Basil
Basil oil has a warm, spicy, yet herbal aroma which may help reduce anxious feelings. Basil oil provides great benefits to both the mind and body due to its high linalool content, making it an ideal application to help reduce feelings of tension when applied to the temples and back of the neck. Basil is commonly used in cooking to add a fresh, herbal flavor to meats, pastas, and entrée dishes, and it is also cooling to the skin. The aroma of Basil oil helps promote a sense of focus and a stress-relieving experience.
Botanical name: Oscimum basilicum
Distillation method: steam distilled
Plant part: leaves, stem, flowers
Note: middle-top
Scent: herbal, spicy, warm
Blends well with: Bergamot, Cypress, Siberian Fir, Geranium, Helichrysum, Lavender, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Peppermint, Wintergreen
- Energetic use: energizing, stimulating, boosting mental alertness and focus, rejuvenating and strengthening while creating an inner sense of calm and easing anxious feelings
- Skin: may help to keep the skin looking clean, clear, and healthy
- Digestive: may calm occasional stomach upset
- Culinary: adds wonderful flavor and may support digestive health
- Muscles/Joints: may support achy muscles and joints
- Body systems: may support the nervous system, digestive system, muscles and joints, respiratory system, and skin
Why Use Basil Essential Oil?
Basil essential Oil may…
- Soothe sore muscles and joints
- Support clear breathing
- Act as a cooling agent for the skin
- Promote mental alertness
- Lessen feelings of anxiousness
- Enhance memory and concentration
- Reduce stress and tension
- Reduce head tension when applied to temples and back of neck
- Soothe minor irritations
- Sharpen focus while studying or reading
- Soothe minor skin irritations
Main Precautions for Basil Essential Oil:
- do not use during pregnancy
- do not use when suffering from epilepsy
- dilute when using topically (may irritate skin)
Commonly used (always adhere to label instructions of your essential oils):
- aromatic
- topical
- internal
Learn more about using Essential Oils:
Learn More About Basil Essential Oil
One of Basil’s most prominent chemical components is linalool. Linalool is a natural chemical found in a variety of plants and flowers. High linalool content in both plants and flowers has the unique ability to help relax the mind and body, especially when concentrated into an essential oil. The linalool found in the basil plant and Basil essential oil is known for its ability to reduce feelings of tension and sadness when ingested. Scientists in Mexico City recently found that linalool affects the monoaminergic system of the brain, which includes such familiar neurotransmitters as serotonin and dopamine, and the adrenaline/noradrenaline adrenergic system.* Linalool is extremely effective on these neurotransmitters because it acts on multiple receptors in this monoaminergic system. When substances like linalool target multiple receptors, they are more potent and longer lasting than molecules that only target one receptor. Because linalool supports brain chemistry balance in these receptors, it reduces sad feelings.3* The high linalool content in basil plants and Basil oil provides a great natural solution for balancing mood and reducing sad moods.
Read more about Basil Essential Oil in this Spotlight Article
If you are interested in growing fresh Basil indoors, please read this article from DIY Home offering some great tips.
Disclaimer
The information presented is for educational purposes only and not intended as a substitute for medical counseling. While Basil essential oil has been studied to show support for the body systems mentioned above, it is not a substitute for medication and the statements made above have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.