32+ Uses for Basil Essential Oils

Not all basil essential oils are created equally, but a high quality brand with an emphasis on purity has some incredibly potent properties and a multitude of uses.

The properties of pure basil oil include:

• Antibacterial
• Anti-infectious
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Antispasmodic
• Antiviral
• Decongestant (especially for circulation through the lungs and prostate)
• Diuretic
• Disinfectant (urinary and pulmonary)
• Stimulant for the nerves and adrenal cortex
• Uplifting

Basil itself is also said to be anticatarrhal, antidepressive, energizing and restorative.

What makes the essential oil so much more powerful than the leaves is simply the potency. The compounds found in the oil of the steam distilled leaves, stems and flowers is much greater than what we find in dried or even fresh leaves.

Important: Not all basil essential oils are potent, or even safe.

This is because the lax regulations around what can be called "essential oil" or even pure. It's allowed for oil distributors with less integrity, or less know-how to put out on the market "flavorings" that do not meet the standards of what we would consider beneficial essential oils for our health.

In fact, I won't use any basil essential oils other than those offered by our favorite company, doTERRA. We've loved our experience with doTERRA essential oils so much that we now promote them as an affiliate here on Sustainable Baby Steps.

The reason we've had such incredible experiences with their oils has to do with their own standards. They are incredibly specific about each and every step of planting, growing, harvesting, extracting and packaging of their essential oils, even third-party testing each and every batch to ensure their purity of product. Because of their high standards they've even created the Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade label to ensure you're only getting their very best oils.

Some of the incredible studies that have been done on basil essential oils show benefits such as:

• Strongly inhibiting drug resistant bacteria (Opalchenova et al, 2003)
• Reduced mutagenesis in bacteria cells (Beric et al, 2008)
• Was found to have an antioxidant effect on chronic bronchitis when mixed with rosemary, fir and eucalyptus (Siurin, 1997)
• Was found to be insecticidal against cowpea weevils when diffused or powdered (Keita et al, 2001)

And it just makes sense doesn't it? That Nature has provided us everything we need to thrive!

Read More: Choosing the best essential oils possible.

Click here to get our favorite basil oil from doTERRA.

Uses for Basil Essential Oils

Basil essential oils have shown to have the most benefit on the cardiovascular, muscular and skeletal systems of the body. Be sure to follow these guidelines and the precautions below:
Aromatically - Can be diffused in the air or inhaled directly.
Topically - Can be applied directly to the skin or within a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, for young or sensitive skin. Start with one drop to 1-3 tsp of carrier oil and increase as needed.
Internally - Generally recognized as safe by the FDA (21CFR182.20) to be used in cooking, adding a drop to purified water or taken as a dietary supplement, diluting 1 drop in 1 tsp. honey or 4 oz of non-acidic, non-dairy beverage (not for children under 6 years old and in greater dilution for older children).
NEAT - NEAT means you can generally apply the oil without any dilution, directly to the skin. However, it's always a good idea to patch test your own skin first, just in case, as sensitive skin types may react.

Read more about these uses with this application guide.

Remember that this guide is in no way here to replace medical advice or your own judgment. Consult your doctor, always do a skin test and use caution. Essential oils may be natural, but that doesn't mean they aren't powerful.

Precaution: Avoid during pregnancy (stick with basil leaves in cooking instead). Not for use by anyone with epilepsy. Possible skin sensitivity may occur.

Suggested and Possible Uses of Basil Essential Oils

Amenorrhea (Absence of a Menstrual Cycle)
Apply basil essential oils as directed above to the ankles and heels of the feet and over the lower abdomen.

Autism
Massage one drop of oil and three drops of coconut oil into the feet nightly.

Insect or Bee Bites/Stings
Dilute the basil essential oils with three drops of carrier oil and massage into the bites 1-3 times a day.

Bronchitis
Diffuse the oil throughout the room or home, add a 1-2 drops to a steam tent or bath and massage into the chest.

