Sweet Basil Essential Oil (Ocimum basilicum)

Method of Extraction: Steam Distillation.

Plant Part Used: Leaves and Flowers/Buds.

Color: Clear.

Consistency: Thin.

Perfumery Note: Top.

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium.

Aromatic Description: Smells sweet, herbaceous and somewhat licorice-like.

• Bronchitis.
• Colds.
• Coughs.
• Exhaustion.
• Flatulence.
• Flu.
• Gout.
• Insect Bites.
• Insect Repellent.
• Muscle Aches.
• Rheumatism.
• Sinusitis.

Source: Julia Lawless, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Updated Edition) (London: Harper Thorsons, 2014), 45-46.

Adults: Usually, a 2-3% dilution is suitable, about 12-18 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.

Children (5-10), Frail Elderly, Sensitive Skin: A lower dilution of 1% or less (6 drops per ounce).

Facial or Sensitive Areas: Use a 0.5-1% dilution (3-6 drops per ounce).

Acute or Short-Term Use: For resolving a specific issue, a marginally higher dilution can be used for a period of 2-3 weeks as necessary.

Linalool. Fenchol. Eugenol. Methyl Chavicol. Beta-Caryophyllene.

Source: Shirley Price, The Aromatherapy Workbook (Hammersmith, London: Thorsons, 1993), 54-55.

Use Basil Oil sparingly and with caution. High doses may be carcinogenic especially for those basils that contain a significant amount of methyl chavicol (Eugenole). Tisserand and Young suggest a dermal maximum of 15% if the estragole content does not exceed 0.8%.

Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 208.]

Avoid Basil Oil during pregnancy. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 186.]