Holy basil, Bush tea leaf, Sacred Basil
It is a warm temperate plant. It needs a sunny sheltered position. Soil should be kept moist. In Asia it grows up to 600 m altitude. In China it grows in dry sandy areas. It can grow in arid places. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 9-10.
Also known as:
Ajaka, Aring, Baranda, Basilic des moines, Basilic sacre, Bidai, Brinda, Bryanda, Fusthula, Gaggera, Hsiang tsai, Kadiring, Kala-pi-sein, Kala tulsi, Kalitulshin, Kamangi, Kaphrao, Katriin, Kom ko dong, Krishna tulasi, Lamar, Loko-loko, Maeng-luk, Manjari, M'reas prov, Mreah preu, Mreahs prow, Nalla tulasi, Parnasa, Patrapuspha, Phak ka phao, Pin-sein-net, Ruku fuik, Ruku-ruku, Sacred balm, Saph'au, Sheng luo le, Sulasi, Suvasa tulasi, Tarp hao, Te marou, Thai basil, Trittavu, Tulasa, Tulasi chajadha, Tulsi, Tunrusi, Warung
Synonyms
- Lumnitzera tenuiflora (L.) Spreng.
- Ocimum anisodorum F. Muell.
- Ocimum brachiatum Hassk.
- Ocimum caryophyllinum F. Muell.
- Ocimum flexuosum Blanco
- Ocimum hirsutum Benth.
- Ocimum inodorum Burm. f.
- Ocimum monachorum L.
- Ocimum sanctum L
- Ocimum sanctum L. var. angustifolium Benth.
- Ocimum sanctum L. var. cubensis Gomes
- Ocimum scutellarioides Willd. ex Benth.
- Ocimum subserratum B. Heyne ex Hook. f.
- Ocimum tenuiflorum L. f. villicaulis Domin
- Ocimum tenuiflorum L. var. anisodorum (F. Muell.) Domin.
- Ocimum tomentosum Lam.
- Ocimum villosum Roxb.
- Moschosma tenuiflorum (L.) Heyne.
- Geniosporum tenuiflorum (L.) Merr.
- Plectranthus monachorum (L.) Spreng.
Edible Portion
- Leaves for tea, Herb, Seeds, Spice, Flowers
Where does Holy basil grow?
Found in: Andamans, Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Caroline Islands, China, Chuuk, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ethiopia, Fiji, FSM, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Pohnpei, Rotuma, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tasmania, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Indies, Yap
Notes: There are between 100 and 150 Ocimum species. It has anticancer properties.
Status: The seeds are sold in markets. It is a sacred plant within Hinduism. It is eaten in larger amounts during famines.
Growing Holy basil, Bush tea leaf, Sacred Basil
Cultivation: It is grown from seed. Seeds are sown directly.
Edible Uses: The soft seeds when soaked in water give a drink. The leaves are used for flavouring. They are used to flavour fruit jellies, sweet breads and preserves. The fresh leaves can be added to salads. They are also used as a substitute for tea. The flowers are eaten.
Production: Leaves suffer cold injury if stored below 12°C after harvest.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
Holy basil, Bush tea leaf, Sacred Basil Photos
References
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