General Properties

• analgesic
• antidepressant
• anti-inflammatory
• antiseptic
• antispasmodic
• decongestant
• expectorant
• stimulant

Description

Basil is an herb. Some of the countries where it is distilled are the USA, Europe and India. The leaves are steam distilled to create an oil that is yellow in color. Basil has been used throughout the ages for chest infections, digestive problems, as a brain stimulant (clears away those mental cobwebs!) and as an antispasmodic, making it wonderful in the treatment of bronchitis and whooping cough. It may be mixed into a massage oil and used in a gentle massage over the stomach to help ease many types of digestive problems. As an additive to the bath, Basil can have the tendency to make the skin tingle, which could be a problem for those with sensitive skin. When used on the skin, diluted in a carrier oil or in a skin cream or lotion, basil can help oily skin and acne. Basil takes its name from the Greek word for 'king' (basileum). This could be because the plant was so highly prized that it was considered "king among plants". It could also have been because it was in the ingredient list of an oil blended to anoint kings. This plant is still greatly valued in Greece, both for cooking and as a medicinal plant. This plant grows wild along many sunny Mediterranean hillsides.

Basil blends well with lavender, bergamot, clary sage and geranium. Its active principles include methylchavicol (40 to 50%) with linalol, cineol, eugenol, pinene and camphor. It should NOT be used when pregnant.

Specific Cautions

References

Information about this essential oil came from the following sources:

1. Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Fragrant Pharmacy. (Toronto: Bantam Books, 1990)
2. Davis, Patricia. Aromatherapy: An A-Z. (United Kingdom: Saffron Walden, 1988)
3. Tisserand, Robert and Tony Balacs. Essential Oil Safety. (Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1995)

Note and Disclaimer

The information and opinions provided here are for general educational purposes only and do not replace medical advice. It is your responsibility to consult a suitably qualified medical practitioner to ensure that you will not have any medical problems from any of our products.

Product Specifications