The History & Magic of Basil

Origins

While most of us associate basil with Italian food, it is actually native to India and Southeast Asia. The earliest known reference stretches back 5,000 years to Indian Vedic texts.  It comes in many varieties; sweet basil used in Italian recipes, “holy” basil in ayurvedic medicine, small leaf, large leaf, purple, Thai, and even Lemon basil.  

Yummy Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

This close cousin of mint is indigenous to the lower hills of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh but cultivated throughout all of India. Named Tulsi (holy basil), this fragrant herb is cherished for its healing properties. For Hindu, tulsi is an essential part of the worship of Vishnu.  

Some historians believe that basil originated in Africa – where locals claimed it protected against scorpions. 4,000 years ago it was used by the Egyptians for embalming. It was also referenced as a herbal medicine in the Ebers Papyrus of 1500 BC.

The Folklore and Magical side of BASIL

India

In India, it was used to ward off evil and was considered sacred and a symbol of long life, love, fidelity, eternal life, purification, and protection. It was placed it in the mouth of the dying to ensure they reach God.  They also bathed the head of the body in Tulsi water before being buried and put a leaf on the chest over the heart.

It was consecrated to the Hindu god, Vishnu, whose wife Tulasi (aka Tulsi) was said to have taken the form of basil when she came to earth.  According to lore, Tulasi, whose name was Vrinda, threw herself onto her husband’s funeral pyre because she was so upset that he died.  Vishnu deified her and declared that she should be worshiped by wives and would prevent them from becoming widows.

It is believed the presence of Tulasi can keep evil spirits away while attracting divine blessings - it is often planted by the front door of a house.  

Vrinda

China

There are some ancient records from 807 A.D. suggesting it was used in the Hunan region of China at that time. Basil eventually migrated westward as whole plants as it could be grown easily indoors and away from exposure to cold climates and frost.

Ancient Greece

The Basilisk

Some say “Basil” is derived from the Greek word basilikon for “royal.”  Others say the name Basil was derived from Greek mythology - named after the terrifying basilisk, a half-lizard, half-dragon creature with a fatal piercing stare. Basil was a magical cure against the look, breath or even the bite of the basilisk.

Alexander the Great brought basil to Greece around 350 B.C..  Ancient Greeks however, associated basil with misfortune, believing that basil would flourish only in areas where there was poverty, hatred, and abuse. They also believed it could only successfully be sown if the seeds were cast while ranting and swearing.

Ancient Egyptians

As a passport to help the deceased to enter Paradise, basil was used as a botanical preparation in embalming bodies. It was found with the mummies of ancient Egypt.

Perhaps because of its embalming usage, basil was also a symbol of mourning. It was widely used together with other essences, for religious ceremonies.

Romans

Romans believed the most potent basil could only be grown if one planted the seed while ranting and swearing - cursing their enemies as they sowed. The more you mistreated the herb, the better it grew.

Although a symbol of hatred, it eventually became a token of love. Romans considered it the symbol of lovers, and it was also used as an aromatic herb in cooking.

4th Century

In the early 4th century, St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, was credited with discovering relics of the original cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.  According to legend, she was led to the site by following a trail of basil which sprang from the places where Jesus’ blood was shed and fell to the ground.

Middle Ages Folklore

Europeans thought that basil caused the spontaneous generation of scorpions!!! And that even smelling basil would cause getting scorpions in one’s brain!!!!    AGHHH !!!!

Should one sting you, folklore said basil was a cure. Herbalists at the same time also thought that basil leaves left unattended would turn into a scorpion.  

Black scorpion

Another legend says to acquire a scorpion, one should place a few basil leaves under a flowerpot and after a while, the pot would be lifted to expose a scorpion.  Also that it was believed to hold magical properties and was used as a defense against "basilisk", a monster resembling a poisonous serpent.

1500's England

In 1500 basil was introduced to England where it was held in contempt because it would not grow when planted next to rue (Rutaceae). Herbalists thought that rue could protect against poisons, therefore anything that would not flourish next to it was held in suspicion.

England in Tudor times

Basil was used in English folk magic, like so many other things, to ward off harmful spells as well as to keep away pests. Apparently, witches drank basil juice before flying on their brooms !

France

Basil was known as the king of herbs - l’herbe royale.

Jewish

Hebrew traditions used to use basil to provide strength during religious fasting. Those participating in a fast would wear garlands of fresh basil around their necks.  The fragrance of which was thought to satiate hunger and make fasting easier.

Portugal

In Portugal, dwarf bush basil is traditionally presented in a pot, together with a poem and a paper carnation, to a sweetheart, on the religious holidays of Saint John and Saint Anthony.

Orthodox Church

Basil has religious significance in the Greek Orthodox Church, where it is used to sprinkle holy water. The Bulgarian, Serbian, Macedonian, and Romanian Orthodox Church use basil to prepare holy water and pots of basil are often placed below church altars.

Some Greek Orthodox Christians avoid eating it due to its association with the legend of the Elevation of the Holy Cross.  Tradition has it that basil was found growing around Christ's tomb after the Resurrection.

Italy

Young maidens would wear a sprig of basil in their hair to profess their availability. In some regions of Italy, basil was known as “kiss-me-Nicholas.”

Italian folklore equated sweet basil with love, and a woman who wanted to advertise her availability to perspective suitors placed a pot of basil on her windowsill.

Romania

The royal herb in Romania is associated with the Dragobete celebration of love and happiness. If a boy accepts a sprig of basil from a girl, it means they are engaged to be married and if a girl places a sprig under her pillow she will dream of her future lover. In some places this act was representative of an official engagement.

Modern folklore

In Crete, basil is placed on window ledges to repel Satan.

Haiti

Basil is sacred to the goddess of love, Erzulie.

Santeria

In Santeria, Basil (Albahaca in Spanish – origins of Arabic) was used for purification and luck baths. It is also widely used as a fumigating herb, known to remove spirits from a home. Mixed with passion flower, it was made into a powerful cleansing bath. It is also commonly used in a number of sacred objects and talismans.  

What can I say - Fascinating !

Plant Specialists can install lots of Basil in your garden !!!

 – plenty to cook with and enough left over to make a spell !

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Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA

All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK