Holy Basil Steam Distilled Oil

Holy Basil is also known as tulsi in India. It is commonly used to enhance the flavour of many recipes today. However, its uses extend far beyond the culinary world. It has been used for centuries to treat all kinds of health concerns.

As a natural anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibiotic and diuretic, basil has been used in traditional Asian Indian medicine practices for years. Today, basil is known for its use in cases of stomach spasms, loss of appetite, fluid retention, head colds, warts and even intestinal worm infections. (1)

While fresh basil herbs are also beneficial and a great way to flavour recipes, basil essential oil is much more concentrated and potent. The compounds found in basil oil are steam-distilled from fresh basil leaves, stems and flowers to form an extract that contains high levels of antioxidants and other beneficial phytochemicals.

Some of the Benefits 

• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-viral
• Anti-inflammatory
  
• Relieving congestion
• Diuretic
• Antioxidant - Fighting Free radical damage
• Stimulating the nervous system
• Stimulating the adrenal cortex

According to a 2014 review published by the Department of Phytochemistry at the Indian Council of Medical Research, basil oil has been effectively used as a traditional medicinal plant for the treatment of headaches, coughs, diarrhea, constipation, warts, worms, kidney malfunctions and more. (2) 

1. Potent Antibacterial 

Basil oil has shown impressive antimicrobial activity against a wide range of food-borne bacteria, yeasts and mould. Researchers have shown that basil oil is effective against a common food born pathogen known as E.coli 

Another study has shown that Ocimum basilicum oils can decrease bacteria due to spoilage and food-borne pathogens when it’s included in the water used to wash fresh organic produce. (3)

2. Cold and Flu Treatment

Don’t be too surprised if you see basil on a list of essential oils that can help relieve cold and flu symptoms. Reader’s Digest, for example, recently included basil essential oil on that exact type of list and highlighted its “anti-spasmodic qualities that work best if you do a steam inhalation or drink tea made with this.” (4)

So how can basil oil help with a cold or flu case? Both the common cold as well as the flu are caused by viruses and research has shown that basil oil is a natural anti-viral. (5) So it may be surprising but true that basil oil can be used as a natural cold remedy. 

3. Natural Odour Eliminator and Cleaner

Basil is capable of eliminating odour-causing bacteria and fungus from your home, car, appliances and furniture thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. (6) 

4. Flavour Enhancer

You’re probably familiar with how just a couple of fresh basil leaves can majorly enhance a dish. Basil oil can also infuse a wide variety of recipes with its signature aroma and flavour. All it takes is adding one or two drops to juices, smoothies, sauces and dressings in place of using fresh torn basil. In the process, you’ll make your kitchen smell great and reduce the risk for food contamination, too! Now, there’s a win-win situation.

5. Muscle Relaxant

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, basil oil can help with aching muscles. (7) Useful as a natural muscle relaxer, you can rub a few drops of basil essential oil along with coconut oil into painful, swollen muscles or joints. To further help relax tense areas and feel immediate relief, try soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salts and a couple drops of lavender and basil oil.

6. Ear Infection Remedy

Basil oil is sometimes recommended as a natural ear infection remedy.

A study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases used an animal model to look at the effects of putting basil oil into the ear canals of subjects with middle ear infections. What did they find? The basil oil  “cured or healed” over half of the animal subjects with ear infections due to H. influenzae bacteria compared to about a six percent heal rate in the placebo group. (8)

Rubbing a a couple drops of antibacterial basil oil diluted in a carrier oil like coconut or almond behind the ears and on the bottoms of the feet may speed up the time it takes to recover from ear infections while also reducing pain and swelling.

7. Homemade Toothpaste and Mouthwash

To remove bacteria and odour from your mouth, you can add several drops of pure basil oil to your mouthwash or toothpaste. You can also include it in a homemade mouthwash or homemade toothpaste recipe. 

8. Energizer and Mood Enhancer

Inhaling basil can help restore mental alertness and fight fatigue since it’s naturally a stimulant that works on the nervous system and adrenal cortex. Many people find it beneficial for reducing symptoms like sluggishness, brain fog and poor moods that accompany adrenal fatigue or chronic fatigue.

Diffuse basil essential oil throughout your home or inhale it directly from the bottle. You can also combine a couple drops of basil oil with a carrier oil like jojoba and put it on your wrists for an instant pick-me-up.

9. Insect Repellent

Similarly to other essential oils, including citronella and thyme oil research has shown that the volatile oils found in basil can repel mosquitoes and help to prevent bug bites. (9)

To make a homemade bug spray or lotion, dilute several drops of basil essential oils with carrier oil and massage into skin or swollen bites as needed.

10. Acne and Insect Bite Remedy

Since skin breakouts are mainly caused by a built-up bacteria, excess oil and small areas of infections, basil essential oil can act as a home remedy for acne.  Basil essential oil is one of several essential oils that can effectively kill skin pathogens that lead to acne breakouts. When it come the skin, it’s also used for natural treatment of insect bites and wasp stings. (10)

Human research also demonstrates that basil essential oil can help to clear up acne lesions with little little discomfort or side effects after application. If there was any burning or redness, it disappeared within a few minutes of application. (11)

Using a clean cotton ball, apply one to two drops of basil oil along with coconut or jojoba oil  to the affected area once or twice daily.

11. Digestive Booster

Basil essential oil is known for helping to stimulate digestion and relieving constipation Pure basil oil can be taken internally by adding one to two drops to warm water or tea, or you can inhale it and massage it directly into painful areas such as the abdomen and lower back.

12. Stress-Fighter

Basil oil is known to be uplifting and renewing, which makes it useful for lowering symptoms of anxiety, fear or nervousness. Used for aromatherapy for centuries to help people deal with racing thoughts and overwhelming feelings, you can burn basil oil at home to relax and unwind. This can also work quickly for natural headache relief.

Massage one or two drops with a carrier oil into your feet or over your adrenals nightly to reduce stress.

13. Hair Booster

To strip away excess grease or build-up on your hair while adding shine, add a drop or two of basil oil to your shampoo. You can also try mixing it with baking soda and apple cider vinegar to balance scalp pH while removing grease and residue from hair naturally.

15ml