Basil Essential Oil
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. 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, and Neroli. Its aroma is further characterized as somewhat camphorous with nuances of spiciness that energize and stimulate the body and mind to promote mental clarity, enhance alertness, and calm the nerves to keep stress and anxiety at bay.
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. Its digestive properties offer relief for symptoms of metabolic malfunctions, such as nausea, hiccups, vomiting, and constipation.
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. With regular diluted use, it is said to exhibit exfoliating and toning properties which remove dead skin and balance the skin tone to promote the complexion’s natural radiance.
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. 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. In exhibiting these cleansing and clarifying properties, Sweet Basil Oil helps promote the look and feel of soft, lustrous strands.
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. When diluted and added to a warm bath, Sweet Basil Oil is said to soothe menstrual cramps, joint pain, muscular aches and spasms, gout, insect bites, and exhaustion.