Of Herbs & Greens

Want to know more about this magical plant? Welcome to my Historia Plantarum post, where I tell you about a specific plant and how you can use it in your craft! Let’s jump right in <3!

Short & Sweet

~ Basil is classified as an herb; its botanical name is Ocimum basilicum
~ Its elemental energies are fire and water
~ Astrological energies are Mars, Aries, and Scorpio.
~ Its magical properties include wealth, success, beauty, luck, love, protection, happiness, luck while traveling, & reconciliation.

Green Witchcraft By Paige Vanderbeck

It is believed that basil was initially cultivated in India, and some sources cite Asia or Africa as the origin of this wonderous herb. No matter its origin, this plant was grown and used all over the ancient world and is still a significant part of the world today.

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History & Ancient Uses

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an annual of the mint family (Lamiaceae) plants grown for its aromatic leaves for at least 5,000 years. The name for basil comes from the Latin word Basilius and the Greek word Basileios, “kingly, royal.” Holy Basil, also called Tulsi, meaning “matchless” in Hindi or Tulasi in Sanskrit, indeed originates from India and is revered as an herb sacred to the goddess Lakshmi, wife of Vishnu, the god who preserves life. It is believed that Lakshmi would bring prosperity, protection and good luck to those that cultivate it¹. It is also used in prayer and worship in India and is an essential facet of Hindu culture. It is commonly planted around temples and courtyards in India for this reason.

Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum syn. O. sanctum [Lamiaceae]) and Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) have many medicinal properties that have been noted², as well as magical properties. Ancient Egyptians used basil to help embalm their dead, seeing it have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties to help do so. Ancient Greeks saw basil as a magical herb associated with the dead. They associated it with the dead because they would place basil in their deceased’s hands to help give them safe travels into the afterlife.

Romans associated it with the goddess Venus (and thinking basil seeds had aphrodisiac properties) and saw that it should be harvested using only precise rituals. These rituals might’ve inspired the rituals seen in the Middle Ages to harvest the plant. In the Middle Ages, basil was used for exorcisms to drive away possessions, and it was believed basil performed miracles for pestilence and physical weakness³. It has also been used in folk medicine practices, such as traditional Chinese medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, it was used, among other things, for stomach cramps and dispersing colds⁴.

Modern uses

Holy basil has been seen to help with reducing fevers, helping with bronchitis asthma, reducing stress, as well as helping with mouth ulcers⁵. The parts used for medicinal/magical properties grow above the soil, also known as the Aerial parts. You probably think of the leaves when you picture basil, but it also grows flowers in many varieties. The basil leaves are used in many different cultures dishes, such as Greek, Italian, Chinese, and Southeast Asia; it is, however, used worldwide.

It has many benefits in medicinal uses, and even adding it to your meals can add many vitamins (such as Vitamin A, K, and C) and nutrients (antioxidants) for good health. It can boost metabolism, prevent inflammation, and lower blood sugar. It can also reduce blood pressure in those with hypertension, relax the blood vessels, and thin your blood, similar to aspirin. As aromatherapy, it can increase mental alertness and reduce stress, such as with peppermint or eucalyptus. When chewed, it can help prevent the growth of bacteria that causes dental decay, too⁶. Basil leaves can be chewed/crushed and then put onto bug bites as a paste to help reduce inflammation and itchiness, thanks to anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Note: Do not use it for medicinal purposes if pregnant or trying to become pregnant, or at least exercise caution.

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Magical Uses

Some handy-dandy uses for basil can include (magical, and non-magical):

• Hang dried basil above doorways to protect your home for protection.
  • Plant basil along your house’s perimeter, too! Or keep a plant in the kitchen for quick use. 🙂
• Steam basil in a pot over a stove and breathe in the aromas (carefully!) for a spell by air and water, or helping reduce stress via aromas. Use other herbs like lavender in the pot for a magical spell that smells lovely.
  • It can also be used this way to combat colds!
• Add basil to regular water or sweet juice for an easy boost in success for the day!
• Keep a leaf in your wallet to draw success and money.
• Use spell jars or sachets to bring success or wealth or even for protection; keep one in a car.
• Use basil in mop water/water to clean to draw success to your household.
  • Use it in a spray bottle to help rid of bacteria and fungal activities in an area!
• Basil can be used for spells for protection, wealth, success, and beauty, for some ideas.

Why not use Basil in kitchen witchery? Use ideas from and make Italian or Greek dishes to boost whatever spell property you want! Recipes could include an Herb-loaded Chicken Noodle Soup (protection from illness! Success in any endeavor!) Chopped Salad (use other excellent greens for a truly potent meal to enhance one’s beauty!) or even Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls (use the different ingredients in harmony)! What recipe could you use in a kitchen witch way?

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Conclusion

There are many ways to use basil in witchcraft, but I think knowing a little of its uses in history recent and farther back can help, too. How do you plan on using basil in the near future? A neat recipe of kitchen witchery, or even a success spell sachet? I hope whichever way you play to use it, that your spell is successful 😉 Leave a comment below with your own experiences of using basil, I’d love to hear them!

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Bibliography & Further Reading

Footnotes

1. Significance of Tulsi (Holy Basil) in Indian Culture ↩︎
2. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chavallier (pp. 116, 241) ↩︎
3. Sacred Plant of Eternal Love and Healing: The Mythology and Magic of Basil ↩︎
4. Chemical components and pharmacological benefits of Basil (Ocimum basilicum): a review ↩︎
5. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chavallier ↩︎
6. Basil: Nutrition, Health Benefits, Uses and More ↩︎