Basil Essential Oil Uses and Benefits

Best known for its uses in Italian dishes, Basil is an herb that most of you probably have in your kitchen. However, the uses for Basil essential oil extend far beyond spaghetti sauce or caprese salads!

Whether you need to enhance your focus and alertness at work, or your kids are struggling to keep their minds to a task, or you just need to relax your muscles at the end of a long day, Basil essential oil has a lot of uses and benefits beyond its delicious flavor.

You can choose to diffuse, apply topically, or ingest this versatile oil. Read on to learn how!

BACKGROUND OF BASIL ESSENTIAL OIL

Basil essential oil is derived through steam distillation from the leaves of the basil plant, a member of the mint family. DoTERRA harvests their basil in its native habitat of Egypt. As an herb, it is known for its warm, spicy yet herbal aroma that is used in many cuisines around the world, particularly in Mediterranean regions.

The primary constituent of Basil is linalool, which is known for its ability to relax both mind and body. Whether you have muscle tension or a mind fraught with sadness and anxiety, Basil can offer relief.

FOCUS WITH BASIL OIL

We all have days where we cannot seem to keep our minds to a given task, or where our minds are fatigued and struggling to keep up. Basil essential oil can be helpful in enhancing your ability to focus.

Try diffusing Basil essential oil with Lime, Bergamot, and/or Peppermint to create an aroma that is both stimulating and refreshing. Or you could make a roller of Basil and fractionated coconut oil to keep on hand. Because of possible skin sensitivity, always dilute Basil with a carrier oil before applying it to your skin.

CALMING EFFECTS OF BASIL

Basil essential oil has been found to help restore mental calmness and relieve stress. Its aroma can be grounding when diffused. Its cooling properties can also be refreshing when applied to the back of your neck or temples.

Linalool, the main constituent of Basil essential oil, affects the areas of the brain that process dopamine and serotonin. These are the “feel-good” chemicals that help you feel calm and happy. Because of this, Basil can be a fantastic mood stabilizer for those days where you feel like you are losing control.

BASIL OIL MASSAGE

Due to studies that find Linalool to have anti-inflammatory properties, Basil can be used in your massage with several helpful variations:

• Muscle Relaxer: Apply it alone (diluted) as a cooling massage after vigorous activity or a busy days to help your muscles relax.
• Cool Down Tension: Combine Basil with Wintergreen and a carrier oil to add an extra boost to cool down and relieve muscle tension.
• Mood Booster: Blend Basil with Geranium, Wild Orange, and a carrier oil to create a massage oil that is uplifting emotionally as well as soothing physically.
• Menstrual Relief: For that inescapable time of the month, Basil offers relief from menstrual discomforts when used with a carrier oil as a massage. Alternatively, people find that taking a drop of Basil oil in a capsule or drinking it in a glass of water can help ease symptoms. I go into more detail in this post if you want more tips on thriving during your cycle with the help of essential oils!

COOKING WITH BASIL ESSENTIAL OIL

Basil’s freshness and herbal taste can add depth of flavor to your favorite Italian or Spanish dishes. The essential oil can be used to replace the herb in many of the recipes you already use, but remember that essential oils are powerfully concentrated.

To avoid overdoing it, use the toothpick method – simply dip a toothpick into the Basil oil and swirl it into your dish. Continue this process until you have reached your desired flavor. The flavor of Basil essential oil is very potent, so a full drop could overpower your meal. This method ensures you will maintain control of the flavors and get the delicious outcome you desire!

If you need some inspiration to get started, try making your own marinara sauce with it — that way you get a dish that not only tastes fantastic, but you eliminate preservatives and other unappealing added ingredients by making it in your own kitchen.

BASIL AS A WATER BOOSTER

Looking for a different use for your Basil oil on a hot summer day? Try combining it with a drop of Lemon essential oil in a glass of ice cold water. A beverage that is not only refreshing, but also offers a physical and mental health boost!

BASIL FUN FACT

Basil served as a sign of love for Italian culture! Men would wear sprigs of it to signify the seriousness of their intentions in their courting. Ladies would place a basil plant out in public view to show their readiness to receive suitors. Show yourself and your family some love by incorporating Basil essential oil into your daily routine!

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