Basil

Element: Fire(🜂 )

Planet: Mars

Gender: Masculine(♂)

Zodiac: Scorpio(♏︎) 

An easy plant to grow, Basil is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in Italy. Its soft leaves have an oval shape and a pleasant aroma. There are several varieties of basil such as African blue, Bush basil, Cinnamon basil, Lemon basil, Lettuce basil, Licorice basil, Purple ruffles basil, and Witches Herb. Basil is found in Central Africa and Southeast Asia. Basil adds a fresh flavour to almost any dish. It is an essential ingredient in pesto sauces used in Italian cooking and basil is also used in Caprese salads and pizzas.

• Size: one to two feet tall
• Container: ten inches in diameter
• Soil: wet, rich, well-drained
• Plant: Seeds, seedlings, or transplants

• Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
• Pagan name: Witches herb
• Plant type: Annual

According to the Wiccan tradition, Basil uses to attract luck, love, and business customers. Basil is also a powerful cleanser that is used to eliminate the negative energies that come to us. Therefore, it is also widely used for cleansing and protective bathing. In English folk magic, basil turned into used to maintain away pests and defend against harmful spells cast by others. An ancient legend has it that Witches could drink “basil juice” before flying on their broomsticks.

This may propose that it turned into used for astral projection or interacting with the spirit world in an out-of-body occurrence. In Italy, basil turned into a symbol of love, and women who had been ready to receive suitors would vicinity a pot of basil on their balconies. Basil is considered a sacred plant by the Indians. According to the ancient Indian tradition, they light a lamp near the basil plant, which is believed to protect the house from misfortunes and diseases.

☟︎︎︎ Medicinal properties of basil☟︎︎︎

• Basil is widely used to treat digestive problems, constipation, and other stomach ailments.

• It is an excellent antiseptic as it relieves muscle soreness in internal organs and blood vessels.

• In cosmetology, basil accelerates nail growth and helps to relieve headaches.

• Basil oil repels mosquitoes and if you have already been bitten by mosquitoes, lubricate the affected area with oil. This will remove the itch and neutralize the mosquito venom.

• Basil is used to treat respiratory and viral diseases.

☟︎︎︎ If you intend to dry basil leaves, pay close attention to the following process☟︎︎︎

☘︎ Basil does not like heat and direct sunlight, so if you dry the basil leaves in the sun, it loses all of its flavour, aroma, and properties. So you crush the leaves a little and dry them in a dark, ventilated place.

⚠︎  Important:- Use a glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid to store dried plant leaves!