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Article: GODS BE PRAISED FOR FRESH BASIL'S BOUNTY.(LIFE & LEISURE)
- Article from:
- Albany Times Union (Albany, NY)
- Article date:
- August 23, 1995
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 Albany Times Union. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: JOYCE GEMPERLEIN Knight-Ridder
Prayers of apology are offered in India when certain types of basil are cut. It is sacred because legend has it that the god Vishnu came to earth in the form of this sweet, spicy and fragrant distant relative of mint.
Krishna and Rama tulasi, two types of basil, are worshiped in every Krishna, Vishnu and Rama temple and in many homes in India, writes Yamuna Devi, author of ``The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking'' (Dutton, $29.95).
In Haiti, fresh basil plants are offered to Erzulie, the voodoo goddess of love, according to Judith Benn Hurley, author of ``The Good Herb.'' (Morrow, $25).
In ...