Basil essential oil is a concentrated form of the herb basil, which is commonly used in cooking. The oil is extracted from the leaves of the basil plant (Ocimum basilicum) through the process of steam distillation, which separates the oil from the water content of the plant material.
Basil essential oil has a sweet, spicy, and slightly peppery aroma, which is why it is often used in perfumes and other fragranced products. It is also commonly used in aromatherapy, as its aroma is believed to have calming and uplifting effects.
In addition to its pleasant aroma, basil essential oil also has a number of potential health benefits. It can be used in a variety of ways, from aromatherapy to skin care. Keep on reading to know why it would be a valuable addition to any natural medicine cabinet.
Benefits of Basil Essential Oil
Some potential benefits of basil essential oil include:
- Improves digestion
- Helps with cold and flu
- Enhances blood circulation
- Relieves ear infections
- Enhances skin complexion
- Assists in oral hygiene
- Provides temporary relief from insect bites and stings
- Improves mental clarity
- Insects’ repellent
- Benefits Hair
Let’s get to know them in detail.
1. Improves Digestion
By encouraging the production of digestive fluids and enzymes, which can aid in the digestion of meals, basil essential oil may help to improve digestion. Furthermore, basil essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It may help to lessen gastrointestinal discomfort and inflammation as well as prevent infections that may cause digestion problems. Combining this essential oil with other digestive aids, like ginger or peppermint essential oil, may help improve digestion even more.
2. Helps with Cold and Flu
Due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities, basil essential oil may aid to lessen respiratory system swelling and infection. Additionally, it has decongestant qualities that might reduce coughing and support in clearing mucus from the airways. Additionally, basil essential oil revitalizing, energizing aroma can lower feelings of exhaustion and strengthen the immune system, helping the body more easily fight off cold and flu symptoms. If you’re not feeling well, you can try diffusing the oil throughout your home. Or else you can add one to two drops to a steam bath, or make a homemade vapor rub with basil and eucalyptus oils that you can massage into your chest to open up your nasal passages.
3. Enhances Blood Circulation
Vasodilating and anti-inflammatory qualities in basil essential oil can benefit in enhancing blood circulation. It can help in relaxing and dilating blood arteries when used topically, improving blood flow and oxygen delivery to the tissues and organs. Additionally, it may help to reduce swelling and inflammation in the blood vessels, which may enhance circulation even more. Additionally, basil essential oil stimulates the circulatory system, which helps support good cardiovascular function and improve overall circulation.
4. Relieves Ear Infections
Due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities, basil essential oil can help relieve pain and swelling associated with ear infections. Additionally, it possesses antibacterial qualities that may help in combating the virus or bacteria responsible for the infection. The healing process for ear infections might be sped up by applying a few drops of basil essential oil, diluted in a carrier oil like coconut or almond, behind the ears and on the bottoms of the feet.
5. Enhances Skin Complexion
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities present in basil essential oil can serve to brighten the skin tone. It can alleviate inflammation and redness, even out skin tone, and protect the skin from free radical damage. Additionally, it may increase blood flow to the skin, which may encourage healthy cell growth and renewal. This essential oil can also help tone and tighten the skin, making it look younger and more vibrant.
So, if you are thinking about enhancing the appearance of your skin, try a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and basil essential oil. This will help remove the dead skin cells and imperfections that can be hiding the light skin tone underneath.
6. Assists in Oral Hygiene
Basil essential oil can help oral hygiene as a homemade toothpaste and mouthwash because it contains antibacterial and antiviral properties. These properties can help to kill harmful bacteria and viruses in the mouth, preventing tooth decay and other oral health issues. Additionally, this essential oil has a fresh, pleasant scent which can help to freshen breath and improve overall oral hygiene. Using this essential oil in a homemade toothpaste or mouthwash can provide a natural, effective way to maintain oral health and prevent dental problems.
7. Provides Temporary Relief from Insect Bites and Stings
Basil essential oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help reduce the swelling and pain associated with insect bites and stings. It also has antibacterial properties that can help prevent infection from bacteria on the skin. When applied topically, it can help alleviate itching and provide relief from the discomfort of insect bites and stings.
8. Improves Mental Clarity
Basil essential oil has a stimulating and uplifting effect on the mind and body, making it a natural energizer and mood enhancer. Its fresh, herbaceous aroma can help to clear the mind and promote focus and concentration, while also providing a sense of mental clarity and alertness. Additionally, the oil has a calming and relaxing effect on the nervous system, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety. This can lead to a more balanced and positive mood, and can help to improve overall well-being and mental clarity.
9. Insects’ Repellent
Basil essential oil contains compounds such as eugenol, citronellol, and linalool, which are known to have insect repellent properties. When applied to the skin or used in a diffuser, the oil releases these compounds into the air, creating a scent that repels insects. You can make a DIY bug spray or lotion by diluting several drops of this essential oils with carrier oil and massage into skin or swollen bites as needed.
