Basil Essential Oil Uses and Benefits

I can still remember the smell in our house growing up when my mother had a big pot of homemade spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove. I could smell the sweet-yet-spicy warm, refreshing odor of the fresh Basil she used along with all the other smells that told me, “Yippee! We are eating Italian tonight!”  Basil essential oil reminds me delicious, mouth-watering Italian food. If you decide to use it topically, you will smell like Italian food too! 

Basil essential oil is extracted from the leaf of the Basil plant through steam distillation. It has a high percentage of linalool, which makes it ideal for many topical uses. It is also frequently used in cooking, and when diffused it helps to improve your breathing while sharpening your focus and lessening your stress.

What are the benefits of Basil Essential Oil?

There are many, many benefits of this workhorse essential oil, including:

1. Soothing sore muscles and joints
2. Assisting with clear breathing
3. Acting as a cooling agent for the skin
4. Promoting mental alertness
5. Lessening anxious feelings
6. Reduces tension and stress
7. Enhances memory function. 
8. Promotes hair and scalp health
9. Soothes minor irritations. 
10. Making your kitchen smell, and your food taste, like your Italian grandma is here for a visit and cooking up her favorite Italian food.

What are Basil’s cautions?

Some people may experience skin sensitivities when using Basil. As with all essential oils, you should keep it out of reach of children. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing, and avoid getting Basil in your eyes, inner ears, or other sensitive spots.

Top Ten Uses for Basil Essential Oil

1. To help ward off insects or bees, make a solution with 1-2 drops of Basil oil, mixed with 3-4 drops of fractionated coconut oil or other carrier oil. You can apply this to the bite several times a day.
2. For small skin irritations, you can apply a drop of Basil oil mixed with a drop of coconut oil to protect against environmental threats.
3. Basil oil can be used to promote ear health. Do not use Basil Oil directly in the ear, but dilute a drop with a carrier oil and rub it behind, over and around the ear.
4. If you are feeling anxious or stressed, try diffusing Basil in your room, or apply a few drops to your pillow before you go to sleep.
5. You can massage Basil oil into the area where you have muscle spasms.
6. When you have any head tension that you can’t seem to get rid of, try diffusing Basil oil, or massage it into your temples, the base of your neck and over any specific area of pain.
7. Are you having trouble with oily hair? Add a drop or two of Basil oil to your shampoo, and massage it into your scalp.
8. If you are struggling with minor skin irritations, you can apply Basil to the area. You can add it to a carrier oil or use it neat, as long as you have already tested an area of your skin for sensitivity to Basil.
9. When you or a family member need support for overall respiratory health, diffuse the oil throughout your room, or add 1-2 drops to a steam tent and breathe in the oil. You can also massage it into your throat and chest.
10. Don’t forget the wonderful, healthy benefit of using Basil essential oil in your cooking, marinades or spaghetti sauces! 

Where to purchase Basil essential oil

Home-made Basil Essential Oil Recipe

One of my family’s favorite reminders of the time we spent living in Chicago is eating Italian Beef Sandwiches. I have developed a PALEO version of these delicious sandwiches, and it is hard to distinguish any difference in taste. To make the preparation even easier for our busy lifestyles, the ingredients are tossed in a Crock Pot and cooked all day. Golly, the house smells just like Chicago when the Crock Pot is filled and cooking this delicious meat. You can find this fantastic recipe on my blog in the next few days! 

Basil and Emotions

Basil has been called “The Oil of Renewal.” The smell of Basil brings strength to the heart and relaxation to the mind. It supports those who are under a great deal of mental strain. It gives hope and optimism to the tired soul. (source)

So tell me?! How do you like to use Basil Essential Oil?