{"id":2084,"date":"2016-12-22T22:05:50","date_gmt":"2016-12-22T22:05:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/?p=2084"},"modified":"2018-09-19T21:26:51","modified_gmt":"2018-09-19T21:26:51","slug":"10-basil-essential-oil-uses-benefits-plus-10-recipes-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/10-basil-essential-oil-uses-benefits-plus-10-recipes-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Basil Essential Oil Uses and Benefits (Plus 10 Recipes and Tips)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Whether you\u2019re a gardener or a foodie with a love of fresh herbs, you\u2019re likely familiar with fresh basil in all its vvariations<\/a>. But you might not know that essential oil made from basil plants is also available to you, with both culinary and wellness benefits. Here\u2019s an introduction to this versatile herb that has been cultivated for over 5,000 years.<\/p>\n Basil essential oil (sometimes also called \u201csweet basil\u201d essential oil) comes from the Ocimum basilicum plant, which you have probably seen growing in many home gardens or in cut leaves at the grocery store. Also known as \u201cgreat basil\u201d and \u201cSt. Joseph\u2019s wort\u201d (not to be confused with St. John\u2019s wort used for depression), basil is actually a member of the mint (Lamiaceae) family. Basil\u2019s other nicknames, \u201cthe king of herbs\u201d and \u201cthe royal herb\u201d come from the Greek term for basil: basilikon phuton, or \u201croyal plant.\u201d<\/p>\n Basil leaves have oil glands, but basil essential oil is made from both the leaves and the flowers of the plant for increased aroma and potency. Most basil essential oil comes from Spain, Italy, France, Egypt, Morocco, and the United States, although there is an exotic strain emanating from Comoros and the Seychelles, island nations off the east coast of Africa. Basil plants are usually harvested during spring, summer, and early fall, when they are most prolific. Basil essential oil is made by steam distillation.<\/p>\n Basil grown for its use as a fresh herb comes in many different varieties, with the smell and taste of licorice, lemon, and cinnamon, to name a few. Different cultivars have variations on chemical compounds that give them their unique aromas and flavors, such as citral in lemon basil. The leaves on basil plants can vary from bright green to greenish-gray to purple.<\/p>\n Basil has been grown intentionally by humans since at least 3,000 years B.C. While basil is thought to be originally native to India, its name appears in Ancient Greek literature, and basil has been used for centuries for flavor food and create homemade health recipes for thousands of years in the Mediterranean. Basil was probably brought to Europe from the Far East and Middle East by traders, where it became a symbol of love and fertility, in addition to an herb to flavor food. Basil still figures heavily in Italian, Greek, and Southeast Asian cuisines, and it grows easily in warm climates. Surprisingly, basil has been used in the United States since it was first introduced in the 17th Century, likely more in a medicinal way until the arrival of Mediterranean immigrants who demonstrated how it could be used in cooking.<\/p>\n The Ancient Egyptians used basil in in both mummification and religious ceremonies. Likewise, in the early Greek Orthodox Church, basil was infused in holy water used in burial rites to encourage safe passage of the dead to the afterlife. During the Middle Ages, it was believed that basil brought good luck against serpentine monsters. In certain central Mexican cultures, basil was thought to bring good luck, and it was also a key component of Ayurvedic medicine in Ancient India, as both an offering to Hindu deities Krishna and Vishnu and as a topical ingredient to treat skin irritations and ward off insects. \u00a0In many cultures, basil has been used to freshen the breath, and it is still a common ingredient in natural mouthwashes and toothpastes.<\/p>\n Basil essential oil contains a number of nutritional benefits for which it has long been so popular, including:<\/p>\n Additionally, basil has a number of health benefits (see below), and it can be ingested, used topically, inhaled, and enjoyed via a diffuser for psychological well being.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Basil essential oil is great for soothing tight or sore muscles. You can add basil essential oil to your bath water, or put it in a carrier oil, like coconut oil, for a rub after a tough workout or hard day.<\/p>\n Related: 9 EOs for Sore Muscles \/ Muscle Pain<\/a><\/p>\n You can find commercial brands of natural toothpastes and mouthwashes containing basil essential oil, but you can also simply make your own. Add a few drops of basil essential oil to a small amount of water for gargling, or mix a drop or two with your existing toothpaste or mouthwash for enhanced oral hygiene and great smelling breath.<\/p>\n Related:\u00a0EO Based DIY Mouthwash Recipes<\/a><\/p>\n Bugs will steer clear of you if you are wearing basil essential oil. You can easily add basil essential oil to any moisturizer or carrier oil to keep insects at bay. Also, the scent of basil added to linen spray and spritzed on bedding and curtains at night will help keep mosquitos and other pests out of the bedroom.<\/p>\n Related:\u00a07 EOs for Bee Stings, Bug Bites<\/a><\/p>\n One of the oldest uses of basil essential oil is to fight germs. Basil essential oil has properties that ward off bacteria and fungi, and it therefore makes an ideal ingredient to use in natural cleansers around the home. Use basil essential oil whenever you make homemade products to wipe your counters, bathroom, or other common surfaces where microbes lurk.<\/p>\n Many people find breathing basil essential oil can help relieve stuffiness and difficulty breathing associated with colds and viruses. You can add basil essential oil to eucalyptus-based rubs and steam baths to open up your nose and throat when you\u2019re sick.