Composition
100% essential oil of Ocimum basilicum. Origin: France.
The plant and the oil
Oil of the common European type contains about 35–50% linalool and 15–25% methyl chavicol, also called estragole.[2] Estragole is the reason for the oil's main caution: it is regarded as a carcinogen.[3]
Scent
What it smells like. Basil oil smells sweet, herbal and slightly like liquorice.[4] Sweet basil oil is sweet-spicy, slightly green and fresh.[5] Oils with more linalool usually smell more pleasant, and the composition varies between batches.[4]
Where it sits in a blend. It is a top note of medium strength, but it easily takes over a blend.[4]
What it goes with. Use it as a small part of a mixture with other oils rather than on its own.[4]
How to use
- As a room scent: the oil is intended to invigorate and lift the mood.[1]
- In aromatherapy it is described as energising and best used in the morning and during the day, to help focus; aromatherapy books also list it for colds, coughs, tiredness, aching muscles and insect bites.[4]
- Against insects: basil oil repels insects such as flies.[6]
In the air. Use only a little in a blend, because basil easily dominates it.[4] Air the room regularly: breathing a lot of vapour for an hour or more can cause headaches, dizziness and nausea.[7]
On the skin, diluted. Never put the oil on the skin undiluted.[7] Mix it into a carrier oil such as jojoba oil.
For people aged 15 and over, the recommended share of essential oil in a blend is up to 2% for general wellbeing, but not every day. During an illness, at most 5% is acceptable, and only for a short time.[8]
| Share of essential oil | Essential oil in 10 ml of blend | Carrier oil in 10 ml of blend |
|---|---|---|
| 1% | 0.1 ml | 9.9 ml |
| 2% | 0.2 ml | 9.8 ml |
Example: for 10 ml of a 1% blend, mix 0.1 ml of the oil with 9.9 ml of carrier oil.
Before the first use. Test a little of the blend on a small patch of skin. Apply it only to unbroken skin. If the skin reacts, stop and apply a little vegetable oil or cream.[7]
In the bath. Essential oil does not mix with water,[9] so stir the drops into a natural bath gel base or a little vegetable oil first.[7]
Precautions
- do not swallow the oil;[10]
- keep it away from the eyes;[7]
- keep the bottle out of the reach of children.[7]
- Use basil oil sparingly and with caution: high doses may be carcinogenic, especially for oils rich in estragole.[4]
- The evidence that estragole causes cancer comes from rodents, which appear to be more susceptible to liver cancer than people; the human liver breaks estragole down more efficiently than the rat liver.[3]
- If the skin is sensitive, first test the blend on a small patch.[7]
- Young children are more sensitive to essential oils than adults.[7]
- Avoid basil oil throughout pregnancy, labour and breastfeeding.[7][4]
- The oil is highly flammable: keep it away from candles and open flames.[7]
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Vivasan, product packaging of Basil Sweet (E 100).
- ↑ A. Muráriková et al., Characterization of Essential Oil Composition in Different Basil Species and Pot Cultures by a GC-MS Method. Molecules 2017, 22(7), 1221.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Robert Tisserand, Proof of Safety: Challenges Facing Essential Oil Therapy. AIA Conference 2007.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 AromaWeb, Basil Essential Oil. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
- ↑ Steffen Arctander, Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, Elizabeth, NJ, 1960: Basil Oil.
- ↑ N. O. Aguilar, Pham Truong Thi Tho and L. P. A. Oyen, Plant Resources of South-East Asia (PROSEA), Ocimum basilicum L., 1999.
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), Safety. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
- ↑ International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA), Guidelines to IFPA Members Treating Babies and Children. Revised August 2021.
- ↑ Tisserand Institute, Safety guidelines. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
- ↑ International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA), Statement on Internal and Undiluted Use of Essential Oils. November 2019.