Scent leaves is used in enormous quantities, in whole leaves and sprigs, in many types of dishes, including curries, stir-fried dishes, salads and soups. The flower buds are also edible, adding a wonderful floral bouquet. You can root a fresh stem easily by placing it in a glass of water outside the refrigerator. As with many leafy herbs, this basil can be kept fresh by placing it in a glass with the cut ends in water, covering it with a plastic bag and storing it in the refrigerator. You can also wrap the herbs in paper towels before bagging them in plastic for refrigerating. They will stay fresh for about a week.