A staple in Southern European food, basil has become one of the most widely used spices in the world. It adds a delicately sweet flavor and warm aroma to savory dishes, and naturally combines with garlic, capers and tomatoes. Today, basil's flavor and aroma still rules in the Mediterranean, where its mild flavor often combines with oregano to enhance almost any tomato-based dish. Fields of the large-leaved annual dot the landscape of the region.
It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals and can be used to prepare foods including soups.The leaves of the basil are also effective in reducing mouth ulcer and other infections of the mouth.