Basil oil

Basil oil is mainly used in cosmetics, aromatherapy and gastronomy.

In some cultures, basil oil is also used to treat illness – a practice that is neither scientifically proven nor recognized in the Western world.

In this article, we have tried to gather the scientific data available on the properties of basil oil in relation to human health.

In addition, you can read about the many practical applications of basil oil.

Types of basil oil

There are three different types of basil oil:

• “Real” basil oil (extracted from the basil plant)
• Blend oil (where basil oil is included in the blend)
• Olive oil with basil added

Properties of basil oil

Undocumented properties

Basil oil and the basil plant have long been used in the world of natural medicine and in some cultures and countries – such as India – basil is used to treat stress, asthma and diabetes. However, these properties are not scientifically proven, nor are the following uses:

The above are just a few of the many properties some people attribute to basil oil – there are many more. However, none of the above claims are scientifically proven and should not be relied upon if you have health concerns (consult a doctor instead).

Researched properties with missing evidence

Although the properties below have been investigated in scientific studies, they cannot be considered proven due to the nature of the studies, results or conclusions:

• Skin: Basil oil can relieve pimples and blemishes as it has an antibacterial effect (see e.g. this and this study). Several studies have also shown that basil oil can be used to make the skin more permeable, which may be useful in medical applications.

• Burnout: Although more scientific evidence is needed to support this claim, a 2013 study indicated that inhaling essential oils can “decrease perceived levels of central fatigue/burnout”. The study involved 14 burned-out subjects inhaling a blend of peppermint oil, basil oil and eternal flower over 3 weeks.

• Illnesses:
  • Cancer: An Indian study from 2012 has shown that basil oil has a cytotoxic effect on cancer cells in mice and thus may be used in cancer treatment. The anti-cancer effects of basil oil are also supported by other studies. However, common to all studies in this area is that they were conducted on mice or rats, so the properties found cannot be assumed to also apply to humans.
  • Dengue fever: A number of studies have indicated that basil oil has a deterrent effect on and is toxic to the mosquitoes (A. aegypti) that infect humans with dengue fever (also in combination with other essential oils). This means that basil oil may be used as an alternative to, in combination with, or as an ingredient in mosquito sprays against A. aegypti. Examples of studies can be found here and here.

• Food: Although basil oil is not widely used in the food industry, several studies (e.g. this and this) have pointed out that its antiseptic properties can be useful. Basil oil is primarily of interest to the food industry for extending the shelf life of foods and as an alternative to artificial preservatives. These properties may also be relevant to the pharmaceutical industry.

It is also possible that some of the properties of the basil plant – such as antiviral properties – may also apply to basil oil (although these have not yet been studied and are therefore unproven).

Documented properties

There is sufficient scientific evidence to conclude that basil oil has the following properties:

• Antiseptic
• Antifungal

Uses of basil oil

Skin and hair

Because basil oil has antibacterial properties, some people use it to treat acne and blemishes. Some proponents also believe that it gives the skin a healthier glow and can even be used to give hair more shine. However, these uses are not scientifically proven.

If you want to try basil oil as a skin or hair product, you should start with 2-3 teaspoons of oil and then increase the amount if necessary. If you have sensitive skin or have previously experienced skin irritation when applying essential oils, it is recommended that you dilute the oil with a base oil and start by testing the oil on a small area of skin.

Gastronomy

Basil oil can be used in cooking. It is especially good in pasta dishes and salad dressings.

Aromatherapy

Basil oil can be blended with the following oils:

In aromatherapy, basil oil is mainly used for inhalation and in hot baths.

Precautionary measures

Although there is not complete clarity about the potentially harmful effects of basil oil on the human body, the following warnings are the most common:

• Pregnant women should not use basil oil (although some believe that basil oil stimulates milk production in the breasts)

• Children and adolescents under the age of 16 should be cautious when using basil oil

• Basil oil may irritate the skin