Ocimum basilicum L., belonging to the Lamiaceae or mint plant family, is known as the “King of Herbs” due to its naturally sweet, warm, spicy, and herbal aroma. Basil oil can be used in many different ways, offering a range of spiritual and therapeutic benefits.
The word “Ocimum” is derived from Greek, meaning “to smell,” and its aromatherapeutic properties have long been known to help heal and energize the mind. Basil brings balance between your body, mind and spirit. Its scent warms your soul and can bring spiritual clarity.
Historical and Spiritual Significance
Basil has a rich history, dating back more than 5000 years, with many cultures attributing spiritual and healing properties to it. Basilicum is derived from Greek to mean “Royal” or “King” and due to its elevated and potent healing uses it’s a deserved name. Several religions and spiritual beliefs practice rituals that emphasize the significance of the use of Basil.
- Judaism: Traditional stories advocate the use of Basil for increased strength during times of fasting.
- Orthodox Churches: Basil is often used to sprinkle or prepare holy water, and pots of the herb are positioned below church altars.
- Ancient Civilizations: In Europe, India, and the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Greece, Basil was buried with those who passed away, believed to have protective qualities for their journey to the Afterlife.
In other parts of the world, Basil has come to represent good fortune. Throughout history, the Basil herb, believed to have a fortifying effect on a person’s mind and emotions, has been used for multiple applications and was thus made in multiple forms, including teas, dried powders, and oils.
Aromatherapeutic Properties
In aromatherapy, Sweet Basil Essential Oil is reputed to stimulate, clarify, calm, fortify, energize, and uplift the mind. Basil Oil scent is revitalizing and uplifting, it helps diminish feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and fear. It helps slow down racing thoughts and feelings of being overwhelmed. Sweet Basil Essential Oil is known to emit a warm, sweet, freshly floral and crisply herbaceous scent that has been described as being airy, vibrant, uplifting, and reminiscent of the scent of licorice.
Read also: Essential Oils for Spiritual Growth
Blending
This fragrance is reputed to blend well with citrusy, spicy, or floral essential oils, such as:
- Bergamot
- Grapefruit
- Lemon
- Black Pepper
- Ginger
- Fennel
- Geranium
- Lavender
- Neroli
Aromatherapy Benefits
Used in aromatherapy applications, Basil Essential Oil is ideal for soothing or eliminating headaches, fatigue, sadness, and the discomforts of asthma, as well as for inspiring psychological endurance. It is also reputed to benefit those who suffer from poor concentration, allergies, sinus congestion or infections, and symptoms of fevers.
Furthermore, the scent of Sweet Basil helps to repel insects and to eliminate the bacteria that cause unpleasant room odors, thus effectively deodorizing stale indoor environments, including cars, as well as foul-smelling fabrics, including furniture.
Medicinal and Cosmetic Uses
When used medicinally, Sweet Basil Essential Oil is reputed to ease minor skin irritations, cramps, joint pain, muscular aches, spasms, gout, flatulence, and exhaustion. Used cosmetically, Basil Essential Oil is reputed to refresh, nourish, and help support the repair of damaged or lackluster skin.
It is often used to balance oil production, calm acne breakouts, alleviate dryness, soothe symptoms of skin infections and other topical ailments, and to support the skin’s suppleness and resilience. In hair, Sweet Basil Oil is known for contributing a light and refreshing scent to any regular shampoo or conditioner as well as for stimulating circulation, regulating the scalp’s oil production, and facilitating healthy hair growth to reduce or slow the rate of hair loss.
Read also: Understanding anemia spiritually
By hydrating and cleansing the scalp, it effectively removes any accumulation of dead skin, dirt, grease, environmental pollutants, and bacteria, thus soothing the itchiness and irritation that is characteristic of dandruff and other topical conditions.
Used medicinally, Sweet Basil Essential Oil’s anti-inflammatory effect is reputed to help calm skin that is afflicted with complaints, such as acne or eczema, and to soothe sores as well as minor abrasions. With expectorant properties, it is ideal for reducing coughs as well as other symptoms of colds, fevers, and the flu.
This helps to enhance immune function and in turn, comforts the distresses of respiratory ailments, such as bronchitis and emphysema.
Practical Applications and Recipes
As illustrated, Sweet Basil Essential Oil is reputed to have many therapeutic properties. Here are some practical applications:
Aromatherapy for Stress Relief
For a comforting and emotionally-elevating aromatherapy application that is reputed to decrease stress levels, whether it is anxiety or feelings of unhappiness, simply dilute 2-3 drops of Basil Essential Oil before adding it to a diffuser of personal preference and inhaling it for up to 1 hour. This is known to improve circulation and to soothe symptoms of respiratory discomforts.
