Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Essential Oil from dōTERRA®

About basil oil from dōTERRA^®:

Basil oil is steam distilled from the leaf of the Ocimum basilicum plant.  dōTERRA‘s basil oil is unique among basil oils.  Unlike most basils, which contain more methylchavicol, dōTERRA‘s basil is rich in linalool content (like lavender oil).  This makes it very relaxing and calming, and more effective for reducing stress and anxious feelings.  It also promotes mental alertness, enhances memory function and sharpens focus while studying or reading.

Basil has a warm, spicy, yet herbal aroma, known to enhance memory function while reducing stress and tension.  It soothes sore muscles and joints, reduces anxious feelings and feelings of stress and tension and, when applied to the temples and back of the neck it reduces tension.

Basil is commonly used in cooking, to add a fresh, herbal flavor to meats, pastas and entrée dishes; but, it is also cooling to the skin, and can be used to soothe minor irritations.  When diffused, basil assists with clear breathing, promotes mental alertness and enhances memory function, while sharpening focus and lessening stress.

Primary benefits of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) oil

• Soothes sore muscles and joints
• Assists with clear breathing
• Acts as a cooling agent for the skin
• Promotes mental alertness
• Lessens anxious feelings
• Enhances memory function
• Reduces stress and tension
• Reduces tension when applied to temples and back of neck
• Soothes minor irritations
• Sharpens focus while studying or reading
• Soothes minor skin irritations

Uses for basil oil

• Diffuse to sharpen focus while studying or reading.
• Apply to minor skin irritations. For sensitive skin, dilution with dōTERRA‘s fractionated coconut oil will avoid any possible skin irritation.
• Apply to sore muscles and joints.
• Diffuse, or apply topically, to promote clear breathing.

How to use:

Basil oil can be used for aromatic, topical or dietary purposes.  It is gentle enough to be used neat.

• Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice.
• Internal use: Dilute one drop in 4 fl oz of liquid.  I’ve also used it, together with marjoram and thyme, on pot roast with wonderful results.  It’s also great with oregano, marjoram and thyme in spaghetti sauce.
• Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area.  While gentle enough to use neat, dilution with dōTERRA‘s fractionated coconut oil will help to minimize any possible skin sensitivity.  See additional precautions below.

Cautions: Possible skin sensitivity.  Keep out of reach of children.  If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician.  Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears and sensitive areas.

What I’ve found with my use of basil oil from dōTERRA^®

Basil is one of the therapeutic-grade oils that I use most often.  (Diffusing it was a common — dare I say, essential? — part of building this website.)  I found it to be very effective at keeping my head clear and mind focused, as I worked long hours at my computer.

I’ve also relied on its beneficial properties for soothing the achy muscles that come with too much time in front of a computer.  Especially mixed with marjoram or AromaTouch^® and applied to the Vita-Flex points on the feet, it has become an essential oil that I simply will not do without.

Chemical Profile

Chemo-type: Linalool

Primary constituents: Alcohols (up to 65%)

• linalol (>55%)

Other places you will find basil oil from dōTERRA^®

You can also purchase basil oil in a 15 mL bottle in dōTERRA^® Diamond Kit.  It is also found in the essential oil blends of AromaTouch^® and PastTense^®.