Imagine an unassuming green leaf that has influenced civilizations, sparked spiritual debates, and maybe even had the power to create scorpions. In this episode, host Megan Brame takes a deep dive into the fascinating history of basil. From its ancient cultural significance in India and Egypt to its tumultuous reception in Greece and Rome, and bizarre associations involving scorpions and supernatural powers, discover how this ubiquitous herb became intertwined with human history. Whether you're a plant enthusiast or just curious about the stories we weave around our natural world, this episode will leave you with a newfound appreciation for basil.
Highlights:
Ancient Origins: Learn about basil's sacred roots in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and its spiritual importance to the Hindu gods Krishna and Vishnu.
Journey Through the Spice Routes: Basil's journey through the Middle East to the Western world and its role in Egyptian burial rituals.
Transformation in Greece and Rome: How basil's name might be tied to royalty or fearsome mythical creatures.
Christian Symbolism: The astonishing story of Empress Helena and basil's sacred status in Greek Orthodox tradition.
Worldwide Traditions: Basil as a symbol of love in Italy, a spiritual protector in West Africa, and a magical remedy in Jewish traditions.
Scorpion Myths: The bizarre beliefs associated with basil with scorpions, including the wild claims from European herbalists and folklorists.
Great Debates: The ongoing controversies about basil's medicinal properties and cultural significance through the ages.
Join Megan Brame as she unravels the captivating tales and surprising controversies surrounding this extraordinary plant. Explore how basil is much more than just an herb – it's a living part of our cultural history.
Sources:
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nparksbuzz/jan-issue-2021/gardening/basil---the-king-of-herbs
https://nutritionalgeography.faculty.ucdavis.edu/spices/basil/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/herbal-medicine
https://usbasilconsortium.rutgers.edu/all-about-basil/basil-history-and-culture/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8326315/
https://books.google.com/books/about/Astrological_Judgement_of_Diseases_from.html?id=dV40F_1e8WcC
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11655157/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8762307/
https://plantspecialists.com/blog/basil/
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/smallfarms/beauty-basil
https://cornellbotanicgardens.org/explore/exhibits/seeds-of-survival-and-celebration/featured-plants/african-basil/
https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/the-etymology-of-basil
https://blog.biodiversitylibrary.org/2017/06/a-pot-of-basil-in-every-household.html
https://academics.hamilton.edu/foodforthought/our_research_files/herbs.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gerard
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4488100/#sec2
https://www.missiodeicatholic.org/p/saint-hildegard-von-bingen-herbalist-fb5
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10237160/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7007616/
"Herbs, Spices, and Flavorings" by Tom Stobart
"A Modern Herbal Volume 1" Mrs. Maud Geiss
Tulsi stories:
https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/267/edited_volume/chapter/2703784
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulasi_in_Hinduism
The fantastic ancient herbal books:
John Gerard's Herball - https://archive.org/details/mobot31753000817749/page/548/mode/2up
John Parkinson's Theatricum Botanicum - https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/256142
Jan Baptist von Helmont's Ortus medicinae - https://archive.org/details/BIUSante_pharma_011695x01/page/n107/mode/2up
Nicholas Culpeper's The Complete Herbal - https://archive.org/details/b22009863/page/18/mode/2up
Culpeper's Astrological Judgement of Diseases - https://books.google.com/books/about/Astrological_Judgement_of_Diseases_from.html?id=dV40F_1e8WcC