Bursitis
Massage into the areas of inflammation and pain.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Dilute with 3 drops of coconut oil and apply to the affected area. Massage toward the shoulder, putting moderate pressure along the tendons and muscles as if "stripping".

Chronic Fatigue
Use basil essential oils topically on the feet or by diffusing them aromatically.

Cooking
Add 1-3 drops to a sauce or water. (We suggesting using it in a way that can evenly mix the oil throughout the recipe to avoid one giant flavor patch on something like rice or fish.)

Cramps (Abdominal)
Can be taken internally (such as within capsules) or massages into the inflicted area.

Cuts
Use to prevent infection by diluting and applying to the area.

Earache
Dilute one drop of basil essential oils with 3 drop of carrier oil and massage behind, over and around the ear. Do not use in the ear.

Frozen Shoulder
Mix with Deep Blue essential oil blend and a carrier oil and massage into the area once a day.

Greasy/Oily Hair
Add a drop to your shampoo or mix with baking soda, water and apple cider vinegar and shampoo as normal.

Healing
Use topically, on the base of the feet or over the area of concern when indicated.

Hiatal Hernia
Gently massage topically over the area.

Incisional Hernia
Gently massage topically over the area.

Induce Sweating
Use with or without dilution depending on your skin sensitivity to help cleanse the lymphatic system.

Infertility
Diffuse throughout the home for 20 minutes a day and apply topically around the reflex points of the ankles and feet and over the reproductive organs.

Lactation (Increasing)
Massage a single drop into the breasts, always moving toward the lymphs under the arms.

Mental Fatigue
Diffuse aromatically to uplift and stimulate the senses, or massage into the toes and feet.

Migraines
Diffuse aromatically to relief pain or massage into the temples, base of neck and over the areas of pain.

Mouth Ulcers
Add a drop to water and rinse the mouth 1-3 times a day as indicated. You might also consider adding a drop of lemon essential oil and a drop of OnGuard.

Muscle Spasms
Massage into the inflicted area. Consider using Deep Blue essential oil blend as well.

Muscular Dystrophy
Massage topically over the body, and into the reflex points of the feet (described here).

Olfactory Loss (Sense of Smell)
Use aromatically by sniffing the bottle, diffusing, etc as well as topically over the reflex points and over the sinuses (be careful to avoid the eyes and test for sensitivity first).

Ovarian Cyst
Diffuse throughout the room for 20 minutes a day or inhale from a steam tent, and massage over the ovary itself 1-2 times a day.

Schmidt's Syndrome
Massage topically into the reflex points of the feet.

Snake Bites
Dilute lightly and gently apply to the area.

Spider Bites
Apply a single drop the area (dilute for sensitive skin).

Transition in Labor
Massage into the lower back, into the reflex points of the feet during labor transition.

Viral Hepatitis
Use aromatically by diffusing or inhaling when indicated, and massage into the feet and over the body.

Wounds
When indicated, gently apply to the area of concern or over the reflex points for the feet and hands.

Other possible uses include: any respiratory, digestive and kidney issues, fevers, epidemics, malaria, liver and gallbladder problems, menstrual regulation, anxiety and depression, chills, colds, fainting, insect repellant, memory and alertness, nasal inflammation, hiccups and more. Just take a look at the properties above to get an idea of more uses for basil essential oils.

Where to Buy Basil Essential Oil

Because quality is everything when it comes to essential oils, never buy your oils from the grocery store. Although they may be suitable for aroma, they aren't the quality you need for health purposes. This is why we support and affiliate for our favorite brand, doTERRA essential oils.

There are several ways to get your hands on basil essential oil: retail, discounted, or wholesale.

But retail sucks.

So we recommend purchasing a discounted or wholesale account (similar to something like Costco) to get the best prices on this or other oils. Which is the best fit for you will depend on your needs.

Retail (International)

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Or read more about this offer here.

Ready To Take More Sustainable Baby Steps?

Learning how to properly use basil essential oils is one sustainable way to live healthy, thriving lives.

When you're ready for a few more steps check out the articles below.

Whatever step you take, remember to have fun!

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