Why basil essential oil is useful and how to use it correctly
Oil basilica have been in use for several millennia. Translated from Greek "basil" means "king". This oil used to be one of the ingredients of the royal anointing mixture. Read about the beneficial properties and uses of basil and oil from it below.
The content of the article
Features of basil oil
Basil essential oil is produced only from the Ocimum basilicum variety. It is an annual plant grown in the Comoros, Egypt and southern France. The largest amount of derivatives - 0.1% - is found in the inflorescences of the plant. The best parts of the basil are selected and distilled with steam.
At the end of the growing season, the plants use all the greens for production. The oil is the same quality, but the yield is less - 0.065%.
Important! Basil varieties such as Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum minimum and Ocimum canum are also used to make essential oils. But their composition is different from the real basil.
Description and characteristics
Colorless or yellowish basil oil has a viscous consistency. The aroma is pleasant, slightly tart and spicy-sweet, with woody, balsamic notes of camphor and tarragon.
Composition
Basil oil contains many beneficial ingredients. Their combination is unusual and exclusive:
- fragrant eugenol (up to 70% of the composition) in the pharmaceutical industry is a part of painkillers and antiseptics, is used in dentistry;
- camphor has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, local irritant, analgesic and expectorant effect;
- linalool participates in metabolic processes;
- bioflavonoids provide an antioxidant effect;
- cineole is a natural antiseptic;
- ocimene is used in perfumery compositions;
- vitamins A, B2, C, PP have a tonic effect and improve skin nutrition;
- tannins help to restore the body.
Healing properties
The components in the composition of the basil have a therapeutic, cosmetic, healing effect on the human body. The plant has immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Basil oil has anesthetic, antipyretic, antidepressant, expectorant, antiseptic, diaphoretic, diuretic, antihelminthic effect. This essential concentrate is used for aromatherapy, cosmetic and culinary purposes.
Basil oil uses
Like other essential oils, basil can cause positive changes in the body when used correctly. This is taken into account when consumed and used as external agents.
In cosmetology
This versatile remedy plays a major role in the fight for clean, healthy skin and luxurious hair. It is simple to use, you can use ether daily.
Action on the skin
Cosmetologists use basil oil in face masks and advise you to do them yourself at home, adding 1-2 drops to any mask base. Basil-based products cleanse the skin, tighten pores, relieve sebum and puffiness, and restore elasticity. The face looks fresh, toned, rosy.
The essential oil fights minor inflammation and acne.If you drop it on the site of inflammation, it will dry it out and relieve redness.
With the help of oil, warts are removed: an undiluted product is dripped locally onto the growth. After 7-10 days, the wart disappears, and a layer of healthy skin remains in its place.
To make a fragrant massage agent, add 5 drops of basil ether to 20 ml of almond oil. This massage has an active warming effect.
Action on hair
The easiest way to use ester to heal your hair is to add 2-3 drops to your shampoo. Do this before applying the shampoo to the hair, but not in the tube. They wash their hair in the usual way. As a result, the oiliness of the scalp decreases, the hair density and density increase, and the structure of the shaft improves.
Those who are accustomed to mask care use this recipe: beat 2 egg yolks with banana pulp, add 5 drops of basil ether to this mixture, apply to hair and scalp, rinse off after 30 minutes. After this procedure, the hair keeps styling well. The mask is done regularly, but not more than 2 times a week.
In cooking
Basil oil is used to add a spicy and delicate aroma to dishes. If you use it regularly, you can get rid of flatulence and bloating, improve the digestion and absorption of food, and strengthen the immune system. Basil goes well with cheese, tomatoes, any meat and fish. It is added to salted dough for a spicy and fresh flavor.
Attention! 1 drop of basil ether replaces 1 tsp. with a slide of fresh chopped basil.
Ways to use basil oil
When 2-3 drops are added to a 3-liter pot of prepared soup, the broth becomes clear in appearance and delicate in taste.
To eliminate the undesirable smell of boiled carrots, add 2 drops of ether 2 minutes before the end of cooking directly into the pan where the vegetable is boiled.
When preparing baked tomatoes, vegetable salads, pizzas, add 1-3 drops per 500 g of product. This gives the dishes a unique spicy aroma and tart taste.
Adding to 2 tbsp. l. salt 3-5 drops of basil oil, get a flavored seasoning. It is mixed and keep in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid.
To prepare basil sauce for dressing vegetable salads, take 2 tbsp. l. vegetable oil, add 1-2 drops of lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. 2 drops of basil oil are dripped into this mixture and stirred.
In aromatherapy
Aromatherapy refers to alternative medicine and means treatment with aromatic essential concentrates. This method includes adding oil:
- in masks for face and hair;
- in a mixture for massage;
- when taking a bath;
- when inhaled: hot, when basil oil is dripped into slightly cooled boiled water, and cold - they drip into aromaculons and carry with them, hanging on the neck;
- in aroma lamps, stones, sticks.
