This species is considered by some botanists to be no more than a form of Ocimum basilicum[].

Common Name: Bush Basil

General Information

Ocimum minimum is an aromatic, perennial plant growing around 30cm tall. It is cultivated as an annual in temperate zones.
The plant is commonly grown for its edible leaves in warm temperate and tropical climates. It also has a range of medicinal uses, yields an essential oil and can be used as an insect repellent.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern India, Sri Lanka

Habitat

Long cultivated, its original habitat is obscure[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in warm temperate to tropical climates. A perennial plant in the tropics, it is frost tender and is grown as a half-hardy annual in temperate zones[].
Prefers a rich light well-drained to dry soil[, , ]. Requires a sunny sheltered position if grown outdoors[]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5 - 8[].
Bush basil is commonly grown for its edible leaves in warm temperate and tropical climates[]. It requires a good summer in Britain if it is to do well outdoors.

Edible Uses

Leaves and flowers - raw or cooked[, , ]. Used as a flavouring or as a spinach[, ], they are used especially with tomato dishes, pasta sauces, beans, peppers and aubergines[]. The leaves are normally used fresh but can also be dried for winter use[]. A very pleasant addition to salads[], the leaves have a delightful scent of cloves[].

A refreshing tea is made from the leaves[].

The seed can be eaten on its own or added to bread dough as a flavouring[]. When soaked in water it becomes mucilaginous and can be made into a refreshing beverage called 'sherbet tokhum' in the Mediterranean[].

An essential oil obtained from the plant is used as a food flavouring in mustards, sauces, vinegars etc[, , ]

Medicinal

Bush basil has a milder action than sweet basil and is used mainly in the treatment of flatulence and griping pain in the digestive system[].

The leaves and flowering tops are antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, galactagogue, stomachic and tonic[, , , , ]. They are taken internally in the treatment of feverish illnesses (especially colds and influenza), poor digestion, nausea, abdominal cramps, gastro-enteritis, migraine, insomnia, depression and exhaustion[].
Externally, they are used to treat acne, loss of smell, insect stings, snake bites and skin infections[].
The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and are used fresh or dried[].

The seed is said to remove film and opacity from the eyes[].

Extracts from the plant are bactericidal and are also effective against internal parasites[, ].

The seeds are said to be a cure for warts[].

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Clearing'[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Bush basil is a good companion plant for tomatoes but it grows badly with rue and sage[, , , ]. When grown near raspberries it can retard their fruiting[].
A very good plant to grow in the house or greenhouse, its aromatic foliage helps reduce problems caused by insect pests[].

Other Uses

An essential oil obtained from the whole plant is used as a food flavouring and in perfumery, dental applications etc[, , , , , ]. An average yield of 1.5% essential oil is obtained from the flowering tops[]. When applied to the skin it makes a good mosquito repellent[].

The growing or dried plant is an effective insect repellent. It is a good plant to grow in the home, where it repels flies, or in the greenhouse where it can keep all manner of insect pests away from nearby plants[, , ]. It has been used in the past as a strewing herb[].

Propagation

Seed - sow mid to late spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually free and quick, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If growing basil outdoors, plant out after the last expected frosts.