Basil is a member of the mint family, and basil tea can be served after meals as a digestive aid. 1  To make fresh basil tea: 2  Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of fresh, chopped basil. 3  Steep for 5 minutes. 4  Sweeten with raw honey to taste.
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Basil is a highly fragrant plant whose leaves are used as a seasoning herb for many different types of foods. Basil has become one of the most recognizable herbs ever since pesto, the mixture of basil, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese, has become popular. Basil has round leaves that are oftentimes pointed.
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In a few weeks, your basil plants will be ready to harvest again. Final Harvest: At the end of the season (before the first frost), cut the stems to the ground and pick off all the leaves. Add the stems to the compost pile, and bring the leaves indoors for an afternoon of cooking and preserving.
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Adding basil to healthy stir-fries, especially those that include eggplant, cabbage, chili peppers, tofu and cashew nuts will give them a Thai flair. Purée basil, olive oil and onions in a food processor or blender and add to tomato soups. Enjoy a warm cup of invigorating basil tea by infusing chopped basil leaves in boiling water for eight minutes.
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Basil is an herb. The parts of the plant that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Basil is used for stomach spasms, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, kidney conditions, fluid retention, head colds, warts, and worm infections.
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-303-BASIL.aspx?activeIngredientId=303&activeIngredientName=BASIL
The round, often pointed leaves of the basil plant looks a lot like peppermint to which it is related. Its highly fragrant leaves are used as a seasoning herb for a variety of foods but has become ever popular as the main ingredient in pesto, the mixture of basil, pine nuts and parmesan cheese.
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For best results: 1  Harvesting Small Amounts: Pick a few leaves off each plant, rather than cutting off a whole stem. 2  Harvesting Larger Amounts: Harvest the leaves from the top down, cutting back up to a third of the total plant height.
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Fresh basil should be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel. It may also be frozen, either whole or chopped, in airtight containers. Alternatively, you can freeze the basil in ice cube trays covered with either water or stock that can be added when preparing soups or stews. Dried basil should be kept in a tightly sealed glass container in a cool, dark and dry place where it will keep fresh for about six months.
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This year, I grew basil more than ever. I put it in containers on my front covered porch, back deck and my vegetable garden in between my tomatoes. So lets just say, I have a lot of basil and its not going away, My favorite things to do with basil is pizza with my fresh tomatoes that I grow.
http://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-harvest-and-use-fresh-basil-from-your-garden/
Lab studies show the effectiveness of basil in restricting growth of numerous bacteria, including : Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O:157:H7, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
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what do you put basil on
You put basil in healthy stir-fries, especially those that include eggplant, cabbage, chili peppers, tofu and cashew nuts will give them a Thai flair. Adding basil to healthy stir-fries, especially those that include eggplant, cabbage, chili peppers, tofu and cashew nuts will give them a Thai flair.