Green Basil: varieties, cultivation, useful properties

First green Basil has been used in the preparation of Oriental dishes. This spicy and aromatic spice relished the Europeans later 2nd century after it appeared in the culinary Arsenal of many Asian chefs. At the end of the 16th century Basil becomes expensive spice in the dishes to meat, fish, salads and desserts.

The varieties of Basil

The Basilica of abundance of species: 13 representatives. Depends on the variety of leaf form, size and color. The colors can be from light green to a deep purple hue. Due to its vast colours, some gardeners use Basil as a decorative flower garden. And when landing on the ground it protects vegetable crops against many pests with their strong aroma.

The Most popular varieties of Basil in our climate zone:

• Anise green with silver-green leaves and Basil. Received its name for its delicate sweet flavor, reminiscent of anise. Popular in traditional Asian cooking and confectionery.
• Lemon - a fragrant green Basil with a delicate lemon flavor. Used in beverages, desserts and as a condiment for fish. Often used in cosmetics, perfumery and aromatherapy.
• "Thai Queen" - thanks to its decorative appeal is often used in landscape design: on the background of bright abundant sostvennosti in the centre of the plant is deep purple inflorescence. Sharp and strong aroma gives a distinctive Oriental taste. Used in marinades, sauces and as a seasoning for meat.

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Green, the Europeans called sweet Basil, as it has a smoother and milder taste, most often it is used in Mediterranean cuisine. Purple varieties have a sharp, spicy taste. Eastern peoples called it fragrant Basil.

Common varieties of purple Basil,

• Purple leaves characteristic of Burgundy and purple shades. Has a high yield due to the large sostvennosti. Due to the pronounced spices often used in the manufacture of oils, sauces and vinegar. Serves as a decoration for salads.

• Camphor - the highest grade reaches 60 centimeters. Got its name due to extract natural camphor from the plant. Has a specific aroma and is used as medicinal infusions. Used in meat and vegetable dishes.
• "Ararat" - the speed at the time of ripening Basil, from the beginning of germination to harvest is from 30 to 40 days. Sizes compact, up to 30 cm in height, purple tint, with a bitter-clove flavor. Used in dried form in soups, to meat and vegetables.

We considered only the most common varieties of Basil green and purple, actually there are many more. And they all have their unique qualities, but United in their usefulness to human health.

Useful properties of Basil

Not only in cooking, Basil has received wide circulation, but also in folk medicine due to its medicinal properties. Thanks to the bright aroma of the plant is used for air purification, getting rid of headaches and relax the body in aromatherapy. And yet, according to old beliefs, Basil helped young girls to get married.

People suffering from diseases of the digestive system, the special properties of green Basil helped to get rid of the disease. Because essential oils contained in the spices well with the splitting of fatty foods.

What is included with Eastern spices

To answer the question, how useful green Basil, you must understand its chemical composition. The richness of the plant contains in its leaves. That they contain vitamins a, B2, R, s, vegetable fats, simple sugars, rutin, carotene, volatile. Spice give the Basilica essential oils that are contained in an amount of 1.5 %, is considered high. Volatile substances, which are also important components that contribute to the activation of the cardiac rhythm: linalool, camphor, eugenol and merhavia.

Due to all above characteristics, you can see how extensively the use of the Basilica and in medicine as anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, wound healing, immune protection tool. For bronchitis, viral respiratory diseases, asthma, this plant can come to the rescue.

Positively effect the nervous system, digestive tract, strengthens the muscle tissue of the internal organs and relieves spasms in blood vessels and normalizes the urinary tract and intestines.

Who should not use fragrant Basil

As Basil stimulates cardiac activity, then the health problems of this body is to refrain from eating this plant. Fragrant green Basil has an impact on the blood vessels in the body, and therefore diseases of veins of various etiologies, and blood clotting are the justification for abstinence from it. During pregnancy, lactation and diabetes doctors also recommendto refrain from this spice in any form.

Choosing a landing site

Basil grows well in open, well-lit areas. So you should make sure that the place was chosen well: away from the buildings casting a shadow. The soil must be prepared so that it provided the necessary growth and development of the plant. This requires a wet landing means that contains potassium compounds (potassium chloride, potassium sulfate) and urea in equal proportions with water. The soil in which Basil is to grow, needs to consist of humus, peat, compost and earth.

Growing Basil

Many gardeners can be found on the garden Basil in the neighborhood with parsley, dill or onions. Medicinal properties and taste of this plant attract lovers of healthy food. Grow his seeds in greenhouses, or seedlings outdoors. The fact that green Basil is very delicate and heat-loving, with the slightest frosts the plant dies. Therefore, seedling planting method facilitates the process of care and assists in the yield from the garden.

