Discover 6 Health Benefits of Basil Essential Oil 

There are numerous health benefits of basil essential oil making it a popular use in traditional medicine for centuries. Basil essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the basil plant, which is native to tropical regions of central Africa and Southeast Asia. Here are some of the ways in which basil essential oil can improve your overall health.

Basil essential oil is derived from an aromatic herb with ancient uses in food, medicine and ritual. It has long been associated with protection, prosperity and good health and has a variety of modern uses in aromatherapy, cosmetics and in the home.

This article will explore the many uses and benefits of this versatile essential oil, from its extraction process to its safety guidelines. We’ll explain how to store and use it, and the therapeutic benefits it can have on the mind and body.

Whether you’re looking for a natural remedy for an ailment, or a soothing addition to your bath, basil essential oil may be exactly what you need. Let’s take a closer look at its many uses and benefits.

What is Basil Essential Oil?

Basil is a very common household plant, ubiquitously found in small pots on terraces in Europe and North America. This is the commonly known sweet basil, with its broad, fleshy, aromatic leaves. We call it the sweet basil, but it has historically been known also as Saint-Joseph’s wort. Its scientific name is Ocimum basilicum.

Basil Essential Oil is a powerful oil derived from the Holy Basil plant. It is a pale yellow liquid with a sweet and spicy aroma. The oil is obtained through a process of steam distillation.

Basil Essential Oil is an excellent choice for those looking to improve their overall health and wellbeing. Not only is it effective in treating a variety of physical ailments, but its calming scent can help promote relaxation and reduce stress. Anyone looking to discover the magic of Basil Essential Oil should consult a qualified aromatherapist or doctor to ensure that they are using it safely and effectively.

Basil essential oil is a powerful natural remedy with a variety of uses. As an aromatherapy oil, it has a variety of calming, uplifting and energizing properties that make it a great addition to any home. It has antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic properties, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications in the health and wellness arena.

Health Benefits of Basil Essential Oil

Basil essential oil is an incredibly powerful and versatile oil, with a wide range of benefits. It has been used in traditional medicine and holistic healing practices for centuries due to its ability to help treat a variety of ailments, including digestive problems, headaches, and fever. It is also known to be an effective natural remedy for anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Basil essential oil has a calming aroma that can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties make it a great choice for treating cuts and wounds. Applying a few drops of the oil to a cotton ball and dabbing it on the affected area can help to cleanse, protect, and heal it.

Basil essential oil can also be used to keep pesky bugs away. It’s a natural repellent for many insects, including mosquitoes, gnats, and moths. You can dilute a few drops of the oil in water and spray it on your skin and clothes.

It has also been used to improve digestion and reduce inflammation in the digestive system. It can help to normalize stomach acid levels, aiding in digestion and improving the overall digestive process.

If you’re looking to improve your mental and emotional wellbeing, consider using Basil essential oil. The oil has been known to improve concentration and reduce mental fatigue. It can help to boost your energy levels and clarity of thought, allowing you to take on the day with more focus and energy.

Basil essential oil is a powerful and versatile oil with a wide range of benefits. From helping to treat digestive conditions, to reducing stress and anxiety levels, and even repelling bugs, Basil essential oil is a great addition to any natural health routine.

Health Benefits and Uses

Basil essential oil is a useful topical oil. It may be diluted into an oil-based medium and applied to the affected area for internal healing of various skin infections.

Acne

Because the antioxidants in some essential oils can help treat pimples, basil essential oil is among the few that have been proven to actually alleviate this issue.

A study used a combination of essential oil of orange (Citrus sinensis) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) for the treatment of acne. They were applied in a gel base made up of acetic acid. It were applied directly to acne lesions for eight weeks.

After eight weeks, the researchers managed to suppress 75 percent of the pustule. This is extremely important due to the fact there are few such research studies showing obvious, demonstrable improvement in acne. Such studies often spur pharmaceutical product patent applications, but they take a while to reach market. [5]

Natural Odor Eliminator and Cleaner

Originating from the basil herb, this essential oil is known for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties that make it an excellent choice for use as a natural odor eliminator and cleaner. When inhaled or applied topically, basil oil can help to purify the air around you while also promoting healthy skin.

One of the major benefits of using basil essential oil as an odor eliminator is that it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals or toxins like traditional commercial products do. This makes it a great choice for those who are looking to reduce their exposure to synthetic fragrances and other potentially harmful ingredients found in conventional cleaners.

Ringworm Infections

Basil essential oil can efficiently kill off the fungi that cause ringworm of the scalp (T. tonsurinum ), athlete s foot and jock itch (due to T. rubrum ), nail infections, and other similar varieties of ringworm (caused by E. flavescens ). It’s this antidermatophyte effects due to methyl chavicol and linalool in it. [2]

Basil essential oil can efficiently kill off the fungi that cause ringworm of the scalp (T. tonsurinum ), athlete s foot and jock itch (due to T. rubrum ), nail infections, and other similar varieties of ringworm (caused by E. flavescens ). It’s this antidermatophyte effects due to methyl chavicol and linalool in it. [2]

Insect Repellant

Basil essential oil, a natural insect repellant, is an effective and affordable option for keeping pesky bugs at bay. Basil is a commonly used herb in cooking and has been found to have several health benefits as well. The oil extracted from basil leaves can be used as an all-natural insecticide, making it a safe alternative to traditional chemical-based repellants.

