
A Guide to Basil Herbs & its History
It's hard to find a herb that tastes and smells nicer than basil. It's fresh and delicious. The name basil comes from the Greek basilica and the Latin basilica which both means royal. The scent has been described as a mixture of musk and carnation but is difficult to describe in words. The aroma comes from a volatile oil containing, for example, linalool (floral taste), estragole (found in tarragon) and eugenol (also in cloves), an exciting combination that has made the herb popular in many countries. Basil has been considered sacred in many cultures and often associated with religion and magic. Hindus reverence the herb and it has also been found in the tombs of the pyramids. It is said that basil grew around Jesus' tomb after his resurrection and the herb is included in the rit...