The basil (also known as nine-layered pagoda, golden nectar, St. Joseph's wort, and sweet basil, is a dwarf, young herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family) used to make pastry (Western-style confectionery). Basil carries a powerful, pungent, incense-like odor that tastes like fennel, and most of the common species are annuals; some are perennials, including African blue basil and Thai divine basil. Basil is commonly found in Western recipes and Thai cuisine, and is also used in the three-cup dishes of Chinese cuisine. Basil is also used as an herbal medicine to treat bruises and snake bites. Different varieties focus on different uses, sweet basil is mostly used in pastry, green basil is mostly used as a gardening plant, and purple basil is generally used to make wine and tonic.