You should never remove the leaves from a basil plant this way: this will kill it immediately. Here’s the expert technique that will save your herb.
How beautiful and fragrant are basil plants ? A feast for the eyes and the senses! Yet, almost no one manages to care for them properly. Be careful with basil leaves ! If you tear them off this way, the plant dies immediately.
Basil plant: characteristics and properties
Originally from India , a continent where it is still attributed medical and miraculous virtues today , the basil plant arrived in Europe, first in Greece, more than 2,500 years ago.
Belonging to the Labiate family , its scientific name is Ocinum basilicum . Little curiosity: do you know why in the West it is called the “royal plant” ?
Basil plant
Legend has it that Elena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, found the Holy Cross in a ground covered with basil plants. Since ancient times, basil leaves have been used not only for therapeutic purposes.
The Egyptians , for example, used this plant during their embalming processes while in the late Middle Ages this plant was used to treat the evil eye, colds and contractions during pregnancy.
Today, we use basil and its leaves primarily in cooking, but its countless properties make this plant incredible for other purposes as well. Have you ever tried basil essential oil ? It’s perfect for treating gastric and digestive disorders and relieving physical fatigue.
How is basil grown? Simply plant the seeds in a vase , then cover with soil and natural fertilizers to accelerate their growth.
Basil requires moist soil , but be careful of standing water : if you water it more than necessary, you risk wilting it in a few hours. If you also have a basil plant at home or in the garden, you will probably tear off some leaves if necessary to season your dishes or to prepare decoctions.
Are you sure you know how to pick a basil leaf? Be careful: if you pull it off this way, you’ll kill your plant.
You will never have to pluck the leaves off the basil plant like this
If you too are in the habit of simply plucking individual leaves from your beautiful basil plant and then using them, keep reading: you’re doing it all wrong!
You should never strip the leaves off the basil plant like this , or it will die. So what’s the best way to get the leaves off this super fragrant plant without causing damage?
Here’s what experts say about the perfect pruning technique : simply cut off a twig with scissors, usually with 4 leaves attached.
The right technique for picking basil leaves
By doing this, our basil plant will not die , on the contrary, it will also have time to grow a new branch with new leaves in the severed part. Be careful never to cut the lower branches , those close to the root, but always cut the highest ones.
Did you know that you can also change the flavor of your basil leaves ? Simply trim the tips that appear on the flower stems of your plant and absorb some important nutritional properties , ensuring that the taste of the basil is altered.
We’ll also reveal another secret that will surely be useful to you if you’re a fan of aromatic herbs: never grow basil and sage plants together, or at least close together: they would both end up dying.
Basil needs well-drained, moist soil . Sage, on the other hand, thrives in dry soil.
All the beneficial properties of basil
Basil is an incredible plant that is used for more than just flavoring dishes and meals . Its leaves can also be used for therapeutic purposes. Scientific studies have shown that regular consumption of basil leaves helps:
keep mood swings under control;
heal wounds;
fight against feelings of fatigue and exhaustion;
relieve abdominal pain and cramps;
soothe skin redness;
cleanse the skin of pimples and impurities.
As you can read, basil really has many virtues that are useful to our body in many situations. You can consume its fresh leaves , you can make a decoction or a skin wrap.
The leaves of this plant are amazing when used correctly. Now that you have also learned the correct technique to prune them without damaging the plant , all that remains is to take advantage of all the beneficial properties that this incredible jewel of nature gives to our body.