Basil Essential Oils

Basil has a warm, sweet, spicy rich aroma. It has a tonifying and reviving effect on the nervous system which makes it excellent for reviving a tired mind or if you are in need of a boost. It is a wonderful digestive, and may be diluted with a carrier oil and rubbed into the abdomen. It has a supportive action on the respiratory tract, so it can be used in inhalers or room diffusers.

Basil also has excellent antiseptic properties which make it an ideal support for general good health. It blends particularly well with, Lavender, Bergamot, Camomile, Clary Sage, Geranium, Lemongrass, Marjoram and Rose.

There are many different species and subspecies of Basil oil, and also different chemotypes (the same plant with different chemical properties) from different parts of the world. These differ in their scent and properties: the methyl chavicol chemotype has a spicy aroma with a distinct aniseed/licorice note; Basil canum is fresh, herbaceous and camphoraceous; Holy Basil has a warm, clove-like aroma; Sweet Basil (the linalol chemotype) is light and fresh with a gentle aniseed note (much like fresh basil); the methyl cinnamate type smells delightfully like strawberries and Basil Pungent is deep, woody and smoky.