Basil oil

Basilici aetheroleum, basil oil.  

Basil oil is the essential oil of the dried, above-ground parts of Ocimum basilicum L.  [Fam.  Lamiaceae], obtained by water steam distillation, as well as preparations thereof.  

In vitro antimicrobial.  

Clinical Data

Medicinal and/or clinical reports and other material of empirical medicine for the use of basil oil are not available.  

Combinations containing up to 5 components:

1. Basil oil, rosemary oil, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil.  
2. Basil oil, rosemary oil, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, 1 homeopathic component.  

Combinations containing more than 5 components:

3. Basil oil, juniper berry oil, licorice root, glycyrrhizic acid, horsetail herb, restharrow root, angelica oil, echinacea root, uva ursi leaf, white willow bark, birch leaf, couch grass, Virginian wild black cherry herb.  
4. Basil oil, anise oil, lemon oil, eucalyptus oil, fennel oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, juniper berry oil, citronella oil, guaiazulene, bergamot oil, Siberian pine oil, rosemary oil, mugo pine oil, orange peel oil, thyme oil, sage oil, Maltese orange oil, Chinese cinnamon oil, wintergreen oil, sassafras root oil, spearmint oil, absinthe oil, nutmeg oil, wild thyme oil, mint oil, 1 homeopathic component.  
5. Basil oil, camphor, lemon oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, menthol, peppermint oil, citronella oil, bergamot oil, rosemary oil, mugo pine oil, white spruce oil, cineol, thyme oil, sage oil, spearmint oil, terpineol, myrrh oil, garlic oil, castor oil, orange oil.  

1. Wound treatment, rheumatic discomforts, colds, bruises, painful joints, irrigation therapy.
2. Maintenance and stimulation of sexual capacity, prevention of sexual fatigue in male and female, prevention of frigidity in male and female.  
3. Supportive treatment for infections of the lower urinary tract, as well as inflammations of kidneys, bladder and urethra.  
4. Nasal catarrh, temporary shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, congestion, muscle pain, nerve pain, pain in the limbs (neuralgia), lumbago, sprains, dislocations, contusions, heartburn, flatulence, bad breath, insect bites, body odor, headaches, travel fatigue, inflammation, oral hygiene, air quality improvement, foot baths, bath additive.
5. Supportive therapy for massages used as warm-up procedures of the muscles before sports activities and particularly exertions in order to prevent muscle sprains and muscle spasms and their consequences, and for massages of hardened muscle parts.  

Basil oil contains up to 85 percent estragole.  Estragole, after metabolic activation, shows a mutagenic effect.  Animal experiments point to a carcinogenic effect, which needs further investigation.  

Due to the high estragole content, basil oil preparations should not be used during pregnancy, nursing, by infants and small children, or over extended periods of time.  

None known.  

None known.  

Not to be used during pregnancy and lactation.  

None known.  

None known.  

None known.  

None known.  

Since the effectiveness for the claimed uses is not documented, and because of the risks, a therapeutic application cannot be justified.  

None known.