Also known as common basil, this type of basil is used mostly used in cuisines and also in medicines. Italian cuisines make the maximum use of this basil, and it is also used in Thai and Vietnamese cuisines. Their leaves are as tall as 2-3 inches and appear in bright green colour. It smells like a clove. In India, it is known by the name of Tulsi People suffering from arthritis can benefit a lot, when taken with food, as the basil is also equipped with anti-inflammatory properties.

A staple in Southern European food, basil has become one of the most widely used spices in the world. It adds a delicately sweet flavor and warm aroma to savory dishes, and naturally combines with garlic, capers and tomatoes. Today, basil's flavor and aroma still rules in the Mediterranean, where its mild flavor often combines with oregano to enhance almost any tomato-based dish. Fields of the large-leaved annual dot the landscape of the region.

Basil, an herb is generally known for its medicinal attributes. Leaves, flowers and the BasilSeedsare used in many medicines to treat different diseases. It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals and can be used to prepare foods including soups.

Insufficient Evidence for

• Diabetes. Some early research suggests that a holy basil leaf extract might decrease blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. 
• Common cold 
• Influenza ("the flu")
• Asthma 
• Bronchitis 
• Earache 
• Headache
• Stomach upset 
• Heart disease 
• Fever 
• Viral hepatitis 
• Malaria
• Tuberculosis 
• Mercury poisoning 
• Ringworm 
• An antidote to snake and scorpion bites