as a large bush with large crinkly green leaves with the true basil scent and flavour.
‘Greek Mini’ — Dwarf form with tiny leaves and a spicy aroma and flavour.
‘Green Bouquet’ — Dwarf form with tiny leaves which makes a good pot-plant or edging plant.
‘Green Ruffles’ — Large frilly green leaves.
‘Mammoth’ — Large plant with a very large leaf and fine flavour.
‘Spicy Globe’ — Compact dwarf form with spicy leaves and white flowers.
‘Thai’ — Purple stems and deep green leaves with strong, anise-clove flavour, mauve flowers with deep purple bracts. Also known as liquorice basil and sometimes given the species name of O. thyrsiflora. There are now several cultivars of this basil including ‘Siam Queen’.
var. purpurascens — Purple basil resembles sweet basil except that it has attractive purple leaves and pink flowers. The flavour is stronger and less sweet.
var. purpurascens ‘Purple Ruffles’ — Large purple leaves with wavy edges.

O. americanum — Lime or Hoary basil. An annual with long pointed leaves and a zesty lime flavour. This basil is also called O. canum
O. x citriodorum — Lemon basil is an annual that grows as a small delicate shrub with lemon-basil scented leaves.
O. gratissimum — Clove basil, tree basil, East India basil. This shrubby perennial basil has long, lime green leaves and pale yellow flowers. Sweet clove scent. In frost-free areas it can reach 2 m in height.
O. kilimandscharicum— Perennial basil, camphor basil, African blue basil needs to be protected from frosts and is very susceptible to damping off. It has slightly narrower, more pointed leaves than sweet basil, purple bracts and white flowers.
O. minimum — Bush basil is an annual with small leaves and grows to only 20 cm; good container plant.
O. tenuiflorum — Sacred basil is a perennial that grows as a small shrub with soft, hairy leaves and pink flowers. It has a strong, pungent, clove like scent. It is native to the far north of Australia, India, Malaysia and western Asia. This basil is sacred to Hindus and is used in funeral rites, planted around temples and generally believed to bring good luck. It is also commonly cultivated in India as a malarial fumigant. Sacred basil is also found growing wild in Northern Australia (mostly inland Queensland and the Northern Territory) where it is often called bush tealeaf. Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory prepared hot, clove-scented infusions from the plant that were used to treat respiratory problems, dysentery, fever and sickness.

Clove basil, also known as tree basil

Bush basil

Mail order suppliers of basil plants and seeds
All Rare Herbs
www.allrareherbs.com.au
Digger’s Seeds
www.diggers.com.au
Eden Seeds
www.edenseeds.com.au
Green Harvest
www.greenharvest.com.au
New Gippsland Seeds and Bulbs
www.newgipps.com.au
Greenpatch Organic Seeds
www.greenpatchseeds.com.au

Bay trees make wonderful slow-growing hedges or clipped specimen plants. Heronswood, Dromana

Sweet bay (Laurus nobilis ) was seen by the old herbalists as a virtuous tree which “resisteth witchcraft very potently”. The Greeks dedicated it to Apollo, the sun god. The Delphic priestesses, oracles of Apollo, held bay leaves between their lips as they made prophesies. In Greek and Roman cultures victors, heroes, academics and artistic figures were rewarded with a wreath or crown of bay leaves. This gave rise to the terms ‘baccalaureate’ and ‘poet laureate’.
Bays are unusual in the world of herbs in that, given the right conditions, they can grow into large trees, sometimes as high as 20 metres. They are usually slow growing and with careful pruning make excellent lawn specimens, topiary trees, pot plants or hedges. To grow a bay as a standard or topiary specimen, remove any suckers from the base as well as all the lower branches, leaving only about six branches at the top. After this, continue to remove any suckers that appear and prune the branches at the top, into the desired shape, twice during the following and each subsequent summer.
Bays are lovely, evergreen aromatic plants with shiny, dark green elliptical leaves. Male and female flowers grow on different trees but all are greenish yellow and fairly inconspicuous. The flowers on female trees, once fertilised, develop into dark purple berries. Bays grow in most soils as long as the drainage is good, but like lots of sun and protection from harsh winds and especially cold winds. Young trees will not tolerate frosts but become more frost resistant as they grow.
New bay trees can be grown from seed, cuttings, or by detaching suckers. As seeds rarely germinate unless conditions are ideal (which includes constant temperatures around 24°C) and cuttings of semi-ripe shoots taken in summer can take up to 6 months to develop roots, the average herb gardener is probably better off buying an established plant or taking a sucker from an existing tree.
Bay leaves can be used either fresh or dried, but remember that the fresh leaves have a stronger flavour. The leaves are most commonly added whole to soups, stews, casseroles and meat sauces and removed before serving. Leaves are used either on their own or combined with other herbs as part of a bouquet garni. The combination will vary depending on the dish. For example, a bouquet garni for a beef dish could consist of one bay leaf and a sprig each of parsley stems, thyme, sage and sweet marjoram, tied together in a bunch.
Placed in food containers one or two bay leaves will prevent moths and bugs from infesting flours and cereals, and fresh bay leaves put between the pages of a book will help to repel silverfish. In fact the whole tree is disease and pest resistant and will protect other plants in the area from many insect pests.
The bay tree has been credited with numerous medicinal properties over the centuries, but is probably most useful now as an oil that is rubbed into aching limbs and muscles to bring relief. Combine 50 g of crushed leaves (either fresh or dried), 300 ml of olive oil and one tablespoon of white vinegar in a screw topped jar. Leave it in a warm place, shaking regularly for three weeks. Strain and add two or three fresh leaves, leave for another week and then use when needed.
Bay trees are supposed to protect us from devils, witches, thunder, lightning and bush fires so obviously no garden should be without one.

A small bay tree planted with other herbs in an elevated herb garden

If by chance you are female, single, looking for a mate and despairing of more conventional methods of finding one, then you could try the following technique that was once popular in Devon, England. On the evening before Valentine’s Day select five fresh bay leaves and pin them to your pillow, one in each corner and one in the middle. Now lie down with your head on the pillow and say seven times

Sweet guardian angels, let me have
What I most earnestly do crave—
A Valentine enbued with love,
Who will both true and constant prove.

Each time you say the verse you need to count to seven, seven times. If you follow these instructions carefully then your future husband will appear to you in a dream. Unfortunately the instructions don’t tell you how to actually ‘catch’ this husband, or what to do if you don’t like the look of him! — PW