Basil Oil

Basil Oil

Basil oil is a good source of Vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, iron, and calcium. The other health benefits of basil essential oil are its ability to treat nausea, motion sickness, indigestion, constipation, respiratory problems and to an extent, diabetes. The herb Basil is extensively used in Ayurveda (an ancient healing system in India) to treat ailments like diarrhea, coughs and mucous discharges, constipation and indigestion, and skin diseases. It is a revered herb in India associated with Krishna and Vishnu, and in fact the leaves are considered so auspicious that they are often chewed before taking part in Hindu religious ceremonies.

Its botanical name is Ocimum bassillicum L. It is also known as European, French, common or sweet basil. Basilicum comes from the Greek word 'Basilicos' meaning 'king' or 'royal'.

Due to its refreshing effect aroma therapists often use basil oil to provide relief for many stress-related disorders such as migraine, mental fatigue, nervous tension and mental abstractedness. It also increases metabolism by improving the blood flow in the body. Since its analgesic nature it provides comforting relief from pain due to arthritis, bruises and scars, burns and other injuries; it is also effective during headaches. During motion sickness the basil essential oil can be used as an anti-vomiting agent. Aside from these the basil essential oil can also bring about relief from bites and stings from various insects.

The oil is pale greenish-yellow in colour and has a watery viscosity.

These days basil is grown or cultivated throughout Europe and the USA but it originally comes from tropical Asia and the Pacific Islands. The colour of the flowers is usually white or pink and it depends on the kind of bees that swarm the plants during summer.

Due to its outstandingly appetizing aroma the basil essential oil is used in various recipes almost all over the world.

Important Notes