GROWING: Basil is an annual and completes it's life cycle after one growing season. Plant your basil seeds or seedlings after the soil warms up to 50 degrees or more. Basil is a sun loving plant, so plant it somewhere with 6 to 8 hours a day of full sun. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep, 10-12 inches apart in moist and well-drained soil, and water daily until your seeds have sprouted. After your basil plant has grown six leaves, prune the plant to above the second set of leaves; every time a branch has six to eight leaves, prune back to first set of leaves. As the basil grows, it will develop little flower heads - pinch these off as soon as they appear, or the leaves will become leathery and bitter. Tomatoes are great neighbors for basil plants in the garden - they both taste great and grow well together. Harvest your basil before the first frost - basil is easily killed by cold weather. Basil types include: sweet basil, purple basil, lemon basil and Thai basil.
HARVESTING: Once your basil is 6-8 inches tall, pick leaves regularly to encourage growth, even if you don't plan on using them. Six basil plants should be able to produce 2-3 cups of leaves a week. The best way to store basil is by freezing it - this will prevent flavor loss. You can also dry basil. Place the leaves in a well-ventilated, shady area, or dry in the oven on low heat.
USE: Sweet basil is commonly used in Italian dishes - in pasta dishes, as the base for pesto, on pizza, and will mozzarella and tomatoes. Thai basil is commonly used in curries and other Thai and Vietnamese dishes. Medicinally, basil is good for a host of things. Basil contains beta-caryophyllene, which could be useful in treating arthritis. Basil has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can be a remedy for headaches. It can also strengthen the digestive and nervous system. Basil may also help to manage depression and anxiety, balance the bodies pH levels, and feed healthy gut microflora. A paste of basil leaves, sandalwood and rose water can be used to reduce skin acne.