Plant Description
Basil Oil (Methyl Chavicol (also known as Estragole) is distilled from the botanical Ocimum basilicum L. The plant is typically grown and harvested for its leaves, which are popular around the world in many food dishes. There are a number of chemotypes available in this family and this variety is high in Methyl Chavicol (also known as Estragole), which can typically be around 85% of the component mixture. Estragole is used in perfumes and as a food additive for flavour. Estragole is often isolated and converted to anethole using potassium hydroxide.
Sweet Basil originates from Vietnam only. The plant is an annual hairy herb growing up to 1 meter (3 feet). The flowers range from white to pink, depending on the species and attract swarms of bees in summertime. Basilicum comes from the Greek word ‘Basilicos’ meaning ‘king’ or ‘royal’.
Sweet Basil Oil Properties:
The oil has a watery viscosity and is pale greenish-yellow in color.
The aroma is clear, light and peppery and gives a sweet, green top note to blends.
Relative density at 20℃: 0.920 – 0.983
Refractive index at 20℃: 1.501 – 1.525
Optical rotation at 20℃: – 7 to +2
Main component: Methyl chavicol: 70 to 90%, 1-8-cineole: 1 to 5%, linalool: 0.5 to 3%
Uses Sweet Basil Oil
Basil oil is a good tonic for the treatment of nervous disorders and stress related headaches, migraines and allergies. It is used to clear the mind and relieve intellectual fatigue, while giving clarity and mental strength.
It has a beneficial action on the respiratory tract and is often used for asthma, bronchitis and sinus infections. It furthermore is also effective in cases of constipation, nausea, vomiting and cramp, and is also good when used for menstrual problems.
Due to the emmenagogue properties, it is often used to relieve scanty periods and normalizing menses.
It helps to minimize uric acid in the blood, thus relieving gout. It is useful in arthritis as well and when used on the skin, it helps to control acne. In general, it refreshes the skin and can also be used on insect bites.