Basil essential oil features the herb used for many recipes, including Italian cuisine. The essential oils have a wide range of uses like fatigue, colds, and acne.
However, people who use the essential oil for medical purposes claim that it is effective. It might even help to improve mental issues like mood and anxiety. So it turns out the herb is a holistic (whole-body) treatment and can be a substitute for prescription meds. One of the main drawbacks is that they can cause unwanted side-effects.
There are various ways you can use essential oil. One of the most practical ways is to apply it directly to the skin after adding a carrier oil like olive oil. Other options include a bath oil and diffuser spray. These are other ways you can benefit from the natural herb. Before using any essential oil it’s important to know about issues like the herbal plant, uses/benefits, and side-effects. This can help to determine whether or not it’s a good option for you. In some situations it is and other times it’s not.
What Is Basil Essential Oil?
This kind of essential oil is a popular choice for aromatherapy. It is made from the plant known as Ocimum basilicum. It’s believed the plant can provide people with various health benefits. The essential oil has several chemical compounds that are believed to boost health.
Basil is best-known as food flavoring. The term basil is a Latin word meaning green crops. Basil is in the same plant family as:
- Catnip
- Mint
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Sage
Mediterranean basil, the main type of this culinary herb, is a popular seasoning added to pesto, pizza, tomato sauce, salad dressings, and veggie dishes. You can also find basil in other Italian seasonings.
There are other applications. Thai basil is used for garnishes and green curry. The herb is also used in desserts like ice cream, custard, and sorbet. Meanwhile, the seeds are used to thicken Thai dishes. Basil is also used to make perfumes.
Basil is believed to originate from Greece or India. It was used in several regions of the world, including the Americas, the Mediterranean, Asia, and Africa. There are several myths about basil related to love/the afterlife.
It is necessary to know the difference when picking an essential oil using basil. The essential oil from the basil plant is also known as sweet basil essential oil. The oil has a crisp/floral herb-like scent. It’s been described as being lively, mood-boosting, and like a licorice scent.
Basil Essential Oil: Uses and Benefits
Antibacterial
Some lab studies show certain types of essential oil could provide anti-bacterial and anti-fungal benefits. More research is needed. However, these studies show, it provides some key benefits to fight off certain illnesses.
Haircare
Basil oil might provide various benefits for hair. They include nourishing, calming, repairing, soothing, and brightening the hair. These are all benefits that can improve hair health.
Alternative medicine
Basil is used to treating various physical and mental issues which includes:
- Anxiety
- Bronchitis
- Fatigue
- Acne
- Digestion
- Depression
- Cold/Coughs
- Sinus infection
Please take note that more research is needed to back up these claims.
One of the main benefits of this alternative medicine is you no longer need to deal with harsh chemicals. They can cause unwanted side-effects, which can make your condition worse.
Digestion problems
Basil might also help to deal with minor digestion problems. It is quite common, and there are several possible remedies. However, basil oil might be a good option based on certain studies.
Acne
The essential oil might help to treat acne. In one study, about 30 people received an essential oil blend with orange/basil for two months. There were different blends given to other groups.
The study showed that all groups benefited from natural acne treatments. So this may be an effective way to deal with pimples, blackheads, etc.
Mental benefits
There seem to be various benefits provided by the essential oil. They include the ability to calm, clarify, and energize the mind. More research is needed. However, these benefits could certainly benefit people who need are looking for such benefits.
What Exactly Are Essential Oils?
There are over 90 plus essential oils on the market, and these oils are concentrated extracts of different plants. One of the functions of essential oils is aromatherapy. For example, you can add some basil oil to a diffuser to improve the environment of a room.
Steam, water, and cold-press are some of the processes used to extract essential oils. Each of these processes has its pros and cons. It is a good idea to find out the particular process used for certain brands. That will affect issues like quality and effectiveness.
Essential oils are used mostly in aromatherapy. This practice uses diffused essential oils, so their vapor enters the air. That provides several benefits related to mental/emotional health.
Aromatherapists claim that inhaling essential oils allow the plants’ chemicals to enter your lungs/blood that can benefit your body. Essential oils can also be used as a massage oil just by mixing it with a carrier oil.
There are types of aromatherapy that many people are not aware of. For example, when you inhale a vapor rub, the menthol is used as a type of aromatherapy. It is believed that it can help treat breathing and congestion issues.