BASIL
ocimum basilicum
Labiatae



HISTORY
Derivation of the name Basil is uncertain.
Some authorities say it comes from the Greek basileus, a king,
because, as Parkinson says, 'the smell there of is so excellent
that it is fit for a king's house,' or it may have been termed royal,
because it was used in some regal unguent or medicine.
One rather unlikely theory is that it is shortened from basilisk,
a fabulous creature that could kill with a look.
This theory may be based on a strange old superstition
that connected the plant with scorpions.

Parkinson tells us that; 'being gently handled it gave
a pleasant smell but being hardly wrung and bruised
would breed scorpions.
It is observed that scorpions do much rest and abide
under these pots and vessells wherein Basil is planted,
'It was generally believed that if a sprig of Basil were left
under a pot it would in time turn to a scorpion.
Superstition went so far as to affirm that even selling
the plant might bring a scorpion into the brain.

Culpepper says:
'Being applied to the place bitten by venomous
beasts or stung by a wasp or hornet, it
speedily draws the poison to it.
- Every like draws its like.
Mizaldus affirms, that being laid to rot in horse-dung,
it will breed venomous beasts.
Hilarius, a French physician, affirms upon his own knowledge,
that an acquaintance of his, by common smelling to it,
had a scorpion breed in his brain.'

In India Basil plant is sacred
to both Krishna and Vishnu, and is cherished
in every Hindu house.
Probably on account of its virtues,
in disinfecting, and vivifying malarious air,
it first became inseparable from Hindu houses
in India as the protecting spirit of the family.

Every good Hindu goes to his rest
with a Basil leaf on his breast.
This is his passport to Paradise.