Basil Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

Basil is commonly used in cooking to enhance and add flavor to food dishes. I do enjoy basil in food, but it’s basil essential oil benefits and uses that really caught my eye and made me try this oil.

It’s a natural anti-inflammatory, has diuretic, antiviral, and antibiotic properties, and can help relieve all kinds of pain and ailments, and help you heal up wounds and injuries quicker when used correctly.

Using basil in essential form is a much easier, and more importantly more concentrated way to experience the benefits it holds. This scientific article from 2014 details how basil (Ocimum basilicum) has been used for its medicinal benefits for hundreds of years.

With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at the health benefits associated with using basil essential oil and ways you can apply this to yourself:

Basil Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil

This is the Basil Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil from Healing Solutions I am currently using. Healing Solutions are one of the leading brands as far as I know, and they always deliver on quality using the best ingredients.

Basil Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

Treating Colds and Flu Viruses

Much like eucalyptus, basil has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammation properties. It’s on the short list to diffuse or breathe in directly if you want to open up your air passageways and fight off colds and flu viruses.

Relaxing Sore and Tired Muscles

Mix a couple of drops with a carrier oil, like coconut or almond oil and massage into sore and tired muscles. Not only is a massage very relaxing, but basil will help penetrate into the muscles and relieve some of the soreness.

Treating Ear Infections

Basil is one of the oils used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat ear infections. Don’t put into the ear directly, massage a little behind the ear, and on the bottom of your feet for this treatment.

Stress Reducing and Mood Enhancing

Basil oil has a lovely scent and some mood enhancing properties. It’s commonly used in aromatherapy blends to help people feel less anxious, unwind, and massaging into the temples can help relieve headaches.

Relieving Constipation and Digestive Issues

With its diuretic properties, basil will help you pass urine and thus reduce the body’s retention of water which helps to alleviate stomach and digestive issues for a lot of people. You can add or drop or two to a cup of tea or use a diffuser.

Basil Essential Oil Blends Well With

You can blend basil with a lot of other oils to make a unique and more potent blend. Try some of the following oils:

• Sage
• Clove
• Lime
• Lemon
• Eucalyptus
• Rosemary
• Bergamot
• Juniper

Ways to Use Basil Essential Oil

There are three methods of suggested use:

Aromatic – This is a great oil to use in a diffuser. It has a really pleasant scent and a lot of the benefits discussed above are best achieved through diffusing into the air and inhaling.

Internally – This essential oil can be taken internally via a capsule or by adding drop or two to a hot cup of tea.

Topically – You can apply basil topically by mixing with a carrier oil like coconut or almond and massaging into the skin.

Basil Essential Oil Side Effects and Precautions

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using basil essential oil, as should young children. I always advise using a small test area on the skin if you are going to use it topically to test for potential sensitivity issues.

Never let essential oils come into contact with broken skin unless directed to do so. Avoid all the sensitive areas like the eyes, nose, and mouth. Oils are fun and easy to use, by following these simple guidelines you will be fine.

In Summary

I love finding and testing new essential oils. Basil essential oil benefits and uses are pretty wide and varied and I’m sure most reading this will find a use for this oil. Give it a try and please let me know what your experiences are.