Basil essential oil is one of the most versatile and popular oils used in aromatherapy. Derived from the leaves of the basil plant, this oil has a rich, sweet aroma that makes it a favorite among many people. Basil essential oil is known for its numerous health benefits, including its ability to soothe sore muscles, reduce stress levels, and improve mental clarity.
Basil essential oil is a standard foundation in many aromatherapy recipes and can be widely used thanks to its refreshing, sharp smell and its widely known medicinal properties. It touts an impressive array of therapeutic applications. It is preferred by aromatherapists for blends that are beneficial to ease anxiety and sleep problems. Basil oil is very valuable for skin care purposes, such as treating acne and minor cuts. Apart from its medical uses, its unique aroma has a positive effect on the psyche.
Basil Essential Oil Basics
Basil is a very common household plant, ubiquitously found in small pots on terraces in Europe and North America. Basil is used to make sauces and salads, among other things, such as pesto. If young, fresh basil leaves are picked, washed, and chewed, they taste aromatic and bittersweet, with or without hints of anise or lavender.
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 known for its many therapeutic properties that can help both the body and mind in various ways. It is known to help improve concentration, reduce stress, boost energy levels, strengthen the immune system, and increase mental clarity. Additionally, it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial in treating a variety of skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Uses of Basil Essential Oil
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.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a great way to make use of the magic of Basil Essential Oil. When diffused, Basil Essential Oil can provide an uplifting and energizing aroma that will help you to reduce stress and improve your focus. The sweet, spicy scent of Basil Essential Oil has a calming effect and can be used to create a fresh and energizing atmosphere in your home or office.
Inhaling the scent of Basil Essential Oil can also promote healthy breathing and can provide relief from seasonal allergies. Try incorporating Basil Essential Oil in your daily aromatherapy routine and experience the soothing power of its amazing aroma.
Cosmetic Uses
Basil Essential Oil can bring a variety of benefits to your beauty routine. The anti-inflammatory properties of this oil can help to reduce puffiness and redness, while its antibacterial properties help to keep your skin feeling healthy and clear. It can also be used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as brighten the skin and reduce dullness.
When used as a hair treatment, Basil Essential Oil can help to add volume and luster and restore bounce. Additionally, it may be beneficial for those experiencing scalp itching or scalp conditions. To get the most out of your Basil Essential Oil, try diluting it in a carrier oil and massaging it into your skin and scalp or adding it to your favorite shampoo or conditioner.
Household Uses
When it comes to household uses, Basil Essential Oil is here to help! This incredible oil can be used as a non-toxic cleaner for your counters and surfaces. Diluting it in water is your best bet – two drops of essential oil for every cup of water – then spray the mixture onto the surfaces. Basil oil can also act as a natural insect repellent, making it a great addition to your home during the warm months.
Finally, diffusing Basil Essential Oil can provide a refreshing fragrance for your home and can even help to improve your mood and focus. With all of these wonderful uses, there’s no denying the magic of Basil Essential Oil!
Medical Uses of Basil Essential Oil
Basil essential oil has a wide range of applications in the medical world. It can be used to reduce muscle tension, encourage relaxation, and soothe nausea. Additionally, it can also be used to help enhance mental clarity, reduce stress, and even alleviate headaches.
Research has also suggested that this essential oil may help with bronchial respiratory ailments, such as congestion and coughs. Additionally, Basil Essential Oil is believed to have antimicrobial, antispasmodic, carminative, febrifuge, and stimulant properties, making it an ideal natural remedy for a multitude of brief medical conditions.
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.
Methods of Extraction of Basil Essential Oil
Basil essential oil is extracted from the leaves and flowers of the basil plant, typically through steam distillation. This process allows for the careful preservation of the natural; healing compounds of the plant. When the plant material is placed in a distillation container, hot water is then applied to the plant material, producing steam. As the steam rises, it carries with it the essential oils, which is then collected and separated from the water. This method is a time-tested and trusted method of extracting the most efficient dosage of essential oils from plants.
