Basil, Thai basil, or sweet basil, is a common name for the culinary herb Ocimum basilicum (UK /ˈbæzəl/; US /ˈbeɪzəl/) of the family Lamiaceae (mints), sometimes known as Saint Joseph's Wort in some English speaking countries.Basil is possibly native to India, and has been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years. It was thoroughly familiar to the Greek authors Theophrastus and Dioscorides.