August 12, 2020 · By Monisha Dajee

PLANT SPOTLIGHT - BLOOMING BASIL

Over the next few posts I want to shed some light on the sweet, pungent herb that is basil (Ocimum basilicum). In all honesty, although I continue grow this robust summery herb year after year, I really do not incorporate it enough into my everyday wellbeing. It’s a such shame and massive loss of a magickal ingredient, as it really packs a punch of flavour into any dish. So this week, I have looked at how I can use all elements of this royal plant - from the seeds, to the leaves, to the flowers.

The recent hot and humid weather has sent my basil plants into overdrive and they seem to be constantly shooting up stalks of flowers. So I decided to snip a few and make a lovely pot of fragrant flower tea.The blooms taste similar to the leaves, but slightly milder in flavour. I know the weather is scorching right now but I find a cup of tea helps cool me down!

The flowers are pretty but by pinching off the flower buds as soon as they emerge, it will help delay the flowering process so we may be able to get another harvest of leaves before the flavour begins to decline and the plant starts to perish in colder months.

This plant has so many medicinal benefits -

Acts as an anti-inflammatory, consists of phytochemicals which help naturally prevent cancer, full of healing and antiseptic properties, improves digestion, prevents acne outbreaks and also speeds up the healing process of acne lesions….the power of this classic herb is endless.

It’s definitely a herb that deserves the spotlight and one that I have so much respect for. It will always hold a place in my sanctuary of herbs and I will definitely be further exploring its holistic multitude of uses into my everyday wellbeing.

Moni Dajee, founder of The London Alchemists - artist, creator, explorer, beekeeper and avid practitioner of natural alchemy.

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