Wild basil is a perennial rhizomatous herb with square, upright, hairy stems and opposite pairs of leaves.

The leaves are hairy, ovate or lanceolate in shape, and have short or no stalks, wedge-shaped bases and bluntly-toothed margins.

The inflorescence is a terminal spike consisting of several loose whorls of clusters of flowers growing in the axils of the leaves.

[5] The leaves of wild basil are used as an aromatic herb in the preparation of food dishes and to make a herbal tea.

[4] This plant has traditionally been used as an astringent, a cardiac stimulant, an expectorant, to reduce flatulence and to increase perspiration.