Basil Exotic Essential Oil
Basil is an annual herb to 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m) tall with green stems (usually woody at the base) that are square in cross section. Basil has opposite leaves, 2-4 in (5.1-10.2cm) long, and tiny purple or white flowers arranged in flattened whorls that encircle the stems, one whorl above another. There are many cultivars of basil, selected for their fragrances and colors. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is called tulsi. In China it is used for stomach and kidney aliments. Ancient references use the herb in cooking. Recently found to be helpful with treating herpes and shingles. Ocimum comes from the Greek okimon meaning quick because basil grew so fast. Basil comes from the latin basilicum meaning royal and basil is often referred to as the royal herb. Some consider basil to be evil while others consider it sacred. The exotic basil is a dramatically different chemotype to the French basil and probably a separate sub-species (possibly a form of Ocimum canum).
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| Botanical Name: | Ocimum basilicum L. |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Comoran basil, chavicol basil, common basil, reunion basil, tulsi |
| See Also: | Sweet Basil |
| Parts Used: | Flowering tops |
| Extraction Method: | Steam Distillation |
| Appearance: | Yellow to pale green liquid |
| Aroma Description: | Coarse, sweet, herbaceous, camphoraceous |
| Perfume note: | Top to Middle |
| Consistancy: | Thin |
| Strength of Initial Aroma: | |
| Blends well with: | |
| Historical Uses: | Basil has offered a wide rage of health benefits, principally supporting the respiratory system and digestive complaints. Herbalists have recommended basil for many years for stomach cramps, vomiting and constipation. Basil has been described as having a slight sedative action, which would explain why it is sometimes recommended for headaches and anxiety. Used in the far east, known as tulsi, for bronchitis, coughs, colds etc. also recommended as an antidote for some snake bites and poisonous insects. |
| Modern Uses: | Aromatherapy use None. Used as a fragrance in perfumes, soaps and dental products. |
| Cautions: | Moderately toxic, moderately irritating, may be carcinogenic. |
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