Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Basil ~ Aphrodisiacs from A to Z

By Paul Goyette (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgoyette/201492949/)
[CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)],
via Wikimedia Commons
Basil has been a fave plant of mine since I was at (my second) college. I lived in a sort-of basement apartment which had a long row of windows. I grew pots and pots of basil plants on the sill and I just adored their scent. (And they appeared to thrive on the carbon monoxide I put out at them with my cigarette smoke.) ::shrugs::

Y U SO SEX-AY?
Well, there's the aforementioned delightful scent, which tends to boost the mood (and, potentially, the urge to merge). Also, basil is purported to promote the circulation of blood in the body (and when the blood's a-flowin', stuff be a-growin', nudge nudge, wink wink).

RECIPES

Click here to learn more about basil.

Sources

Blogging from A to Z April 2013

53 comments:

  1. I LOVE the smell of basil. One of my fave scents. But I never thought about it, "making stuff grow." haha. My husband does NOT need any help in that department. He still acts like we're newly married, which is sweet but sometimes a little tiring, if you get my drift. I'm going to follow your posts, make a list of the spices you feature, and then keep them all away from him. haha ;) Just kidding!

    On another note, how is the book coming? I never heard from you. Still working on edits?

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    1. A. That's super groovy that your husband's still all newleyweddish with you. I'm glad for your luck in that department!

      B. I'm in the home stretch! I was over-optimistic thinking I'd manage to wrap it up by the end of January when the winter/spring months are so stupidly crazed for me at my day job. But I'm almost done! How about you, what's your schedule looking like in a week or so?

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  2. Ooh, nice theme. Love it. The basil surprises me though - I never would have thought of it as an aphrodisiac!

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  3. Gosh this is lovely, and the stores are all going to sold out or lots of wives will be receiving herb gardens for Mother's Day gifts! :)

    Making my own list!

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  4. I never would have thunk it! Basil is an aphrodisiac! Well now, I'll have to run out and acquire a plant or two. My hubby won't know what hit him!

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  5. I had no idea basil was an aphrodisiac. I imagine there will be a run on the stuff after people read this post.

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  6. Basil. basil, how do I love thee? This is one of my fave spices and now I know why.

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  7. I've always loved basil, didn't know it got things a flowin and a growin, but hey I learned something. :)

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  8. I love these posts, wouldn't have expected basil to crop up!

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  9. I worked in a galley for a few years and whenever I was in a bad mood the chefs would wave a bunch of basil under my nose and calm would be restored.

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    1. More vindication that this stuff's not bogus! YAY! :-)

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    2. PS, Ida: I checked out your blog last night, I think, and got all onion-eyed reading your intro paragraph. It's like Jane Austen's Persuasion! Sorta. :-)

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  10. When I cook "Italian" (my version of it, anyway), I use basil. Some like oregano, but I rarely use that herb. Love this series! Can't wait to see more!

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  11. Hmmm....I did not know that *puts basil on the shopping list*

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  12. Basil...yum. Have some growing in my living room now as a matter of fact. ;)

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  13. Muh-wah-hahaha! A blogfest about 'erbs 'n' spices - t'riffic! I shall be sure to look into some of the recipes for future use... possibly ;)

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    1. Yay, Mark, you're back, you're back! (Your front!) (Just kidding, if you're married, which I forget whether you are. If you're single, I'll let it stand.) :-D

      Hey, it's not all gonna be herbs and spices; some stuff won't even be food! (For instance, "D" and "E," so tune in later!)

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  14. This is very good to know!! I LOVE basil. My husband and I had 5 different types growing on our balcony but have since moved. Now that we are in a new place, I will have to start the basil thing again...but as indoor plants this time!!!

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  15. i do not comprehend the term aphrodisiac as it relates to soup?

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    1. LOL. Well, you consume the supposed aphrodisiac in some form or other (hence, soup) and reap the wild wind, as the song goes. Meanwhile, tomatoes are another purported aphrodisiac, so double your pleasure. I guess. :-)

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  16. Hahaha awesome A to Z link.

    Never thought of basil as an aphrodisiac...

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  17. Didn't know this about basil. Have to add a few more dashes to the sauce.

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  18. I didn't know basil was an aphrodisiac. I'll have to remember that the next time I have Italian food.

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  19. Basil is so useful,I always have to have a supply of it in my kitchen! I guess that it's an even better thing to have on hand than I thought it was!

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  20. Haha I had no idea basil was this sexy! But yeah, love tomato and basil soup.

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  21. Basil...Fawlty? He's not so sexy - or, maybe he is - though my eye's always been on Polly. Hey! Returning a visit during this A-Z Blogging Challenge! Thanks for coming by! Cheers!

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    1. I was waiting for a Fawlty joke. Thanks! :-)

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  22. I read somewhere that basil represents money? Did you become mysteriously wealthy during your basil growing phase? Just wondering.

    Elizabeth Twist: Writer, Plague Enthusiast

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    1. Lord, no. I wish!!! Maybe I should've eaten some, rather than just smoked at it. :-)

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  23. Wow, never knew about basil! Hmm, maybe this is why my husband likes to make pesto in the summer in bulk quantity, ha ha. Love that you are including recipes too - genius!

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  24. I love the scent of Basil! I've not even thought about Basil Butter - sounds fabulous. Love the pizza and soup ideas. Great post!

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  25. Hmm! Learn something new every day. I happen to take blood thinners for life. Maybe some basil can help cut down on the thinners.

    Images by Bil
    Paintings and Sketches of the beauty that surrounds us.

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    1. Might be worth talking to your doc about, for sure. :-)

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  26. I've some basil growing on my windowsill as we speak - here's hoping it actually grows properly; at the moment it's looking kind of stunted :(

    Jamie @ Mithril Wisdom
    www.mithrilwisdom.com

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    1. The secret is carcinogens, Jamie. Trust me on this. :-D

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  27. Your freakin' terms are slaying me Mina!
    Dani @ Entertaining Interests
    #warriorminion

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  28. Howdy, all! Thanks for visiting, I'll visit back soon as I can!

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  29. I do love the smell of Basil, must sort out our plant.

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  30. Being part italian, I'm a big fan of basil. I will be posting my Stromboli recipe as part of the A-Z challenge. A few leaves mixed in with the rest of the ingredients does the business.

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  31. We love basil, from the smell to the taste... and now other things. ;)
    Dani & Jax @ Cover Girls

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  32. I love it too, ladies. Wish I had a sunny window sill on which to grow some now...

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  33. I absolutely LOVE basil! Especially on a nice tomato/(minimal) cheese pizza :)

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  34. Lots of pasta and pesto dishes it is for me then now! To be honest this dish and a nice spiced anise rum and I'm heading for a hormonal meltdown!

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