Basil

Basil is name of a herb native to tropical Asia. It is an aromatic plant belonging to the mint family. It yields annually. The leaves of this plant are also called basil, that are used in some medicinal preparations, and also as culinary herb in Mediterranean dishes. It belongs to the genus Ocimum, and the family Labiatae. The common "sweet basil" (Ocimum basilicum) and the low-growing, compact "bush basil" (Ocimum minimum) are notable among its several species.