* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
With a pot of basil on the window sill and a tomato plant in a window box outside, you have the perfect partnership for many summer salads and sauces, for basil and tomatoes go together in any combination. The herb is a half-hardy annual emanating from warm climates and is therefore a sun-lover.
History
Basil traveled overland to Europe via the Middle East from India, where it was considered sacred by the Hindus. A Belgian old wives' tale of the sixteenth century told that basil leaves crushed between two bricks would turn into scorpions, while Boccaccio has his heroine Lisabetta burying her lover's head in a pot of basil and watering it with her tears.
Characteristics
According to type, a basil plant can have either a multitude of minute leaves or ones up to 4 inches long and almost half as wide. Glossy, smooth, silky, and highly aromatic, the leaves smell similar to cloves. The stems tend to be woody and straggly, and the flowers, in long spikes, are small, white, and tubular. They appear from midsummer through to the fall. The plants can reach a height of 24 inches.
Growing Tips
Basil is the ideal window sill herb, but will grow outdoors if sheltered from the wind.
Sow seed shallowly in gentle heat in late spring and transplant toward midsummer, taking care not to disturb the roots. It likes a moist but well-drained soil and plenty of sun. Pinch out the tips of the shoots to prevent flowering and encourage bushy growth. Harvest by taking the larger, lower leaves first.
General Usage
In Italy and France, basil is used to make pesto or pistou sauce, in which it is crushed with garlic and pine kernels. The sauce may be served with spaghetti or stirred into soup.
The fresh and dried herb is antiseptic, sweet smelling, and relaxing and is used in bath and after-bath preparations. Frequently used in potpourri, it not only smells nice but also repels flies. The essential oil is very aromatic and is mainly used in soaps and perfumery.
Medicinal Usage
Medicinally, basil can be taken for chills, colds, and influenza where it has a stimulant action. For the digestion, basil is of great help in cases of stomach inflammation and abdominal cramps associated with menstruation. Basil is sometimes referred to as St. Joseph wort, not to be confused with St. John's wort.
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Directions
Take 1 capsule, 3 times daily, with meals.
Additional Information
TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium-quality, natural source products that use only the finest, purest and most potent ingredients found around the world. TerraVita is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All of our products are prepared with the highest elements of quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, up to and including the moment that the bottles or bags are sealed for freshness and shipped out to you. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
TerraVita exists to meet and ensure your family's health and wellness without the harmful effects or chemicals and prescription medications. We strive to make all of our products affordable and reliable and are constantly searching the market to maintain our affordability and to look for new ways to serve you and the ones you love. TerraVita has become a trusted household name for many families and can bring you and yours the very best herbal supplements, blends, teas and spices that are on the market today.
TerraVita is packed in childproof, tamper-proof pharmaceutical-grade recyclable containers.
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
