Which is the most calming herb

A.� The essential oils in basil make it one of the most calming and mood-enhancing of all the culinary herbs. It is derived from India, travelled to the Middle East, and only arrived in Europe about 500 years ago.� Folklore suggests basil grew around Christ's tomb after he rose from the dead.

�

Q.� How do you keep basil

A.� Many chefs like to keep a pot on the window sill in the kitchen. It's a difficult herb to grow, however. It's quite sensitive to temperature changes and demands to be watered at the right time each day. Once you've got it going, you need to keep picking out yoiung stems to encourage new growth. It's too tender to go outside during the winter, and many supermarket pots don't stay alive for more than a week. Buying it fresh is possibly your only answer, but there are lots of uses. There are many different varieties, including purple basil, which is great added to spaghetti, olive oil and good Parmesan.

�

Q.� What would be a good dish to help you relax

A.� Try something in which the aromatic oils of basil are released. This recipe, from Michael van Straten's Good Mood Food, is called Peacemeal.

�

450g/ 1 lb whitebait

175g/ 6oz fine oatmeal seasoned with salt, pepper and a little dill

rape-seed oil, enough to fill a frying pan

20 basil leaves, finely torn

150ml/ 5 fl oz mayonnaise

1 lemon, quartered

�

Wash the whitebait and roll in seasoned oatmeal. In a large frying pan, heat the oil and fry the fish in batches until slightly crisp. Keep each batch warm as you fry the other. Mix the basil into the mayonnaise, spoon into small ramekins. Serve the fish garnished with lemon wedges and with the herb mayonnaise for dipping.

�

Q.� What other herbs have a calming effect

A. The borneol from rosemary is said to bring inner happiness and peace. Many civilisations have used the power of spices to alter moods. Mint is said to induce feelings of happiness and Chinese traditional herbalists have long since recognised the power of herbs and spices to heal and soothe. Garam masala, a mix of cinnamon, bay leaves, cumin, coriander, cloves, mace, nutmeg and black pepper, is a basic spice ubiquitous to Indian cuisine. Some areas add fenugreek, mustard seeds, cardamon and chillies, and the spice mixture is said to contain anti-stress ingredients.

�

For more food and drink questions and answers, click here

�

By Katharine MacColl