Basil

Safety data -- relatively non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization in some individuals.  Avoid during pregnancy.

Family -- Lamiaceae

Synonyms – Common, Sweet or European Basil, Joy of the Mountain

Herbal/folk tradition - Widely used in Far Eastern medicine especially in the Ayervedic tradition.  It is used for respiratory problems such as bronchitis, coughs, colds, asthma, influenza and empysema, but is also used as an antidote to poisonous insect or snakebites.  It has also been used against epidemics and fever such as malaria.  It improves blood circulation and the digestive system, and in China is used for stomach and kidney ailments.  In the West it is considered a cooling herb and is used for rheumatic pain, irritable skin conditions and for those of a nervous disposition.  It is a popular culinary herb especially in Italy and France.

Aromatherapy/home use.

Skincare -- insect bites such as mosquito or wasp, insect repellent.

Circulation, muscles and joints, gout, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism.

Respiratory system -- bronchitis, coughs, earache, sinusitis.

Digestive system -- dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea.

Genito-urinary system -- cramps, scanty periods.

Immune system -- colds, fever, flu, infectious disease.

Nervous system -- anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension.  It is one of the best aromatic nerve tonics.  “It clears the head, releases intellectual fatigue and gives the mind strength and clarity”.

Other uses -- the oil is used in soaps, cosmetics and perfumes -- is also used extensively in major food categories, especially savories.

Distribution -- native to tropical Asia and Africa, it is now widely cultivated throughout Europe, the Mediterranean, the Pacific islands, North and South America.  The European, French or True Sweet basil oil is produced and France, Italy, Egypt, Bulgaria, Hungary and the USA.  

Extraction -- essential oil by steam distillation from the flowering herb.

Characteristics -- True Sweet basil oil is a colorless or pale yellow liquid with a light, fresh, sweet- spicy scent with balsamic undertone.  It blends well with bergamot, clarey sage, lime, opopanax, oakmoss, citronella, geranium, hyssop and other “green” notes.

Actions -- antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cephalic, digestive, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, galactagogue, nervine, prophylactic, restorative, stimulant of adrenal cortex, stomachic, tonic.

EO109A    Basil Sweet, Bulgaria          1/2oz    $10.00

EO109B    Basil Sweet, Bulgaria         1oz        $15.00

EO109C    Basil Sweet, Bulgaria          2oz       $26.00

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