10. Benefits Hair
Basil essential oil possesses qualities that help increase hair thickness, stop hair loss, and stimulate hair growth. It has flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as vitamins A and C, which promote healthy hair development. Additionally, it possesses antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities that can support maintaining a healthy and clean scalp. Add a few drops of basil oil to your shampoo to help remove excess grease or build-up from your hair while enhancing shine. You can also experiment with combining it with baking soda and apple cider vinegar to balance scalp pH and clean hair naturally of grease and residue.
Basil Essential Oil by Majestic Pure
Quality is still important if you want the best basil essential oil to satisfy your needs. There are many essential oils of basil from various manufacturers available on the market. Making the optimal decision, though, could be challenging. In order to help you make a decision and save time searching for useless or fake products, we’ll discuss one of the best basil essential oils currently on the market.
Majestic Pure’s basil essential oils contain 100% pure and natural therapeutic-grade Ocimum basilicum leaf essential oil. This shows that they are free of harmful additions, pollutants, and chemicals. Low-quality essential oils could have synthetic or adulterated components that have unfavorable side effects or fail to have the desired therapeutic effects.
Since high-quality essential oils are more potent and concentrated, fewer of them are required to provide the intended effects. They become less wasteful and more cost-effective as a result. Majestic Pure essential oils are therefore totally unfiltered and undiluted for the finest results. By utilizing the best products and methods, Majestic Pure guarantees that their oils are of the highest quality and perfect for your different needs in terms of self-care, aromatherapy, and gifting.
To block harmful UV radiation, Majestic Pure essential oils are packaged in amber glass containers. They also come with a high-quality dropper that is simple to use and gives you the ideal amount of oil. Moreover, the approximate shelf life of this product is said to be 3-4 years (according to the manufacturer).
“The product is exactly what I needed and a great cost for the quantity. The smell is great.” – Happy customer on Amazon
Cautions related to Basil Essential Oil
When using basil essential oil, it is important to take the following precautions:
- Dilute the oil with a carrier oil before applying it to the skin. This will help to prevent irritation and allergic reactions.
- Avoid using the oil near the eyes, as it can cause irritation. If you accidentally get the oil in your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with water.
- Do not ingest this essential oil, as it can be toxic in large amounts.
- Do not use basil essential oil on children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people with certain medical conditions without consulting a healthcare provider.
- If you experience any side effects, such as irritation or allergic reactions, stop using the oil immediately and seek medical attention if necessary.
- Store this essential oil in a cool, dark place, away from heat and light. This will help to preserve the oil and maintain its quality.
- Keep the oil out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
Overall, it is important to use this essential oil with caution and to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer or a healthcare provider.
Side Effects related to Basil Essential Oil
Although basil essential oil is generally considered safe, there are some potential side effects to be aware of. These can include:
- Skin irritation: Basil essential oil can cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people when applied topically. It is recommended to do a patch test on a small area of skin before using it on a larger area.
- Nausea and vomiting: Ingesting this essential oil in large amounts can cause nausea and vomiting. It should only be taken internally under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
- Interactions with medication: Basil essential oil can interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners and sedatives. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using this essential oil if you are taking any medications.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is limited information on the safety of using this essential oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is best to avoid using it or consult with a healthcare professional before using it.
- Allergic reactions: Some people may be allergic to basil essential oil and experience symptoms such as skin rash, hives, and difficulty breathing. If you have a known allergy to basil, it is best to avoid using basil essential oil.
Conclusion | Basil Essential Oil
In conclusion, basil essential oil offers a wide range of potential health benefits as we have mentioned here. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make it an effective natural remedy for a variety of conditions, and its ability to boost energy levels and enhance mood make it a valuable addition to any wellness routine. If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your health and well-being, consider giving basil essential oil a try.
Keep in mind that there are numerous alternatives to try out if you feel that vetiver essential oil is not the perfect selection for you, like sandalwood essential oil, rosehip essential oil, rosemary essential oil, peppermint essential oil, lavender essential oil, lemongrass essential oil, chamomile essential oil, orange essential oil, camphor essential oil, castor essential oil, argan essential oil, grapeseed essential oil, cypress essential oil, tea tree essential oil, hemp essential seed oil, turmeric essential oil, thyme essential oil, cedarwood essential oil, mandarin essential oil, clary sage essential oil, carrot seed essential oil, niaouli essential oil, black pepper essential oil, oregano essential oil, ginger essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, citronella essential oil, rose geranium essential oil, patchouli essential oil, fennel essential oil, spruce essential oil, ylang ylang essential oil, vetiver essential oil, frankincense essential oil etc.
Disclaimer
Note that the information on this site is provided solely for educational purposes. It is not advisable to replace medical treatment from a health care professional. Because each person’s needs are different, the reader should check with their doctor to see if the information is appropriate for them.
