Aromatherapy and Essential Oils

Basil (Piper Nigrum)

Family Name: Labiatae

Description: Basil is a delicate plant with light-green oval leaves and white flowers. Basil is a very popular culinary herb in Europe.
The oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves.

Note: Top

Origins: The name of the plant is derived from the Greek ‘basilicon’, meaning royal. Basil has a long history in India were it held to be sacred to the Hindu gods Krishna and Vishnu and is know as ‘tulsi’.

Uses: Helps to ease abdominal cramps and vomiting. Useful for all types of respiratory congestion. Basil is an excellent nerve tonic, helping to lift anxious states and depression. It is a very good oil to use on muscles, especially after physical exertion. Basil helps to clear the head and aid mental intellect, promoting alertness in the morning and sound sleep in the evening.

Cautionary Note: Avoid with pregnancy, babies, infants and children. Can have a stupefying effect if used in large doses. High doses are also carcinogenic.

sourced by kind permission: Karen Morgan Celtic Touch