<\/p>\n Related: 8 EO Remedies for a Sore Throat<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The same wonderful properties that make basil essential oil so ideal to freshen your breath make it perfect for environmental aromatherapy too. In addition to diffusing basil essential oil, try using it with baking soda to get rid of stubborn, undesirable cooking odors or unpleasant smells in the trash bin.<\/p>\n Do you suffer from bouts of anxiety or heavy stress? Basil essential oil should be a key ingredient in diffuser therapy using scent to calm you and improve your mood. You can blend it with other essential oils to employ during meditation, yoga, or your regular wind-down time at the end of the day. You can also use basil essential oil in rubs applied to your feet to benefit your adrenal system, which takes a beating when you are stressed.<\/p>\n Related: 5 EO Blends for Focus & Concentration<\/a><\/p>\n Its natural antimicrobial properties make basil essential oil useful to fight acne. Using basil essential oil with your toner on a cotton swab or in a bit of coconut oil can help clear bacteria that clog pores and cause breakouts.<\/p>\n Related:\u00a0How to Treat Acne with Essential Oils<\/a><\/p>\n Another ancient use of basil essential oil has been to improve digestion. When taken in small amounts internally, such as by adding a few drops to a cup of tea, basil essential oil can prevent flatulence and eliminate constipation, as well as treat motion sickness and nausea.<\/p>\n Basil essential oil is an inexpensive and natural way to make your hair shinier. You can mix it with your regular shampoo or use it with apple cider vinegar in a rinse to eliminate excess oils and leave your tresses gleaming.<\/p>\n Related: 9 Essential Oils for Hair Growth<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the simplest ways to reap the benefits of basil essential oil is to use it for aromatherapy in a diffuser. (If you don\u2019t have a diffuser, you can also use essential oils in a pan of warm water on the stovetop or on the top of a wood stove.)Here are some combinations you can try at home.<\/p>\n Ingredients:<\/p>\n Directions:<\/p>\n Ingredients:<\/p>\n Directions:<\/p>\n Ingredients:<\/p>\n Directions:<\/p>\n Ingredients:<\/p>\n Directions:<\/p>\n Ingredients:<\/p>\n Directions:<\/p>\n Ingredients:<\/p>\n Directions:<\/p>\n Ingredients:<\/p>\n Directions:<\/p>\n Ingredients:<\/p>\n Directions:<\/p>\n Ingredients:<\/p>\n Directions:<\/p>\n Basil essential oil blends with many other essential oils to create pleasant scent combinations, especially:<\/p>\n Basil essential oil can be potent, so dilute it with a carrier oil before using it in any topical applications. If you are worried about sensitivity to basil essential oil, conduct a patch test first on a small area of skin before large-scale use. Because it can be so strong and concentrated, basil essential oil is best kept away from the eyes, nostrils, and other mucous membranes.<\/p>\n If you are taking basil essential oil internally, always use only pure basil essential oil. Pregnant and nursing women should consult with their healthcare providers before using basil essential oil to discuss any potential undesirable side effects. If you have any tumors or a history of cancer, consult with your healthcare professional before using basil essential oil. Basil essential oil contains concentrated amounts of estragole, a chemical that may promote tumor growth in certain individuals.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hopefully this post has been helpful for you. If you have any questions, comments or recommendations of your own please let us know in the comment section below!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Whether you\u2019re a gardener or a foodie with a love of fresh herbs, you\u2019re likely familiar with fresh basil in all its vvariations. But you might not know that essential oil made from basil plants is also available to you, with both culinary and wellness benefits. Here\u2019s an introduction to this versatile herb that has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":823,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2084"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2084"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2084\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/823"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2084"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2084"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2084"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Origins of Basil as an Herb and Essential Oil<\/h1>\n
Basil Uses Throughout History<\/h1>\n
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10 Uses for Basil Essential Oil<\/h1>\n
Muscle Relaxant<\/h2>\n
Breath Freshener and Mouth Cleanser<\/h2>\n
Insect Repellant<\/h2>\n
Antimicrobial<\/h2>\n
Cold and Virus Relief<\/h2>\n
Air Freshener<\/h2>\n
Mood Booster\/Stress Blaster<\/h2>\n
Acne Treatment<\/h2>\n
Digestive Aid<\/h2>\n
Hair Shine Enhancer<\/h2>\n
10 Health and Wellness Recipes for Basil Essential Oil<\/h1>\n
Basil Essential Oil Blends for Your Diffuser<\/h2>\n
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Under-active Thyroid Support Rollerball<\/h2>\n
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Pick-Me-Up Rub<\/h2>\n
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Anti-Diarrhea Soothing External Treatment<\/h2>\n
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Muscle Spasm Relief Spot Treatment<\/h2>\n
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Immune System Support Air Freshener Spray<\/h2>\n
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Whole House Lemon Basil Cleaning Spray<\/h2>\n
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Basil-Grapefruit Gentle Dish Soap<\/h2>\n
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Refreshing Moisturizing Body Scrub<\/h2>\n
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Simple Tomato Sauce (When Fresh Basil Is Out of Season)<\/h2>\n
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Closing Tips for Using Basil Essential Oil<\/h1>\n
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Conclusion<\/h1>\n