Read also: Light Blue: Calmness and Healing
For enhanced effectiveness, it may be blended with 2-3 drops of other essential oils that are known to share the same uplifting, energizing, and clarifying qualities while also relieving symptoms of colds and the flu.
Decongestant Vapor Rub
For a naturally soothing, decongestant vapor rub, Basil Essential Oil may be diluted in 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil before being massaged into the chest.
Nightly De-Stressing Foot Balm
For a nightly de-stressing foot balm that helps to relax the body and mind before bed, dilute 1-2 drops of Basil Essential Oil in 1 tablespoon of any preferred carrier oil and massage it into the soles of the feet, the belly, or the wrist.
Acne Treatment
To soothe and prevent acne breakouts, begin by diluting 1-2 drops of Basil Essential Oil in a small amount of a light, fast-absorbing carrier oil. Suggested oils include Sweet Almond and Argan. Next, dip a cotton ball into the blend and dab it onto freshly-cleansed areas of skin affected with acne. This simple mixture is reputed to cleanse the skin of external pollutants, bacteria, and excess oil and to reduce redness.
For enhanced effectiveness, Basil Oil may be incorporated into face mask recipe along with honey, lemon juice, and a powdered cosmetic clay.
Hair Cleansing
To cleanse the hair and eliminate excess oil on the scalp, add small amounts of Basil Essential Oil to a preferred shampoo, conditioner, or both, beginning with 3-5 drops per ¼ cup of hair product. For easier mixing, rather than diluting Basil Oil in the bottles themselves, exact amounts of the shampoo/conditioner can be separated into cups before each use. This simple dilution is reputed to enhance the hair’s natural sheen.
Muscle Relief
To soothe sore or aching muscles, inflammation, swelling, and tightness, dilute 2-3 drops of Basil Essential Oil in a preferred carrier oil, then massage it into the affected areas. Alternatively, this oil blend can be further diluted in Epsom Salts before being added to a warm bath.
For enhanced effectiveness, it can be combined with other essential oils that are known to be conducive to relaxation, such as Lavender Essential Oil.
Maintaining Focus and Mental Clarity with Essential Oils
DIY Diffuser Blends
Diffuse basil oil in your home with an oil diffuser or inhale directly from the bottle to receive the benefits of basil oil. Add drops of essential oil from the diffuser recipe to your diffuser with recommended water and turn it on. Learn more about diffusing oils.
| Blend Name | Essential Oils |
|---|---|
| Fresh Air | 3 drops Lemon oil, 2 drops Juniper oil, 1 drop Basil oil |
| After the Rain | 2 drops Basil, 2 drops Jasmine, 2 drops Lemon |
| Serene | 5 drops Sandalwood, 3 drops Fennel, 2 drops Basil |
| Herby Citrus Mint | 3 drops Lavender, 3 drops Basil, 2 drops Lemon, 2 drops Spearmint |
| Maintaining Balance | 3 drops Lavender, 2 drops Basil, 2 drops Rose Geranium |
| Shamrock Shuffle | 2 drops Basil, 2 drops Orange, 1 drop Patchouli, 1 drop Peppermint |
| Adventure Ready | 2 drops Basil, 2 drops Grapefruit, 1 drop Cypress |
Safety Precautions
- As with all other New Directions Aromatics products, Basil Sweet Essential Oil is for external use only.
- It is imperative to consult a medical practitioner before using this oil for therapeutic purposes.
- Pregnant and nursing women are especially advised not to use Basil Sweet Essential Oil without the medical advice of a physician, as it may have an effect on certain hormone secretions and it is unclear whether these effects are transferable to babies at these stages of development.
- Those with the following health conditions are recommended to be advised by a physician: cancer, heart-related ailments, skin disorders, hormone-related ailments, or epilepsy.
Prior to using Basil Sweet Oil, a skin test is recommended. This can be done by diluting 1 drop of the Essential Oil in 4 drops of a Carrier Oil and applying a dime-size amount of this blend to a small area of skin that is not sensitive. Basil Sweet Oil must never be used near the eyes, inner nose, and ears, or on any other particularly sensitive areas of skin.
Those seeking medical care to manage moods, behaviors, or disorders should treat this essential oil as a complementary remedy rather than a replacement for any medicinal treatments or prescriptions. In the event of an allergic reaction, discontinue use of the product and see a doctor, pharmacist, or allergist immediately for a health assessment and appropriate remedial action.