The Optimal time for sowing seeds is mid - March. And landing in the open ground is best done when it is warm and the air warmed up to +20 - +25C. It is usually begin transplanting in late may - early June.

As it is very sensitive to transplanting, it is best to do with peat pots or in the phase of the expanded first leaf. This will allow to reduce losses during its landing. The distance between the seedlings must be left in 20 centimeters. Below are photos of green Basil.

Disease Oriental spices

Basil is an annual plant, but to plant it in the same place is not recommended earlier than 5 years. The fact that he is susceptible to fungal diseases that occur with improper care.

• Annual planting in the same place;
• Overflow, as a result, stagnant water;
• Lack of timely loosening the soil around the Basilica;
• Improper disposal of weeds.

If you find that Basil is infected "blackleg", "Fusarium" or "Botrytis", you need to remove the plant from the landing site along with the root system and surrounding earth. But if the Basil is just starting to get sick, you can try to save him: prepare a decoction of onion peel (in the ratio of 100 g husk in 400 ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for a day) or copper sulfate solution (1 teaspoon of powder in 2 liters of water) and spray every day sick plant until full recovery.

Caring for green Basil

The Basilica requires moderate watering and regular weeding of weeds. Fertilizing with mineral fertilizers it is desirable to do twice a month. If it fails to remove the side shoots, the yield of the plant can be extended: up to 3 charges per plant.

The Energy value of a plant

If you are a lover of Italian cuisine, Basil is in the form of jewelry on pasta or additions to the salad acts very often. But because it can be interesting information about the caloric content of such an amazing spice. 100 grams of product in dried form account for 23 to 27 calories (depending on variety). The main component of plants is water - 96 % fat in the Basilica of 0.65 %, carbohydrates - 2,64 %, protein - 3,14 %. From these data it can be concluded that the caloric value of it is almost zero.

Basil as a remedy for weight loss

If you are on diet, green Basil will be able to help you out. The fact that he is not only nearly calorie-free, but also copes with hunger. And whereas the reserves of essential trace elements and vitamins. At the use of his in food, he actively starts to burn fat and accelerate metabolic processes in the body.

For Example, if the steamed vegetables, add 2 tablespoons of Basil that received only 1 kilocalorie. All the process will proceed so effectively that as energy the body will remain nothing at all. You can add a steamed fish, then diet dish will sparkle with bright colors. Maximum benefit for your body.

The Use of Basil in cosmetology

We already know that green or purple Basil variety is composed of many essential oils. For this reason, from him beauticians love to make oils that are an important component useful in creams, lotions and other remedies aimed at rejuvenation. Care for the Basil oil will participate in the fight against skin fatigue, aging signs and acne. The antioxidant properties will help the skin to renew and get rid of harmful effects of the environment.

Recipe classic salad with Basil

After all the above information about the beneficial properties of Basil, its cultivation and use in medicinal purposes, and much more, you must complete article the classic recipe is simple and delicious salad with Basil. This salad served in most European restaurants.

Green or purple Basil used in cooking in various forms: sheetsplants, sprouts, fresh and dried, whole and powdered.

We will need the following products:

• Mozzarella cheese - 120-130 g;
• Cherry tomatoes 10 pieces (or regular tomatoes - 2 pieces);
• Lettuce - 5 pieces;
• Basil leaves - 6 petals;
• A bunch of dill;
• Green onion (to taste);
• Balsamic vinegar - 1 tablespoon;
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons;
• Salt, pepper - to taste.

Preparation of salad

If you have stashed cherry tomatoes, after being washed, you want to cut in half. If you have a regular the tomatoes, then cut them into cubes.

Cheese mozzarella to be free from packaging and rinse with boiled water. When the cheese is ready, slice and dice.

Go to the greens: Basil, you can just pick up, leave whole or slice (as you prefer). But to assume that greens, torn hands, the more you give the essential oil gives a rich taste to the dish. Fennel may act similarly, but they can also shred it, like green onions. The last ingredient is optional components of the classic salad with Basil. So leave a decision on his availability at its discretion.

To prepare the dressing you need to mix balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Now go to the appearance of the salad: sliced tomatoes (or the tomatoes), place on a platter, add the greens. Pour the prepared salad dressing.

The final touch: lettuce leaves can cut or tear pieces (as you prefer) and stir the mixture.

Bon appetit!