In Messina, there lived a young woman called Lisabetta. She had three brothers, all of them merchants, who expected her to marry well. But Lisabetta fell in love with Lorenzo who was poor and worked for her family. When her brothers found out about Lisabetta and Lorenzo, they killed him and told their sister that he had been sent abroad on business. Lisabetta, being left without a word from the man she loved and hoping for his return, called out to him each night until one night he answered.
Lorenzo’s ghost appeared before her and told her what had happened. He confided in her the place where his body was buried, too. And so, the next day, Lisabetta went to the spot and unearthed the dead Lorenzo. Unable to carry his body alone, she cut off his head, took it home, and buried it in a pot in which she planted basil.
Every day, she wept over the pot and her tears watered the basil which flourished. But Lisabetta grew weaker from grief. Eventually, her brothers discovered her secret. They took away the pot in which Lorenzo’s head was hidden. Lisabetta died shortly thereafter.
It is not only in Boccaccio’s story of Lisabetta that basil (ocimum basilicum L.) is associated with love. In both Italy and Romania, there is a custom of gifting basil as a proposal or displaying it in a window to indicate that the person living there is ready to receive suitors. The association of basil with love dates back to the Middle Ages when the plant was used as an ingredient in love spells.
In France, however, basil is more commonly seen in connection to the devil leading to the belief that it only grows well when it is cursed while planted. This belief dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans who thought that basil grew best when hated.
Basil as a Medicinal Plant
As basil contains the essential oils linalool, estragol, and eugenol which have antibiotic properties, it can be used to treat stomach cramps. It improves digestion and increases appetite. More than that, it helps to reduce fever, and—brewed as a tea—it might even be useful to treat insomnia. Externally, the juice of the leaves is beneficial to treat fungal infections of the skin and to ease the itching of insect bites.
Animal testing suggests that estragole is cancerogenic. It might therefore be prudent to avoid excessive consumption of basil. Yet, this does not mean that you should stop eating pesto pasta—the amounts of cooking in basil are entirely safe to consume.
Two Quick and Easy Basil Lemonades
Ingredients
For a liter of lemonade.
900 ml sparkling water
Juice of 1 ½ lemons
½ lemon, sliced
A handful (9-12) basil leaves
4-6 tbsp sugar (adjust to how sweet you would like the lemonade to be)
Ice cubes (optional)
A pinch of crushed black pepper
Steps
Muddle the lemon juice, basil leaves, and sugar in a pitcher or divided into glasses.
Add the black pepper—if you like.
Top up with sparkling water.
Serve with ice cubes and lemon slices.
Ingredients
For a liter of lemonade.
900 ml sparkling water
Juice of 1 ½ lemons
½ lemon, sliced
8-10 strawberries
A handful (9-12) basil leaves
4-6 tbsp sugar (adjust to how sweet you would like the lemonade to be)
Ice cubes (optional)
Steps
Muddle the lemon juice, strawberries, basil leaves, and sugar in a pitcher or divided into glasses.
Top up with sparkling water.
Serve with ice cubes and lemon slices.
Written by Merle Emrich.
Photos of lemonade by Merle Emrich.
Photo of basil by Jan Baborák.
Sources
Frohn, Birgit (2007) Lexikon der Heilpflanzen und ihrer Wirkstoffe, Weltbild: Augsburg.
Inkwright, Fez (2021) Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Shadow-Lives of Plants, Liminal 11.