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                        Basil

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                        • A Monograph
                        • Basil

                        All About Basil

                        Basil is used across the world as both an herb and spice. Much research has been done on this aromatic herb that has many health benefits and many chemo-varieties. It is a powerful antioxidant with strong antimicrobial action and can help with wounds, lowering blood sugar, and reducing anxiety. It can be protective to the cardiac, digestive, and nervous systems. It may also help ward of insects, parasites, and inflammation. More research is warranted as well as human studies on the different chemovarieties of basil.

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                        Basil

                        Fun Fact

                        In many Eastern Orthodox churches, basil is used in holy water.

                        Basil Research

                        Over 100 research articles have been catalogued on basil. Reviewing the species and chemovariety in each study is recommended. Much research has demonstrated both the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of various basil species. It reduced certain cancer cells and showed neuroprotective and hepatoprotective activity in vitro. It may also be protective to the digestive and cardiac systems and lower blood sugar levels, improve wounds, fight inflammation, and insects. It also has shown an anxiolytic effect. Human studies are warranted. Click the button below for a detailed review of research.

                        Basil Research

                        Basil Blog Articles

                        Do Essential Oil Diffusers Really Work?
                        It’s Thyme to Get Started: What I will be Planting in My Spring Herb Garden this Year!
                        Easy Lavender Tea Recipe Making Aromatic Teas from Herbs Growing in the Garden
                        Using Essential Oils to Balance the 7 Chakras
                        What’s with My Bitter Basil?

                        Basil Herb and Essential Oil


                        Latin Name: Ocimum basillicum

                        Family: Lamiaceae

                        Chemotypes

                        • Basil (O. basilicum)
                          • Estragole type - high in estragole content up to 87%
                          • Linalool type - high in linalool, eugenol, and linoleic acid
                          • Methyl cinnamate type - high in methyl cinnamate and linalool
                        • Holy basil (O. tenuiflorum, or O. sanctum)
                        • Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora)
                        • Lemon basil (O. citrodorum) high in geranial, neral, and nerol

                        Other Common Names

                        • Also called Albahaca, Basilic, Basilici Herba, common basil, garden basil, Krishna Tulsi, Munjariki, St. Josephwort, Surasa, Vanatulasi, Varvara, Visva Tulsi.

                        Plant Description

                        Basil is a common green, leafy herb. There are over 100 varietes of basil, and many chemotypes.

                        • Chemotype variation also exists based on season of harvest (Hussain, Anwar, Sherazi, & Przbylski, 2006).
                        • The three main variations are a type high in linalool, a type high in estragole, and a type high in methyle cinnamate (Lis-Balchin, 2006).
                        • The chemotype variation is so significant, that further chemotype classification for the species is proposed (Grayer et al, 1996).

                        Herb Description

                        Leaves are prepared fresh or dried. For making a tea, steep 1 Tbsp of dried herb, or 2 Tbsp of fresh herb in 2 cups of boiled water for five minutes. Strain and drink.

                        Essential Oil Description

                        Steam distillation of the leaves, flowers, and buds creates a thin, watery, clear to pale yellow oil. The aroma is uplifting, fresh, herbaceous and has a camphorous undertone.

                        Key Constituents

                          • The estragole type contains up to 87% estragole as well as linalool and 1,8-cineole
                          • The linalool type contains about 34% linalool, 34% eugenol, linoleic acids, and 1,8-cineole
                          • The methyl cinnamate type is up to 63% methyl cinnamate and up to 27% linalool

                        Basil Recipes

                        rosemary infused oil Herb Infused Olive Oil – Does and Don’ts
                        Herbal Infused All Purpose House Cleaner Recipe
                        Holy Basil Pesto Recipe
                        Easy Lavender Tea Recipe Making Aromatic Teas from Herbs Growing in the Garden
                        Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
                        Using Essential Oils to Balance the 7 Chakras

                        Therapeutic Uses

                        Absorption Enhancement / Transdermal Delivery Absorption Enhancement
                        acne Acne
                        dandelion detox tea recipe Alteratives
                        analgesic Analgesic / Pain
                        anti-fungal Anti-fungal
                        anti-inflammatory Anti-inflammatory
                        anti-parasite Anti-parasite
                        antibacterial Antibacterial
                        antimicrobial Antimicrobial
                        Antioxidant
                        antiviral Antiviral
                        anxiety Anxiety / Mood / Anti-depressive
                        cardiac Cardiac Health / High Blood Pressure
                        Cognition / Neuroprotective
                        Digestive Aid / Nausea / Constipation
                        female health Female Health
                        Hypoglycemic / Antidiabetic
                        cinnamaldehyde Hypolipidemic / Cholesterol
                        immune stimulant Immunity
                        insecticide Insecticidal / Pesticidal
                        insomnia Insomnia / Sleep
                        joint pain Joint Pain / Arthritis
                        male health Male Health
                        mouth cold sore Mouth Cold Sores
                        Oral Health
                        Preservative
                        repellent Repellent
                        Sedative / Calming
                        skin & wound health Skin and Wound Health
                        Stimulant / Improved Energy
                        Weight Loss
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                        Thank You for Visiting EarthtoKathy!

                        EarthtoKathy.com offers free access to lists of scientific research studies on common herbs & essential oils. Research is briefly summarized in a sentence or two, and categorized by potential therapeutic use. Plus, there are lots of easy recipes and fun blog articles to be enjoyed!

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                        Therapeutic Uses

                        • Absorption Enhancement
                        • Acne
                        • Alteratives
                        • Altitude Sickness
                        • Analgesic / Pain
                        • Anti-allergy / Anti-histamine
                        • Anti-asthma
                        • Anti-fungal
                        • Anti-inflammatory
                        • Anti-itch
                        • Anti-parasite
                        • Anti-pyretic / Fever
                        • Anti-smoking / Drug Addiction
                        • Anti-snoring
                        • Antibacterial
                        • Antimicrobial
                        • Antioxidant
                        • Antiseptic
                        • Antiviral
                        • Anxiety / Mood / Anti-depressive
                        • Aphrodisiac
                        • Astringent
                        • Athlete’s Foot
                        • Cardiac Health / High Blood Pressure
                        • Children’s Health
                        • Cognition / Neuroprotective
                        • Common Cold / Cough & Congestion / Respiratory
                        • Dandruff
                        • Digestive Aid / Nausea / Constipation
                        • Female Health
                        • Green Cleaning
                        • Hair Growth / Alopecia
                        • Headache Relief
                        • Hypoglycemic / Antidiabetic
                        • Hypolipidemic / Cholesterol
                        • Immunity
                        • Insecticidal / Pesticidal
                        • Insomnia / Sleep
                        • Joint Pain / Arthritis
                        • Male Health
                        • Mouth Cold Sores
                        • Oral Health
                        • Osteoporosis
                        • Preservative
                        • Repellent
                        • Sedative / Calming
                        • Skin and Wound Health
                        • Skin Burns
                        • Stimulant / Improved Energy
                        • Sunscreen
                        • Urinary System / Diuretic / Liver
                        • Weight Loss
                        The information at www.EarthtoKathy.com is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure a diseases as prescribed by a physician. It does not cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, or contraindications. Seek medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before making a change to your health regimen.

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