The basil controversy

Buckston & Huber's ALTERNATIVE

Thursday, September 23, 2010

DUE to popular demand we are reaching into our archives! Today we publish Buckston Harrison's contribution to the April 5, 2007 edition of Buckston and Huber's Alternative. Huber's contribution is current.

The history of basil, the rich herb of varying varieties, has significant value in Indian folklore. It is claimed that the plant is named after the Greek King, Basileus. So aromatic was its scent that it was fit for the house of the king and was used in regal ointments for the royal family.

Basil is sacred to the Hindu Gods Krishna and Vishnu and cherished in every Indian house. Its virtue to disinfect and purify the home of malodorous air, and as protection for the spirit of the family is invaluable to Hindus.

Sweet basil was found in the West Indies in 1789 and the botanical name given at the time was 'Ocimum americanum', derived from the Greek word for smell. The West Indian variety is so powerful that it is considered different from others of its kind.

An extract from this breed was used for diarrhoea and chest complaints, and an essential oil was also made from the plant. The closest variety discovered to this was 'Ocimum gratissiumum', cultivated in China as a culinary herb.

The other variety of Jamaican sweet basil (Ocimum basillicum) is used in medicine, and also for culinary purposes. An infusion of the herb in boiling water is good for all obstructions of the internal organs, it stops vomiting and it is good for nausea and food poisoning, while the fresh leaves — beaten into a poultice — is good for insect bites, when placed on the affeced area.

Other species of basil include 'O canum'; bush basil, Ocimum minumum; African Basil, O vride; out of wesern Africa, Calamintha clinopodium which grows throughout many areas of Jamaica; and wild basil Ocimum micranthum valued in folk remedy as the number one fever reliever when taken as a tea. It can also be used in the preparation of a herbal bath, along with lemon grass and woman piaba.

Buckston Harrison was well known for his work as a herbalist, especially in western Jamaica. He resided in Sheffield, Westmoreland until his untimely passing on Monday, March 22, 2010.

Huber's typical breakfast

Today I thought I might share a typical breakfast of mine over here in Switzerland where it is common to draw a bit of tea for starters.

Ingredients

* 4 leaves of sage

* 1 cup oats

* 1/4 cup coconut milk

* 1/2 dozen dried prunes

* 2 slices whole wheat bread

* Almond butter (optional)

Method

* Brew the sage

* Enjoy with any creative presentation of all the other ingredients

Thomas 'Bongo Tommy' Huber is a Swiss national who migrated to Westmoreland's Retrieve District over 10 years ago. He is a naturalist who lives off the land and is deeply involved in an ongoing effort to create Jamaica's next generation of exotic fruit trees.