This outstanding herb takes its name from the Greek name `Basileus or Basilikon´, which means `king or royal´ indicating its status and sacred position among herbs, although it's possible it's name derives from `Basilisk´ named after a legendary snake.

It has an ancient history with its roots in India where it's known as Tulasi (the incomparable one), and is considered very sacred and a symbol of long life, love, fidelity, purification and protection. It was consecrated to the Hindu god, Vishnu, and its presence is known to keep evil spirits away while attracting divine blessings - it is often planted by the front door or entrance in Rural India.

In Egypt it was used to help the deceased enter Paradise, it was used as a botanical preparation in embalming bodies and has been discovered in many tombs. The ancient Egyptians also prepared it with other essences, for spiritual ceremonies. Perhaps the Ancient Egyptian Priests and Priestesses knew the wisdom of this herb and passed on their knowledge to Ancient Arabia and Ancient Greece.

This herb has a deep connection to the Greek mythological snake The Basilisk, which was known as a small venomous serpent whose throat never touched the ground, with a crest upon its head, rather like some of the jagged edges of basil leaves (certain varieties) or the crest of flowers emmited by this magic herb. The Basilisk shares with Medusa the ability to strike onlookers dead by its glance alone, because of this ancient connection the basil plant was associated with misfortune, only to be used by ancient Greeks for funerals and never much more. it was later in modern Greece that Basil became more honoured and respected, probably due to reports of the disciples visiting Christs tomb to give respect but ending up baffled when finding the tomb empty but all around the tomb and on top were fully blooming basil plants.

Several hundred years later, Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in search of holy relics.
It is said she found a barren hill with a colony of fully flowering aromatic Basil Plants  growing upon it, then after a small excavation Helena found the true cross beneath the Basil plants.

Because Basil was discovered both at the cross and the tomb of Christ, Sufis and holy men in North Africa the middle east and southern Europe saw it as a symbol of Gods Paradise, Heaven and of spiritual rebirth and sanctity. So this herbvoutstanding herb became evermore recognised, respected and honoured as something very sacred.

For hundreds of years Basil was propogated and cultivated in hermitages, monasteries and temples throughout the world, embalming its essence and magic into the most holy spiritual and religous rituals throughout the world.

upcoming;

varieties

growing Basil at home

spiritual uses