Basil Essential Oil

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum
Common Method Of Extraction: Steam distillation
Parts Used: Leaves and flowering tops
Note Classification: Top
Aroma: Warm, spicy, and herbal
Largest Producing Countries: USA, France, Italy, Egypt, Bulgaria, and Hungary

Traditional Use: Used in ayurvedic medicine to treat respiratory problems such as bronchitis, coughs, colds, asthma, flu, and as an antidote to insect or snakebites.  It has also been used for fever and in epidemics such as malaria.

Properties: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cephalic, digestive, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, nervine, stimulant of the adrenal cortex, stomachic, sudorific, and tonic.

Benefits: Bronchitis, cold (chronic), cramps, depression, dyspepsia, earache, epilepsy, fainting, fevers, flatulence, gout, hiccough, hysteria, insect bites and repellant, insomnia, mental fatigue, migraine, muscle aches and pains, nausea, nervous tension, nerve tonic, rheumatism, scanty periods, sinusitis, vomiting, wounds, and whooping cough.  Stimulates hair growth and is applied externally to the skin to stimulate a sluggish complexion.  Can help reduce cellulite and control acne.  Basil can help slow down and relax the minds of children with ADD when used in a diffuser.

Blends Well With: Bergamot, black pepper, cedarwood, chamomile roman, citronella, clary sage, coriander, cypress, eucalyptus (all), fennel, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, hyssop, juniper, lavender, lemon, lime, marjoram, niaouli, oakmoss, opopanax, orange, oregano, palmarosa, pine, rosemary, sage, tea tree, and thyme linalool.

Of Interest: Ancient Greeks considered basil to be the “king of plants”.  It is sacred to Krishna and Vishnu.  It is said that every good Hindu places a basil leaf on his/her chest when resting.  Italian women placed basil plants on their balconies to alert suitors to their availability; a man would give a woman a sprig of basil in the hope that she would fall in love with him.

Safety Data: Avoid during pregnancy, skin irritant (dilute before using externally), It may trigger epileptic seizures in susceptible individuals.

 

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Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate.

As with all essential oils, never use them undiluted. Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children. If applying an essential oil to your skin always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body (after you have properly diluted the oil in an appropriate carrier.