Sweet Basil (aka St. Johns Wort)

We often include Sweet Basil, in our herb garden. Some of the reasons we include this herb, is for the aromatic smell, it helps keep mosquito's at bay, and is a wonderful herb in my homemade Spaghetti Sauce! I can harvest it fresh throughout the growing season, and I can either freeze or dry it with ease. I prefer it fresh, or frozen, but I usually dry towards the end of the season. I make sure to pick off any unhealthy leaves, and to wash in salt water, and let it soak for a few minutes. The soak, kills any insects that may have been in the plant at the time of harvest. I drain the water, and wash individual stems, before tying the bunches. I use cotton sewing thread, and wrap a length somewhat tightly around the stem end. Then I take it outside, and shake off any missed insects and excess water, before hanging in my home. I choose a place that has little light, for drying. Making sure my bunches are loose and air can pass through the leaves, and also I bunch in 6 to 8 stems, depending upon the thickness of the bunch. Large bunches, do not dry as well. This gives my home a nice herbal aroma during the drying time, which is 2 to 3 weeks.

Sweet Basil, is also called St John's Wort, in some English speaking countries, and is know as a mood enhancer among many other benefits. It contains antioxidant, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. Sweet Basil is a good source of Vitamins A and K, minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, magnesium and iron.

It is known as a holy herb, among many nations. For more on this herb, please see: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/basil-herb.html