sivasakti.net - Sweet Basil and Wild Basil

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S W E E T B A S I L A N D W I L D B A S I L

BASIL is a herb with mystical valences, highly in use during the Middle Age. Basil is said to have grown out of an unfulfilled love.

A young and beautiful girl has died, leaving behind her desperate lover, who would go to her grave every day, shedding many tears. After a while, a flower grew on the grave. The boy's tears would wet the flower every day, until it blossomed and a nice perfume spread from it.

Its delicate and sensual perfume has made the basil a stimulant of sensuality. In Haiti, it is reputed for the association with Erzulie, the goddess of love.

The legend says that the wives who wish to "cure" their husband of infidelity should perform a ritual in which they powder the upper parts (their chest) of their body with basil.

The saying goes that the husbands will become faithful and loving. There are very few herbs so clearly associated with sex.

In the folk European tradition, basil is an important ingredient in the erotic rituals, and the Arab writers of the time mention it as a highly important aphrodisiac herb, as it enhances erotic passion, especially in the case of women. Its beneficial effects are not so easily perceptible in the case of men, but in about three months, they are said to be remarkable.

As a alimentary herb, basil is held in great esteem as well. Use fresh basil leaves as often as possible, but also dried leaves to spice your food. Tomatoes spices with chopped fresh basil leaves are known as "love-apples", while if used in olive oil and in combination with parsley, pine buds and cheese you may taste the reputed tonic 'pesto sauce'.

Another form in which you may use basil in order to benefit from its wonderful qualities is essential oil. You may add this essential oil in a regular massage oil, to make it an erotic massage oil. Sheikh Nefzawi, in his Perfumed Garden compares this delicate herb with a woman's body, explaining that 'both (herb and woman) have to be first stirred with the nails, to reach a high state of pleasure.

HERB'S DESCRIPTION: Common or Sweet Basil which is used in medicine and also for culinary purposes, especially in France, is a hairy, labiate plant, growing about 3 feet high.

The stem is obtusely quadrangular, the labiate flowers are white, in whorls in the axils of the leaves, the calyx with the upper lobe rounded and spreading.

The leaves, greyish-green beneath and dotted with dark oil cells, are opposite, 1 inch long and 1/3 inch broad, stalked and peculiarly smooth, soft and cool to the touch, and if slightly bruised exale a delightful scent of cloves.

USED PARTS: leaves, flowers, and seeds. It acts as a stimulant aphrodisiac.

RECIPES: Take sublingually powder made of blossomed ends of the dried herb, in quantities of 0.5-1.5 grams, every six hours, four times a day. Keep the powder under your tongue for 15-20 minutes, then swallow it with some water, and maybe honey. For its aphrodisiac effects, take 3-4 grams at one time, four hours before lovemaking.

WILD BASIL
PRUNELLA VULGARIS, fam LABIATAE=LAMIACEAE

HERB'S DESCRIPTION: Like most members of the mint family, Prunella has square stems and opposite leaves. A creeping perennial that forms low, dense mats of foliage. The stems may be erect or prostrate and range from two to fifteen inches high.

Stems are slightly hairy when young but become hairless with age. Leaves are one to four inches long and about 1/3 to 1/2 as wide as they are long. The pinkish to purple flowers are in short, dense spikes (one to two inches long) at the tops of the stems.

Wild basil, also known as self heal has reknowned aphrodisiac effects. Take sublingually powder made of blossomed ends and flowers of the dried herb, in quantities of 1-1.5 grams. Administer 4 to 6 times a day, for 5 months if you seek a long-time effect or take 3-4 grams at one time, four hours before lovemaking. Keep the powder under your tongue for 15-20 minutes, then swallow it with some water, and maybe honey.

Prepare the macerate made of wild basil adding 30-50 grams of herb into one liter of spring or mineral water. Drink 2-3 cups a day for the stimulation of the sexual function.