Essential Oil Database

Photo: Ocimum Basilicum

Sweet Basil

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Ocimum Basilicum

Family Name:

Lamiaceae

Source Country:

Australia

Plant Parts Used:

Leaves and flowers

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Linalool, cis-3-hexenol, fenchol, cineole, linalyl, fenchyl, menthyl, cinnamate, eugenol

Botanical Description

Photo: Ocimum Basilicum

Ocimum Basilicum is native to Asia, and is cultivated worldwide. It is a perennial herb commonly known as Basil growing between up to 130 cm tall. In cold winter climates Basil grows as an annual plant. There are many varieties of Basil including Mexican Spice Basil, African Blue Basil, East Indian Tree Basil, Wild Purple Basil and Sacred Thai Basil. The leaf ranges from green to purple in colour and flowers are produced on a stem.

Basil has strong religious significance in Hindu and western religious traditions, usually linked to assisting safe and successful journey to the afterlife.

Fresh Basil leaves are widely used in Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. Basil is also used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine.

Photo: Ocimum Basilicum

Fragrance

Basil varieties have distinctive scent including liquorice, cloves, cinnamon, camphor, lemon and lime. The essential oil is therefore of complex composition which is influenced by variety, climate, soil type and harvest time.

Sweet Basil essential oil is sweet, spicy and warm.

Sweet Basil essential oil is a pale green to yellow liquid.

Sweet Basil blends well with bergamot, black pepper, cedarwood, cypress, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, lavender, lemon, lime, and rosemary.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Ocimum Basilicum

Properties: Antidepressant, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cephalic, decongestant, digestive, expectorant, stimulant.

Aids: digestion, hypotension, immune system, stimulates blood flow.

Alleviates: anxiety, asthma, cough, colds, gastric spasm, hiccups, muscular aches and pains, nausea, sinus congestion, ulcers.

Sweet Basil is said to aid meditation and bring good luck and fortune. Sweet Basil is said to be useful in stimulating hair growth, relieving mental fatigue and respiratory disorders.

Safety Data

Avoid use if pregnant.

Avoid contact with skin for those with hypersensitive or skin problems.

Use moderately within normal therapeutic guidelines to avoid over-stimulation.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.