Basil Essential Oils

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

Help me choose:
There are many different species and subspecies of Basil oil, and also different chemotypes (the same plant with different chemical properties from different environments. These differ in their aroma and properties: the methyl chavicol chemotype has a spicy aroma with a distinct aniseed/licorice note;ÊBasil canum is fresh, herbaceous and camphoraceous;ÊHoly 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.

And here’s a short poem by Dr Jane Buckle to give you a feeling for the range of uses of this important oil:

A little Italian essential oil – that’s me
Just say ‘Are you Basilicum?’ and I’ll reply ‘Si!’
My green leaves, as pesto, you all love to eat
With tomatoes and onions, I am a real treat.
But, my essential oil is something quite rare.
It can help lessen depression – like it was never there!
I can repel mosquitoes and keep insects away
And some say, it keeps toenail fungus at bay.
My essential oil can energise your brain
So you might feel like twenty-one again.
Smell my greenness. Inhale my power.
And I might just bring you a good luck shower!

See also:

• Why choose Oshadhi?
• How to use essential oils
• The safe use of essential oils
• Download our free course on aromatherapy and essential oils