The herb basil is a member of the Lamiaceae plant family; there are many varieties of basil but the most common species of basil are sweet, or French, basil (Ocimum basilicum) and exotic basil (0cimum basilicum). These two species of basil are botanically the same in plant classification but there are subtle differences between the species. Other species of basil include Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), East Indian basil (Ocimum gratissimum), bush basil (Ocimum minimum) and hairy basil (ocimum canum).
The Herb Sweet Basil
Sweet basil originates from Africa and tropical Asia; it is now commonly known as European or French basil, as it is used widely throughout Mediterranean Europe in France, Spain and Italy. Sweet basil is also cultivated in North and South America. It is an annual herb, which grows up to two feet in height; sweet basil has aromatic oval leaves and fragrant white or pink flowers, when exposed to heat.
The Herb Exotic Basil
Exotic basil is found mainly in the Comoro Islands and, to some extent, Madagascar; it is a slightly bigger plant than that of sweet basil and chemically it has a very different make-up. Sweet basil is the preferred basil species for use as an essential oil, as the chemical components of sweet basil are less toxic than those of exotic basil; exotic basil has little use as an essential oil.
Historical Use of Basil
Basil has had much use in Far Eastern medicine, especially that of Ayurvedic medicine; basil has been used in traditional Far Eastern medicine for colds, coughs, bronchitis, asthma and emphysema. It has also been used to treat malaria and other epidemics; basil is used as an antidote to (poisonous) snake and insect bites. Basil was reputedly used by Dioscorides to treat headaches and Pliny believed that basil was an aphrodisiac.
Use of Basil in Aromatherapy
Sweet basil is the preferred plant species used as an essential oil in aromatherapy; properties of basil essential oil include antiseptic, anti-viral, anti- bacterial, decongestant, carminative, expectorant, nervine, restorative, emmenagogue (and therefore not recommended for use in pregnancy) and as a general tonic. Basil essential oil is used to treat anxiety, stress, insect bites, sinusitis, colds, migraine, insomnia, ulcers, depression, menstrual difficulties and other problems.
Other Uses of Basil
Basil is a well known Mediterranean herb used in the kitchen to add flavor to many dishes; it is also used in expensive perfumes and soaps. Holy basil, the Indian species of basil, is considered to be a sacred herb and is offered to the god Vishnu; holy basil is often grown in gardens and outside of temples for protection and luck.
Other Types of Basil
In addition to the basil species already mentioned, there are well over 100 species of basil; different species of basil produce many different fragrances and are different visually (in leaves, flowers and height) and chemically. Therefore, if choosing basil for a particular purpose it is important to correctly identify the exact species of basil chosen.
For Related Reading by the Same Author:
References and for Further Reading:
Davis, Patricia 1999 Aromatherapy An A-Z UK: Vermilion
Harding, Jennie 2005 Aromatherapy Massage for You UK: Duncan Baird Publishers Ltd
Lawless, Julia 2001 The Aromatherapy Garden UK: Kyle Cathie Ltd
Lawless, Julia 1995 The illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils UK: Thorsons
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