Are Basil and Mentha Piperita in the same botanical family?

Yes — both belong to Lamiaceae.

Can you substitute Basil for Mentha Piperita?

They share the Lamiaceae family, so they can sometimes substitute in recipes — with notable differences in aroma.

Compare · per-herb profile

Basil vs Mentha Piperita

Ocimum basilicum · Mentha ×piperita

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

D No Clinical Evidence

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Ocimum
Primary use: culinary

Basil, also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (mints). It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide. In Western cuisine, the generic term "basil" refers to the variety also known as Genovese basil or sweet basil. Basil is native to tropical…

Mentha Piperita

Mentha ×piperita

D No Clinical Evidence

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Mentha
Primary use: culinary

Peppermint is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world. It is occasionally found in the wild with its parent species.

At a glance

· Both in Lamiaceae, but different genera (Ocimum vs Mentha).
· Both are primarily culinary.
· Evidence tiers — Basil: D; Mentha Piperita: D.