.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum L.

Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae).

Synonyms: Ocimum americanum ssp. americanum ; Reunion basil, Comoran basil.

Origin: Annual herbaceous plant native to Asia and Africa. It's cultivated throughout Europe as a culinary herb.

Botanical Description: A robust, aromatic annual plant up to 0.7 m (6-25 in) high with an erect stem and very green, ovate leaves, grayish-green beneath, and white, greenish or purplish pinky-white flowers. The whole plant has a very powerful aromatic scent. The linalool chemotype is preferred for aromatherapy.

Oil Extraction: Essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and flowering tops. The oil is a colorless to pale yellow mobile liquid. Yield around 1%.

Aroma Profile: The linalool type basil oil has a sweet-spicy, slightly green, fresh top note, with a balsamic, sweet-spicy and anisic middle note. Has lasting sweetness. The methyl chavicol type basil oil has a sweet-herbaceous top note with a slightly camphoraceous undertone.

Major Constituents: Linalool type-mainly linalool. Methyl chavicol type-mainly methyl chavicol.

Adulterants: linalool type for methyl chavicol type and vice versa.

Regulatory Status: GRAS 182.20.

Aromatherapy: Clarifying, uplifting, energizing, strengthening, refreshing.

Blends well with: Bergamot, clary sage, lime, citronella, geranium, hyssop, rose.

Safety Data: Mild skin and eye irritant. Avoid during pregnancy.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Want to learn more? Take our Online Aromatherapy Course.