Basil Essential Oil
When you think of basil, you probably think Italian food seasonings more than health benefits, but the truth is, Basil essential oil is a very good solution to many common health problems and is used for medicinal and cosmetic problems by millions all over the world. It is an essential ingredient in many recipes and is used in Europe, Asia and even India, for cooking, but it also supplies some much-needed vitamins and minerals, as well as directly treating a number of health conditions. Understanding what Basil essential oil has to offer will allow you to add another essential oil your cabinets to aid in you and your family’s overall health.
The Basics about Basil Essential Oil
Basil essential oil is a little bit difficult to pin down because it comes in many different varieties and types and easily cross breeds and creates a new type of essential plant. Each one of these varieties may have different health benefits but there are two main types of basil that are now used to create the essential oil that is used by alternative healthcare providers and in aromatherapy. The scientific name for Basil is Ocimum basilicum, and it is a member of the mint family. This herb is found all over the world and is well known for adding flavor to food.
How is Basil Essential Oil Manufactured?
Generally, essential oil is manufactured through a distillation process where some part of the plant or tree is taken and minute amounts of oil are produced. Some essential oils use only the bark of a tree while others are made solely from the seeds of the plant that they are based upon.
Types of Basil Essential Oil
There are two different varieties of Basil essential oil that are currently being used. The first is known: equally as exotic basil, any comes from just one place called Reunion Island which is located in the Indian Ocean. The plant is grown there as well as distilled. European Basil essential oil is grown in both France and in the Americas.
How to Use Basil Essential Oil
There are a few different ways that you can use Basil essential oil. One of the most common ways that all essential oils are used is the aromatherapy route, which uses diffusion, diffusers are vaporizers for using aroma to treat headaches and help the person concentrate better, at least when it comes to Basil essential oil. Often, Basil essential oil is also added to bathwater which can help to relieve all sorts of pain including muscular, joint and premenstrual. It also helps treats gout and arthritis.
Composition of Basil Essential Oil
- a-pinene
- camphor
- linalool
- methyl chavicol
- camphene
- b-pinene
- myrcene
- methyl cinnamate
- limonene
- cis-ocimene
- y-terpineol
- citronellol
- geraniol
Aromatic Description of Basil Essential Oil
The aroma of Basil essential oil is somewhat spicy and it has a very mild leafy, herbaceous odor. However, it is also a very warm and inviting fragrance and it becomes even more attractive when it is mixed with carrier oils or other essential oils combined to make a unique aromatherapy fragrance.
Precautions & Side Effects of Basil Essential Oil
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the use of Basil essential oil. Nursing women who have used it claim that it increases milk flow but there is no research to confirm this and there is no information on whether or not it is safe for babies, so women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid Basil essential oil until there is more research available. In addition, like many other essential oils, you should avoid giving them to children and make sure that if you’re using them topically that they are diluted and are not going to cause skin irritation.
Attributes of Basil Essential Oil
Basil essential oil has a number of attributes that make up some of the standard ones that often are covered by essential oils. Besides those listed below, Basil essential oil is able to treat a variety of other problems both inside and outside the body because of the properties that it has. For example, Basil essential oil is good for skin care and stress, both of which can be part of cosmetic problems, as well as treating pain and curing stomach disorders such as nausea, vomiting, indigestion and even stomach infections. Basil essential oil also can help with respiratory problems and promotes good blood circulation.
| Attribute | X | Definition |
| analgesic | X | Reduces pain in muscles and joints |
| anti-infectious | Prevents infection | |
| anti-inflammatory | Reduces inflammation | |
| antibiotic | Keeps biotic infections from developing | |
| antidepressant | Helps to alleviate depression | |
| anti-neuralgic | Counteracts nerve pain | |
| anti-rheumatic | Counteracts pain from rheumatoid arthritis | |
| antiseptic | Prevents growth of organisms which cause disease | |
| antispasmodic | X | Prevents spasms from occurring |
| antiviral | Kills viral agents | |
| aphrodisiac | Increasing someone’s sexual desires | |
| bactericidal | X | Kills bacterial agents |
| carminative | Prevents formation of gas in the GI tract | |
| cholagogue | Assists with the discharge of bile | |
| cicatrisant | Assists in the formation of healthy scar tissue | |
| decongestant | Reduces or eliminates congestions of nasal cavities | |
| expectorant | Loosens mucous and helps clear it from the body | |
| digestive | Helps with the digestion of food | |
| emenagogue | Promotes healthy menstrual discharge | |
| febrifuge | Aids in the reduction of fever | |
| hepatic | Promotes healthy liver function | |
| hypotensive | Helps to lower blood pressure | |
| Insecticide | Kills certain types of insects or pests | |
| muscle relaxant | Relaxes tight muscles and prevents muscle spasms | |
| nervine | Reduces anxiety and calms the nerves | |
| sedative | Aids in calming or induces sleepiness | |
| stimulant | Increases physiological or nervous system activity | |
| stomachic | Aids in a healthy appetite or digestion | |
| sudorific | Promotes or aids in activation of sweat glands | |
| tonic | Tones the skin or muscles | |
| vermifuge | Kills parasitic worms |
What is Basil Essential Oil Primarily Used For?
When it comes to the primary applications for Basil essential oil, there are quite a few of them. The hair and the skin are two parts of the body that benefit tremendously from Basil essential oil. Cosmetic product manufacturers have already discovered the benefits of this essential oil and so you will find it in cosmetics that claim to tone your skin, which is something that Basil essential oil actually does. In addition, it will make your hair look shinier and healthier, full of body and luster. But Basil essential oils also good for inside the body as well. It prevents and heals illnesses like colds and flus and treats nearly a dozen different digestive issues.
Other Uses for Basil Essential Oils
Basil essential oil can also be used for some respiratory conditions. It also excels at treating cuts and bruises – mostly for the infection. When it comes to getting rid of infections, Basil is great for everything from skin infections like cellulitis, viral infections and even bladder or tooth infections. Basil can help with several different mental disorders like anxiety, depression and high levels of stress. Many people use Basil for its aromatherapy benefits. Finally, Basil essential oil is one of the best treatments for pain and itching around that comes from an insect bite or sting or another similar injury.
Recommended Combinations Involving Basil Essential Oil
When it comes to creating combinations with Basil essential oil there are several different oils that will mix well. Bergamot is always a good match for Basil as is clove, geranium, lemon, lime, juniper, rosemary, lavender and eucalyptus. In fact, you can match any essential oils that are similar to these. For example, you could match up Basil with Eucalyptus or wintergreen; you can choose just about any citrus fruit you’d like or you can go with cilantro, thyme, lemongrass or cypress. You can come up with your own mix-and-match combinations where you mix Basil with other essential oils to give you that perfect combination of health benefits that you need or with certain fragrances that will allow you to set the perfect mood for an aromatherapy session.
The Final Word on Basil Essential Oil
Basil is pretty incredible herbal healing and the essential oils that are made from basil are very potent and do amazing things when it comes to people’s health. When you have something that works as hard as Basil does, with health benefits that range from bites, scratches and bruises, to respiratory diseases, infections and colds, you simply have to have basil essential oil as part of your medicine cabinet. Just make sure that you are using it safely. Whether you are using basil essential oil for aromatherapy or for treatment for an illness you will be happy with the results.
