what plant does basil come from?
Basil UK: /ËbÃ¦zÉl/; US: /ËbeÉªzÉl/ (Ocimum basilicum), also called great basil or Saint-Joseph's-wort, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (mints). It is also called the king of herbs and the royal herb. The name basil comes from Greek Î²Î±ÏÎ¹Î»Î¹ÎºÏÎ½ ÏÏÏÏÎ½ (basilikÃ³n phutÃ³n), royal/kingly plant. Basil is possibly native to India, and has been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years.