Given its fragrant aroma, and versatility, basil essential oil is also an incredibly popular ingredient in perfumes and colognes. It adds a slight spicy, sweet note to the scent, making it a great additive in all sorts of aromatic concoctions. The oil can also be found in many skin care products, as it is known to have strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Additionally, basil essential oil can be produced through solvent extraction. This method utilizes a course solvent, such as petroleum, to extract the oil from the plant material. The oil and the solvent are separated through a process known as ‘spinning’, which creates a powerful inhaling agent. This method of extraction has some major down sides, however. While the end result yields more oil than the more traditional steam distillation, the scent can be lost in the process, and it can be much more difficult to ensure purity in the oil.
When selecting basil essential oil, it is important to ensure that it has been extracted using the steam distillation method. The oil should be of a clear, light yellow color, and should possess a strong, sweet, spicy scent. High quality basil essential oil should also adhere to the standards set out by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for essential oils. This ensures that the oil has not been adulterated with synthetic components,and that it is of the highest quality.
Steam Distillation
Steam Distillation is an important process when it comes to obtaining essential oils from natural materials such as Basil Essential Oil. Through steam distillation, a steam is passed through the plant material to separate the essential oils from the plant’s water content and solids. The heat from the steam causes the essential oils to vaporize while the remaining plant material is left behind. unparalleled therapeutic properties.
Solvent Extraction
Solvent Extraction is the most traditional and commonly used method for producing Basil Essential Oil. This method involves the use of solvents, such as hexane, to extract the oil from the Basil leaves. The use of solvents provides a more concentrated form of oil with a higher purity rate. The extracted oil is then distilled to remove any remaining solvents and to purify the oil. The resulting oil is then ready to be used in aromatherapy and other applications.
Different Types of Basil
Basil has been identified all throughout the Mediterranean, but it originated in the rainforests of Africa and South East Asia. Another significant variety of basil which is employed to extract essential oil is the Egyptian basil. It is the same species as the European basil (Sweet basil), but its leaves produce significantly high quantities of linalool, which is what makes its smell resemble lavender. As lavender is also high in this same compound, linalool.
Another variety of Basil, Bulgarian Basil, is also known for its distinctive aroma once you cook it. It is also known as cinnamon basil because of this characteristic. The substance added to it by the leaves are its added cinnamon smell.
Perhaps the most medicinal aroma is given off by a lesser known variety called as the Reunion Island basil. This variety was created by cross breeding the common basil (Ocimum basilicum) with Ocimum kilimandscharium (camphor basil). The resultant hybrid has breathtakingly beautiful small blue leaves and when these leaves grow larger, they still retain blue veins. Its aroma is dominated by camphor which is what gives it a medicinal feel. [1]
Essential oils are mostly made up of yellow tones, with hints of green and white. The amber coloring of the base is characteristic of this type of oil but can be lighter. Aromal essence depends on chemical makeup.
| Sweet Basil (Genoese/European) | Ocimum basilicum | Strong herbaceous smell with hint of basil itself and anise as well |
| Egyptian basil | Ocimum basilicum type methyl chavicol | Strongly herbaceous smell with hint of tarragon |
| Bulgarian basil | Ocimum basilicum type methyl cinnamate | Sweet, spicy and herbaceous aroma with element of cinnamon |
| Thai basil | Ocimum basilicum var thyrsiflora | Basil aroma with overlays of anise |
| African Basil (Reunion Is.) | Ociumum basilicum x kilimandscharum | Camphoraceous aroma with mild hints of licorice sweetness |
We have focused mainly on Ocimum basilicum species of basil. Many may be knowing about other basil species, like the medicinally prominent Holy Basil. But these are separate species with markedly different properties from Sweet basil. Holy basil is Ocimum tenuiflorum and it is native to Indian subcontinent. Its range of medicinal effects is so diverse and concrete that it merits a separate analysis and stocktaking.
Bulgarian basil is rich in methyl cinnamate. This aromatic compound has usefulness in treating periodontal disease. Basil oil rich in methyl cinnamate (70%) was found to be effective at killing cervical cancer cells and larynx carcinoma cells in vitro studies. [9] Methyl cinnamate is also very common in food flavorings.
