Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum

Botanical Family: Lamiaceae/Labiatae

Basil

Basil

Parts Distilled: Leaves & Flowering Tops

Method of Distillation: Steam distilled

Origin: Thailand, Egypt, France, Comoro Islands, Reunion Islands

Note: Top-Middle

Organoleptic: Clear, thin. Sweet herbaceous aroma, licorice, slightly camphorous.

Taste: acrid, sweet

Temperature: warm

Channels Entered: Liver, Stomach, Kidney, Lung, Large Intestine

Application Methods:

Actions:

  • Antibacterial
  • Anti-fungal
  • Anti-cancer
  • Detoxifying

East Asian Medicine Actions:

  • Resolves food stagnation
  • Nourishes Liver Yin
  • Releases the exterior
  • Tonifies Spleen Qi
  • Tonifies Kidney Qi
  • Tonifies Wei Qi
  • Resolves Tai Yang Sinew patterns (along with spruce)
  • Descends Lung Qi

Ayurvedic Description: Warming and drying, useful for Kapha and phlegm conditions.

Common Uses: 

  • Lifts the mind
  • Bronchitis
  • Cold
  • Constipation: affects Metal element, regulates Large Intestine
  • Cough
  • Exhaustion
  • Flatulence
  • Flu
  • Grief
  • Headaches
  • Insect bites
  • Insufficient lactation: promotes lactation
  • Muscle aches
  • Shoulder injury or pain
  • Sinusitis
  • Uterine contractions

Cautions & Contraindications: Use a small dose; caution in pregnancy. High in phenols, which can easily irritate the skin. Use a maximum dilution of 15%.

Oil Description: Fruity, spicy, balsamic, clear to yellow color.

Major Chemical Constituents: Linalool, Fenchol , Eugenol, Methyl chavicol, Beta-Caryophyllene

Common Blends:

  • Spruce: to relax Tai Yang sinews
  • Orange: energizing
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