The oil is extracted by steam distillation from the leaves and the flowering tops.
Chemical composition
Basil oil has various chemical compounds that include a-pinene, camphene, b-pinene, myrcene, limonene, cis-ocimene, camphor, linalool, methyl chavicol, y-terpineol, citronellol, geraniol, methyl cinnamate and eugenol.
Precautions
Although basil oil usually stimulates, in excess it can have a stupefying effect and should not be used during pregnancy or on children under 16 years.
Since it can irritate a sensitive skin, it must be used with care on people with sensitive skins. It also has emmenagogue properties, so it must be avoided during pregnancy.
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of basil oil are analgesic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-venomous, carminative, cephalic, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, insecticide, nervine, stomachic, sudorific, tonic and stimulant.
Basil oil is a good tonic for the treatment of nervous disorders and stress related headaches, migraines and allergies. It is used to clear the mind and relieve intellectual fatigue, while giving clarity and mental strength.
It has a beneficial action on the respiratory tract and is often used for asthma, bronchitis and sinus infections. It furthermore is also effective in cases of constipation, nausea, vomiting and cramp, and is also good when used for menstrual problems.
Due to the emmenagogue properties, it is often used to relieve scanty periods and normalizing menses.
It helps to minimize uric acid in the blood, thus relieving gout. It is useful in arthritis as well and when used on the skin, it helps to control acne. In general it refreshes the skin and can also be used on insect bites.