Basil essential oil has a distinctively strong scent. It was traditionally used to heal chest infections, to relieve headaches and to treat colds. It is a general tonic and it is also known for its ability to stimulate mental activity. Basil is a good oil to use whenever you are feeling tired or recovering from an illness. The oil comes from the leaves and the flowering tops of the basil herb (Ocimum basilicum). Its scent is piercing and herbaceous, and it easily dominates a blend of oils. When blending basil oil, use it in small amounts or it takes over the blend.
Basil Essential Oil
Basil Oil for Coughs and Colds
Basil is one of the many essential oils that can be used to relieve the symptoms of colds and coughs. It can help to clear a stuffy nose and is especially useful in head colds. The herb has been used in traditional folk medicine to relieve headaches and migraines, and Patricia Davis in Aromatherapy: an A-Z (Random House, UK, 2004) writes that in the 16th century it was ground into a powder and inhaled like snuff to clear the head. A steam inhalation with the essential oil is a more convenient method today! Add a drop or two of the oil into a bowl of steaming hot water for an inhalation. Steam inhalations can also relieve many types of respiratory problems, including chest infection and bronchitis.
Basil Oil for the Mind
Basil essential oil is known to clear the cobwebs and to stimulate and energize the mind. It is a good oil to burn or inhale if you need to stay alert while studying or writing for long periods of time. Another oil with similar cephalic properties is Rosemary, and you can combine the two in an aromatherapy burner or inhale a drop of oil from a tissue.
Massage Oil for Achy Muscles
Use basil oil in a massage for tired, aching or overworked muscles. Because of its strong scent and because it can be a skin irritant, it is best to blend it with other oils. Try a mix of Basil with Lavender and/or Rosemary to relieve aches and pains and to invigorate tired muscles.
Safety Tips and Precautions
This oil can be a skin irritant so always blend it with a carrier oil, especially if your skin is sensitive. Basil essential oil can bring on a period, so it is not a suitable oil to use during pregnancy.
Photo: Itineranttrader (Wikimedia Commons)
