Basil - Ocimum basilicum
(St. Joseph wort, Sweet Basil)
Description: Aromatic annual with little brittle stems only growing to about 2 ft. Leaves are oval and shiny, fleshy and dark green or red depending on variety. Creamy white flowers appear in midsummer.
Uses: Use leaves fresh, frozen or dried in shade. Popular culinary flavoring that has been used since ancient times. Insect repellant and used medicinally to soothe pain, treat nervous stress, vomiting and headaches.
Infusion: Used to prepare more delicate parts of plants. 3 cups of water to 1 ounce dry herb or 1½ ounce of fresh herbs; pour the freshly boiled water over herbs in a pot, cover the pot and let the herbs steep for at least 10 minutes. Strain and serve. Refrigerate unused portions, lasts up to 24 hours.
Tincture: A tincture is a good solution for long term treatment as will store for up to two years. 8 ounces of dried herb, 1½ cups of alcohol (grain alcohol like Everclear), and 4 cups of water; Chop your herbs up finely and put them in a glass jar with a good tight fitting lid. Pour the liquid over the herbs and tighten the lid. Keep the jar in a warm, dark place for 2 weeks. Shake the jar every two days. After the two weeks, strain the liquid off through cheesecloth into a clean colored glass jar and store away from heat and direct sunlight.
Medicinal uses: vomiting, analgesic, stress, headaches
Used in spells relating to: Protection while flying
|
