General: Upright grower with mauve-purple flowers. Rounded, thick, dark green leaves with a hint of red. Foliage smells like a combination of smells of peppermint and basil. Will grow in almost any soil type.

Culinary Uses: Basil mint can be made into pesto, used for flavoring in melon, tomatoes, fruit salad; flavored water as a cool refreshing drink in summer and a flavoring to sugar. In addition basil mint can be added to finely chopped leaves sparingly to potato salad, chicken stuffing, boil mint leaves with cabbage.

Medicinal Uses: As with most mints, basil mint is an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic, anti-flatulent, and stimulant. Tea made from a sprig of mint and boiling water can help ease digestion, relieve abdominal discomfort and stomach upsets. A more intense dosage of mint leaves made into tea can also help cleanse the liver and promote bile flow. The tea can be used as a gargle and mouth wash to clear mouth and gum infections and a cooled tea can make an excellent eye wash to remove dust and grit.

Ornamental Uses: Basil mint is an aromatic upright growing herb with narrow leaves and aroma that combines the scent of basil and mint.