Egyptian basil and basil sweet contain the R form of linalool, similar to the form in lavender. Linalool helps to soothe anxiety and induce sleep, which is why lavender and its essential oil are so helpful in handling anxiety and improving sound sleep. Linalool makes it so basil essential oil is able to have many more benefits.[4]
Chemical Content
The proportion of volatile chemicals in essential oils of a variety of chemotypes of basil is very interest, scientifically. Research studies try to assign a particular health benefit to a particular chemical compound within a particular herb or a spice its called biologically active compound.
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is known for its high concentration of linalool and methyl chavicol. A portion of basil from the Indian subcontinent contained the following aromatic compounds.
| Volatile compound | Type | Percentage of essential oil |
| Methyl eugenol | Phenylpropanoid | 39.3 |
| Methyl chavicol | Phenylpropanoid | 38.3 |
| Terpinolene | Monoterpene | 7.7 |
| Eugenol | Alkylbenzene | 4.5 |
| 1,8-cineol | Monoterpenoid | 2.1 |
| cubenol | Sesquiterpene | 1.9 |
Source: 8
Linalool and methyl chavicol, two of the most eminent chemical substances associated with sweet basil essential oil, are largely present in sweet basil oil extracted from within the US. A very similar argument is made at Purdue University in reference to the sweet basil oil cultivated on the Purdue campus.
Scientists need to analyze the various compounds present in sweet basil essential oil as it constitutes the main supply of estragole in labs. This extremely fragrant compound is extensively utilized in fragrances and various food flavors. However, it’s still being studied for its potential carcinogenic and genotoxicity. However, the opinion of food safety agencies is that in reasonable doses, it poses no risk, as of current knowledge.
Safety, Side Effects 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.
The most important point to remember when using Basil Essential Oil is to always dilute it before use. Dilution can be achieved through a carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil or coconut oil. Tea tree oil can also work as a carrier oil. You should never use Basil Essential Oil undiluted on the skin or in your diffusers.
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.
A number of chemicals in basil essential oil are classified as potentially carcinogenic, and methyl chavicol is among these chemicals. In spite of this, the European Medicines Agency has exhaustively assessed its case, concluding that in the quantities found in some food additives, it does not pose a significant carcinogenic risk.
[10] In the same way, essential oils should remain scarce, and you should just be using a few drops daily. But there are limits. You must use the essential oil only if you’re healthy and only for short amounts of time, no more than ten or fifteen minutes. It should not be used regularly, through the year, like a daily routine. It should not be used near children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.As with any essential oil, there is always the risk of skin sensitivity, allergic reaction and irritation of the respiratory tract. They should never be used undiluted on the skin. They should be kept far away from the reach of children.
How to Store Basil Essential Oil
Basil Essential Oil is an incredibly versatile and potent oil that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine practices. If you have recently invested in a bottle of Basil Essential Oil, it is important to know how to store it properly so that it maintains its efficacy and remains usable for as long as possible.
The first step in storing your Basil Essential Oil is to transfer it into a dark, glass bottle with an airtight lid. This will protect the oil from light exposure which can cause the oil to degrade quickly. Additionally, storing the oil in this way will help prevent any air or moisture from entering the bottle which can cause contamination and oxidation.
Once you have transferred your basil essential oil into its new container, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators or stoves.
Keep in a safe place, a glass bottle with an amber-colored cap or cork is ideal. If you choose to store essential oils in the cooking area, make sure it’s far from heat sources. Avoid humid areas and direct sunlight, because this increase the oxidation and the essential oil can became useless and even quite harmful.
Conclusion
When using Basil Essential Oil, it’s important to take some safety and precautionary measures such as avoiding skin irritation, as well as avoiding its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Additionally, it is important to store it in a dark, cool place and use it within its shelf life.
Overall, Basil Essential Oil is a safe and effective natural remedy that can be used in many different ways. It is simple to use, easy to find, and can be used to improve your health and well-being. With its many uses, Basil Essential Oil is a magical oil that should not be overlooked.
References
- Basil – new Crop fact sheet. Purdue University.
- Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Diseases. Ane Orchard and Sandy van Vuuren, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017; 2017: 4517971.
- 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.
- Linalool – OilHealthBenefits.com
- [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.
- 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.
- Basil Essential Oil – MountainRoseHerbs.
- 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.
- Methyl cinnamate – PubChem.
- https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/public-statement-use-herbal-medicinal-products-containing-estragole_en.pdf
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