Basil is an aromatic medicinal and edible plant, which tastes like fennel. The whole plant is small, with green leaves, bright colors and fragrance. Native to tropical Asia, it is very sensitive to cold and grows best in hot and dry environment. It has a strong, stimulating and fragrant smell. Smooth or basically smooth erect millet, some of which are perennial plants. Some can be made into beautiful bonsai with a little pruning, which can be potted for viewing. It can beautify and get rid of the peculiar smell at home, and it is an economical and applicable home bonsai.
The value of basil
Edible: There are many kinds of basil. Here, the representative sweet basil, which is often used in Italian food, is different from the nine-story tower used in Chinese food. The latter has strong vein fibers and can withstand cooking. Italian basil leaves are tender and heat-resistant, and are often used in cold sauces and salads, as well as hot dishes.
Medicinal uses: The whole herb is used as a medicine for treating headache, migraine, earache, sinusitis, bronchitis, expectoration, cold, asthma, burping, flatulence, stomachache, stomach cramp, flatulence, dyspepsia, enteritis and diarrhea, hyperuricemia, muscle soreness, soft skin, chest pain, traumatic injury, blood stasis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
How to eat basil?
As a known safe food raw material, basil is widely used in spices, beverages and foods. Its smell is fragrant, cool, sweet and slightly spicy, slightly like fennel. When cooking meat, fish, seafood and other dishes with different tastes, adding a few fresh leaves can remove the fishy smell and odor and give off a unique fragrance. Commonly used in western food, Thai food and Chinese food, especially with tomatoes.
It is often used to make Italian green sauce (pesto). Basically, every household in Italy has this universal sauce in the refrigerator. Besides basil, this sauce also contains olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese and one or two nuts, which is relatively simple to make. It is very suitable for spreading bread, making salads and pasta with green sauce.