Studies have shown that basil essential oil has the ability to ward off mosquitoes, flies, and other insects due to its strong odor. It contains compounds like eugenol and citronellol which are known to repel insects effectively. Using basil essential oil not only keeps pests away but also provides a pleasant aroma in your living spaces.

Aromatherapy

Health benefits of Basil essential oil are well known and use in aromatherapy. Its aroma is relaxing, stimulating, emotional, and anti‐inflammatory. One can conveniently diffuse it by placing a few drops on the water in a water-based diffuser and allowing the vapor to carry forward by itself. Essential oils containing linalool should not be diffused strongly.

Sweet basil has a mild, slightly aromatic scent that’s reminiscent of anise, giving its aroma a tropical feeling, but not very floral. It is beneficial for people suffering from respiratory issues, even to the point of promoting sleep in rhinitis. The anise like scent reduces inflammation and difficulty in breathing in rhinitis.

Basil essential oil has more than one use in aromatherapy, both as an effective anxiety reducer and also, thanks to its impact, as an anti-agitation remedy. It can help manage agitation and feelings of stress.[6]

Muscle Relaxant

What many people do not know is that the health benefits of basil essential oil include use as a muscle relaxant. One of the health benefits of basil essential oil is its ability to reduce muscle tension and stiffness. This makes it an excellent choice for athletes or anyone who suffers from sore muscles after exercise. When applied topically, basil essential oil helps to increase blood flow to the affected area, which promotes healing and reduces inflammation.

Another benefit of using basil essential oil as a muscle relaxant is its analgesic properties. This means that it can help to relieve pain associated with sore muscles, cramps, or other types of discomfort.

Safety and Precautions

Basil Essential Oil is considered to be safe when used in approved, diluted concentrations. However, it is important to take precautions when using any essential oil. This especially applies to Basil Essential Oil due to its potency and volatility.

Inhaling Basil Essential Oil should also be done with caution. While some may enjoy the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy, it is not safe to apply essential oils directly to the face or body. Always use caution when diffusing essential oils. Inhaling too much of the oil can cause dizziness, nausea, headache, and general discomfort.

It is important to always do a patch test before using any essential oils on the skin, including Basil Essential Oil. This involves placing a drop of diluted oil on the inside of your wrist and waiting at least 24 hours to see if there is any reaction. If skin irritation or redness occurs, dilution of a smaller concentration is necessary.

Pregnant and nursing women should avoid using Basil Essential Oil altogether. It is also important to avoid using Basil Essential Oil in the presence of small children or pets.

It is always best to consult a doctor before using Basil Essential Oil for any health related reasons. It is important to note that Basil Essential Oil is not a replacement for medical advice and should never be used as a substitute for any prescribed medication.

By being aware of safety and precautions, you can fully enjoy the benefits of Basil Essential Oil with peace of mind.

People taking medications for epilepsy or hypertension may want to speak to a physician about the use of a given kind of basil oil. Basil aromatic chemicals may often lead to interference with these types of medications.

For any essential oil, there is a risk of skin irritation, respiratory irritation and respiratory allergy. They should never be used undiluted on the skin. They should be kept far enough from the reach of children.

Storage and Shelf Life

It is important to store Basil Essential Oil properly to ensure it remains in its optimal state for as long as possible. As a general rule, Basil Essential Oil should always be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Additionally, to protect its potency and freshness, always use an air-tight container or bottle and make sure to keep the lid tightly closed when not in use. Basil Essential Oil can also be stored in the refrigerator, if necessary.

When stored properly, Basil Essential Oil typically has a shelf life of up to two years. To ensure it is still in its best condition, always make sure to check the expiration date before use and discard the bottle if the oil has passed its shelf life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Basil Essential Oil is a powerful and versatile natural remedy that can be used in many different ways. Its main uses include aromatherapy, cosmetic, household, and medical applications. It has several known benefits, including providing relief from muscle and joint pain, headaches, colds, and fever. It may also help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin tone.

References

1. Basil – new Crop fact sheet. Purdue University.
2. Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Diseases. Ane Orchard and Sandy van Vuuren, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017; 2017: 4517971.
3. Evaluation of the chemical composition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of distillate and residue fractions of sweet basil essential oil. Hailong Li et al, J Food Sci Technol. 2017 Jun; 54(7): 1882–1890.
4. Linalool – OilHealthBenefits.com
5. [Effectiveness of antimicrobial formulations for acne based on orange (Citrus sinensis) and sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L) essential oils]. Matiz. G et al, Biomedica. 2012 Jan-Mar;32(1):125-33.
6. Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review. Babar Ali et al, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine Volume 5, Issue 8, August 2015, Pages 601-611.
7. Basil Essential Oil – MountainRoseHerbs.
8. Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) from Western Ghats of North West Karnataka, India. Rakesh K. Joshi, Anc Sci Life. 2014 Jan-Mar; 33(3): 151–156.
9. Methyl cinnamate – PubChem.
10. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/public-statement-use-herbal-medicinal-products-containing-estragole_en.pdf