Basil, also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae. Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia. It is a tender plant and is used in cuisines worldwide.
Basil may provide health benefits in the diet, as herbal medicine, and as an essential oil.
Traditional uses include the treatment of snakebites, colds, and inflammation within nasal passages — a common effect of colds, for example.
Basil provides some macronutrients, such as calcium and vitamin K, as well as a range of antioxidants.