The 9 Surprising Benefits of Basil Essential Oil

Not just for Mediterranean cooking, basil essential oil benefits can support your health in a variety of ways. Basil oil should be a staple in your medicine cabinet. The protective effects include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, respiratory support, and even blood sugar regulation!

Basil as a Culinary Herb

In a kitchen herb garden, fresh basil is a staple for its delicious leaves. You can preserve it by freezing whole leaves, or dehydrating them to use dried. In your local restaurant, basil is a must for that distinctive flavor to recipes. In my opinion, the basil plant is a must-have in the herb garden.

But what is basil doing when you add it to your favorite recipe? There could be a lot more going on than you realized.

Even as a fresh-cut or dried powdered herb, sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a strong gastroprotective agent. A 1999 study indicated in animal models that the fixed oil (not essential oil) in basil plants has the ability to protect the stomach from ulcers triggered by various irritating factors. These include aspirin, alcohol, and stress. (1)

Essential oil content is, of course, part of the whole herb. So it seems that the protective effects that basil exhibits overall are concentrated with the distillation of the sweet basil essential oil. More on this below.

Note that holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) or tulsi is different from culinary sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). It is this Ocimum basilicum that will be explored as we discuss basil essential oil benefits. If you want information about Holy Basil you can find that report here.

Top 9 Basil Essential Oil Benefits

Here are the top uses of basil essential oil that demonstrate its protective capacity. Beyond the delicious fresh herb, the uses for basil essential oil are profound.

1. Potent Antibacterial

The problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is ever-growing, with the potential to become a major threat to public health. The search for effective solutions has been ongoing for some time now, hoping that we can maintain the ability to combat bacteria before “superbugs” become a pandemic.

While many of us believe that a paradigm shift away from the germ theory needs to take place, there are also natural products that we can use to tackle harmful bacteria without being so harsh as to quickly develop resistance to OTC antibiotics. And it appears the antibacterial qualities of sweet basil oil might be one of them.

A 2003 in vitro study found basil essential oil effective against multi-drug resistant bacteria, indicating its potential for fighting dangerous pathogens. (2) The use of antibacterial essential oils like basil oil can extend from topical healing to preventive cleansers and internal use.

Application: Healing balms, hand sanitizers, cleaning, diluted and careful ingestion. Basil oil is a great choice to use in our homemade, sugar-free cough drops.

2. Pain Relief and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Basil essential oil is a powerful natural pain reliever, particularly for occasional muscle soreness, joint pain, and inflammation-related conditions like arthritis. One study compared basil oil’s analgesic effects to the prescription painkiller tramadol, showing that basil oil was an effective alternative for chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia.

Thanks to its high linalool content, basil essential oil reduces swelling, tension, and pain sensitivity. These anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent addition to massage blends for relaxation and recovery.

Application: Blend a couple of drops of basil essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba and massage into sore muscles, minor pains, or stiff joints for relief.

3. Synergetic Antifungal

The way that the compounds within a given essential oil combine to make effective structures is neat, but when two essential oils combine to be stronger than before, it is amazing. The synergy between basil and peppermint essential oil was utilized to create an effective antifungal blend instead of two, less effective compounds. (3) It is an essential oil that would be a boon for athletes by enhancing the health properties of other essential oils.

Application: Blend into a carrier oil for topical healing in an athlete’s foot treatment.

4. Respiratory Support

Basil essential oil acts as a natural expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent in the respiratory system. It can help clear congestion, loosen mucus, and reduce inflammation in the airways, making it a valuable remedy for coughs, bronchitis, and seasonal allergies.

Its antispasmodic properties help relax the bronchial muscles, which can ease asthma symptoms and chronic respiratory conditions. The calming properties mean it would blend well with eucalyptus and other oils.

Application: Diffuse some drops of basil essential oil during cold and allergy season to help clear the airways and support easy breathing.

5. Oral Health Guardian

As an effective antibacterial oil, basil found its way into a 2014 clinical trial of an essential oil blend for oral health mouth rinses. After three weeks of monitoring around forty participants, the results came with sparkling smiles.

Basil, combined with other oral health superstars like tea tree and clove essential oil, in a homemade mouth rinse, was able to inhibit plaque, gingivitis, and dangerous microbes in the mouth. (4)

Application: Add basil oil to blends with other oral health oils like clove bud in your homemade mouth rinse or DIY toothpaste formula.

6. Blood Sugar Regulation

Research suggests basil essential oil may help regulate blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for individuals managing diabetes or metabolic disorders. Studies indicate that basil oil enhances insulin sensitivity and reduces oxidative stress, both of which play a role in blood sugar control.

Additionally, basil oil may support pancreatic function, further contributing to healthy glucose metabolism.

Indications: Diffuse basil essential oil or add it to recipes in small amounts to help support blood sugar balance.

7. Protective Digestive Support

Just as the fixed oil has gastroprotective effects, the essential oil of basil retains some as well. In fact, when tested under the monitoring of physicians and researchers, significant doses were able to protect against colitis and ulcer damage. (5)

While we can’t necessarily replicate the study at home, we can use safety precautions to begin including basil essential oil in our recipes and formulations.

Application: Periodic culinary inclusion or specific formulation by an aromatherapist trained in internal use.

8. Bug Repellent That Works

Basil essential oil takes protection to the next level by even keeping us safe from mosquitos. Sweet basil oil compounds include many phytochemicals known to keep bugs away, help prevent insect bites, and they blend well with other oils to create an effective spray. (6)

Application: Diffuse it outdoors or add to a topical application of bug spray or pest-repellent cream. Use it in our natural mosquito-repelling spray!

9. Supports the Nervous System & Mental Clarity

Basil essential oil is known for its neuroprotective and calming effects, making it an excellent choice for supporting mental clarity, memory, and cognitive function. It has been traditionally used for reducing stress, anxiety, and symptoms of ADHD.

Additionally, basil oil’s ability to stimulate focus, enhance alertness over time, and alleviate brain fog makes it ideal for work or study sessions.

Application: Diffuse basil essential oil in your workspace or inhale directly for enhanced mental focus and stress relief.

Estragole Caution

There have been some documented concerns about the toxicity of one of basil’s main compounds, methyl-chavicol (otherwise known as estragole). (7) A public statement on the use of herbal medicinal products containing estragole by the European Medicines Agency states that the risks are in vulnerable populations (children, pregnant or nursing women) and with high volumes of the substance. (8)

It would, therefore, be wise to restrict internal use to a minimum and preferably with oils that have been evaluated and have lower percentages of estragole/methyl chavicol.

Recommended Blends Using Basil Essential Oil

Take advantage of basil’s health properties and herbaceous aroma by blending it with other oils. You can focus on oils with anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antimicrobial qualities. Or you can enhance the aromatic scent that blends nicely with light and fresh-smelling oils. Here are some favorite combinations.

• Chamomile, lavender, and basil for healing
• Citrus, basil, and tea tree for cleaning
• Basil, eucalyptus, and cardamom as a bug spray
• Carrier-oil dilutions included in culinary recipes
• Clove, tea tree oil, and basil as a mouth rinse, with peppermint for good measure

Basil’s flexibility in blending aromas, protective effects in nearly every way, and overall safe and simple application measures make it an underrated essential oil.

Basil essential oil is an incredibly versatile and powerful remedy for pain relief, respiratory support, digestion, blood sugar regulation, and cognitive health. Whether used in diffusers, massage oils, or recipes, basil oil can enhance your well-being naturally.

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