Basil

An aromatic herb of the mint family used in seasoning foods.

Basil Rathbone, star of the 1940s Sherlock Holmes movies, took his given name from the same source as basil the herb. Both names derive from the Greek name for the herb, basiliskos, literally meaning the little king, which entered Latin as basilicus before being adopted by French as basile. English borrowed the French name of this herb in the early fifteenth century, although Basil had been used as an English given name for hundreds of years before this, thanks to the prominence of St. Basil, a fourth-century bishop. The herb acquired its kingly name because of the plant’s regal associations: in ancient times, it was often employed in royal potions and medicines. Basil is closely related to both basilica, a church designed to look like a king’s palace, and basilisk, an ancient monster (now extinct) known for the crown-shaped mark on its head and its ability to kill with a glance.

Aromatic herb of the mint family which contains pungent oils such as thymol and camphor.

An herbaceous plant that belongs to the mint family, originating from the Near East but now widely cultivated across the globe, is known as basil. This plant is renowned for its strong aromatic flavor that exudes a fusion of licorice, pepper, and cloves. It is a favored herb in Italian cuisine, where it is commonly utilized as a seasoning agent in many dishes.

Basil, an aromatic herb from the mint family, is an annual plant that boasts a pungent aroma. There exist two main types of basil – sweet and bush basil. Both are well-suited for use in tomato-based dishes, as well as with eggs and fish. Additionally, they make an excellent addition to soups, salads, and curries. Fresh or dried basil can be utilized in cooking.