Basil, called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae .
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12 Facts About Basil
2.
Basil is native to tropical regions from Central Africa to Southeast Asia.
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3.
Basil is an annual, or sometimes perennial, herb used for its leaves.
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5.
Basil is sensitive to cold, with best growth in hot, dry conditions.
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6.
Basil plants require regular watering, but not as much attention as is needed in other climates.
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7.
Basil can be propagated reliably from cuttings with the stems of short cuttings suspended in water for two weeks or until roots develop.
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8.
Basil suffers from several plant pathogens that can ruin the crop and reduce yield.
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9.
Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto, an Italian sauce with olive oil and basil as its primary ingredients.
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10.
Basil is commonly steeped in cream or milk to create flavor in ice cream or chocolate truffles.
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11.
Basil is used in folk medicine practices, such as those of Ayurveda or traditional Chinese medicine.
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12.
Basil has religious significance in the Greek Orthodox Church, where it is used to sprinkle holy water.
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