Basil Oil Product Description 
Basil is a culinary must-have that has been used to enhance the taste of food of cultures across the world. This herb is part of the mint family and is great for adding a fresh, herbal flavor to meats, pastas, and entrées. Though Basil oil is known for its culinary benefits; it also has a variety of uses for both the mind and the body. The basil plant and Basil oil is rich with linalool, a naturally occurring chemical, which is beneficial in decreasing feelings of tension when applied to the temples and reducing anxious feelings when diffused. Diffusing Basil oil can also help to promote a sense of mental alertness and focus. This well-rounded essential oil is a great addition to a kitchen, study area, office, or travel bag for on-the-go convenience. 
 
Basil Oil Uses and Benefits

1. After a lively day playing sports or engaging in activity, apply a few drops of Basil oil to the areas of your skin that you feel could use some soothing. By rubbing Basil oil into the skin of these areas, your skin will experience a cooling sensation that is perfect for relaxing your body after an active day. Basil oil acts as a powerful cooling agent for the skin and can bring a sense of relief when you need it most.
   
2. Diffusing Basil oil has many powerful benefits and can be used to improve a variety of different situations. Basil oil has the capability to promote a sense of mental alertness and lessen anxious feelings when diffused. Try bringing your diffuser and Basil oil to work with you and then diffuse it when you are feeling tense or are at the end of a long work day and are seeking feelings of relief. If you or someone you know is having difficulty focusing when studying or reading, diffuse Basil oil to promote a sense of focus and mental alertness.
   
   If you are looking for a great Basil oil diffuser blend, try combining Lime, Bergamot, and Peppermint with Basil. This blend will not only give you the benefits of Basil oil, it will also provide you with an invigorating aroma that will positively affect your mood with stimulating and refreshing properties.
   
3. After a long day, what better way to unwind than with a light massage with Basil essential oil? Add Basil and Wintergreen together with a carrier oil. Use this blend and massage it onto the back of your neck or have a friend help. This blend will assist in relieving stress and providing a relaxing experience. The natural components of Basil oil will help dispel feelings of tension and act as a cooling agent for the skin.  
4. The discomforts that accompany a menstrual cycle can cause intense aches and muscle cramps that can sometimes hinder normal daily activity. In order to ease some of the effects of the menstrual cycle, put one drop of Basil oil into a Veggie Capsule and take internally to help provide soothing support during a menstrual cycle. Basil oil is a powerful oil when it comes to feminine discomforts. By internally taking appropriate amounts of Basil, the oil can help diffuse the monthly unease and can assist in getting women back on their feet and enjoying their regular routines.
   
   
5. Basil oil is a wonderful way to spice up a variety of meals—especially Italian meals. From creamy pastas to your favourite orzotto, don’t forget to add an herbal kick by incorporating Basil oil into your Italian cuisines. The Basil plant is a commonly used herb in cooking because of its flavourful benefits. By adding a drop of Basil oil to your meals, you can create a culinary masterpiece that will be tasty and refreshing.  

Fun Fact
In Italian culture, basil was used as a sign of love. Placing a pot of basil on a balcony meant that a woman was ready for her suitor to come. If the man arrived with a sprig of basil, then the woman would fall in love with him. Wearing basil on his person signified that a man had serious intentions for a woman he was courting.1
 
 
Chemistry of Basil Oil
Main Chemical Component: Linalool 
 
One of Basil’s most prominent chemical components is linalool. Linalool is a natural chemical found in a variety of plants and flowers. High linalool content in both plants and flowers has the unique ability to help relax the mind and body, especially when concentrated into an essential oil. The linalool found in the basil plant and Basil essential oil is known for its ability to reduce feelings of tension and sadness when ingested. Scientists in Mexico City recently found that linalool affects the monoaminergic system of the brain, which includes such familiar neurotransmitters as serotonin and dopamine, and the adrenaline/noradrenaline adrenergic system.* Linalool is extremely effective on these neurotransmitters because it acts on multiple receptors in this monoaminergic system. When substances like linalool target multiple receptors, they are more potent and longer lasting than molecules that only target one receptor. Because linalool supports brain chemistry balance in these receptors, it reduces sad feelings.3*  The high linalool content in basil plants and Basil oil provides a great natural solution for balancing mood and reducing sad moods.

Essential Oil Spotlight

​Plant Description
Basil is a perennial plant that is part of the Lamiaceae (mints) family. There are many different varieties of Basil plants and they are typically grown for their leaves, which are used as herbs. These basil leaves are oval shaped and are either green or purple. The Basil leaves branch from a single stem that also produces clusters of white flowers at its tip. The leaves of the basil plant can grow up to 3–11 cm long and the plant as a whole can grow to be 30–130 cm tall. 

Emotional well-being
Basil
Renewal
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The symptoms of adrenal exhaustion help identify the main moods that are improved with Basil, primarily fatigue, low energy, being overwhelmed, and the inability to cope with life's stressors. The smell of Basil oil brings strength to the heart and relaxation to the mind. This oil is also excellent for states of nervousness, anxiousness, and despair. 

Basil oil supports those who are under a great deal of mental strain. It brings rejuvenation of vital forces after long periods of burnout and exhaustion. Basil oil may strengthen the adrenals and restore the body to its natural rhythms of sleep, activity, and rest.

Basil oil is also helpful  
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(Taken from the book “Emotions and Essential oils”)

Let us know about your experiences with this oil in the comments below. ​