Meaning
The fragrant herb basil — grown in the yard and used both in cooking and, importantly, in Jamaican spiritual practice. Beyond flavouring food, basil is a key 'bush' for cleansing and protection: it is boiled or steeped to make basil water for spiritual baths, sprinkled to purify and drive off evil, and used in Revival and obeah-cleansing work to bring good fortune and ward off harm. Its sweet, strong scent is felt to carry a cleansing, protective power.
Examples
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Boil basil fi a cleansing bath.
Boil basil for a cleansing bath.
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Sprinkle basil water roun di house.
Sprinkle basil water around the house.
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She plant basil by di door fi protection.
She plants basil by the door for protection.
Origin
From English 'basil' (the herb); used in cooking and spiritual cleansing. See [[bush-bath]], [[balm-yard]].
How it’s used
The herb basil; used in cooking and in spiritual cleansing baths/protection. See [[balm-yard]], [[bush-tea]].