Various methods of aromatherapy with basil oil have a healing effect on the human psyche. With daily use, the patient thinks more clearly, neuroses pass, the emotional background is restored, the mood rises, and concentration of attention improves.
If ether is used 2-3 times a week, the tension from mental activity goes away, vitality is restored, self-esteem increases.
Doctors recommend basil mixtures when dealing with stress and chronic fatigue syndrome. The aromatic oil stimulates physical activity, relieves insomnia, relieves anxiety and helps to think clearly.
In magic
Basil essential oil has long been used in home magic. For cleansing and protection from all evil, 3-5 drops of a miracle cure were dropped into a saucer and placed near the front door of the house. To protect against dark forces and get rid of essences, bags filled with any herbs with 1 drop of basil ether were placed under the pillow.
Some methods are used by people in our time.For example, to cleanse negativity, basil oil is added to an evening bath if you feel that you have been adversely affected by a malevolent person. To attract wealth and new opportunities, oil is dripped into a wallet or pocket. Before the start of the day, some vendors flavor counters to attract shoppers.
Basil ether is believed to evoke sympathy between people. They keep a small bottle with them so as not to quarrel with anyone.
Basil is a powerful aphrodisiac that increases sex drive. For a passionate relationship, a saucer with 3-5 drops of this oil is placed under the bed.
Administration and dosage
Basil oil is not used in its pure form, only as an additive to the main components. This is due to the high concentration of essential substances, which, if they get on the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, stomach (if swallowed), cause severe burns.
Essential oil application table.
| Purpose of application | Dosage | Term and features of use |
| Enrichment of hair masks, addition to shampoos | 5 drops per 10 ml
|
For a long time, until the effect is obtained, do not add to the tube |
| Adding to face masks | 2 drops in 1 dose | Immediately |
| Hot inhalation | 1-2 drops per liter of water
|
5 minutes. |
| Cold inhalation | 2-3 drops on a scarf or in an aroma pendant
|
Carried in a pocket or purse at all times until recovery |
| Taking a bath | 4-7 drops with the addition of sea salt, cream, milk | 10-15 minutes at a temperature of + 38 ° С |
| Massage cream | 4-7 drops per 10 ml of base oil | During the course of massage |
| Oil burner | 3-7 drops until completely evaporated | 3-5 days in the evenings |
| Eating | 1 drop 3 times a day with linden tea or honey | 3 weeks |
Contraindications
Basil essential oil has contraindications, so you should consult a physician before using it. If this is not possible, an allergic reaction test is independently carried out: 1 drop is added to the base, and then applied to the wrist or the bend of the elbow. If in 10 minutes. the place of application did not turn red, which means there is no allergy.
There are a number of contraindications for which you do not use concentrated essential oil:
- thrombosis;
- transferred myocardial infarction;
- hypertension;
- epilepsy;
- pregnancy.
Possible side effects from the use of basil - heart palpitations, hypertension, irritability, edema and burns of mucous membranes, skin rash, bleeding during pregnancy - develop within 20-30 minutes. If such symptoms appear, they urgently consult a doctor.
How to make basil oil at home
To make butter with your own hands, certain rules are followed.
Method 1
You need a distiller for cooking. The unit works like this: under the influence of high temperature, the essential components are released from the fresh plant and enter the filter, where they are separated from the water. The temperature in the distiller is maintained at + 180 ° С.
The duration of the distillation is 2-3 hours. The resulting concentrate is filtered through thick gauze and stored in a dark screwed glass container.
Method 2
It turns out not pure basil oil, but a mixture of oils, since the base is taken for distillation - natural extra virgin olive oil (¾ tbsp.). Basil will need 2 bunches.
The leaves of the plant are washed, poured over with boiling water, left for 10 minutes, then cooled and dried with a napkin. Basil is mixed with base oil and ground in a blender until smooth.
This gruel is passed through a sieve: first, dark basil juice will drain, and then oil is dripped. Store it in a dark container in the refrigerator. Expiration date - 1 month.
How to choose a ready-made
For those who do not have the time and ability to make oil on their own, the essential product is sold in stores and pharmacies.
When choosing, pay attention to:
- container - opaque glass;
- the lid is tightly screwed, the integrity is not broken;
- volume - highly concentrated essential oils, they are sold in bottles of 10 ml.
In a container with a volume of 100-200 ml, diluted oil is sold, which is intended for food purposes. It is important not to confuse it with aromatic.
How much is
Basil oil is expensive. The price of a real aroma product made from Ocimum basilicum starts from 400 rubles. for 10 ml.
If the price does not suit the pharmacy or the store, they follow the discounts in online stores dealing with retail delivery of oils.
Read also:
When to harvest and how to dry basil properly.
Plant compatibility: what to plant next to basil and why it is important.
How to properly freeze basil for the winter: a selection of the best ways.
Conclusion
Basil oil is prized for its medicinal properties. Its use is diverse: in cooking, cosmetology, medicine. The aroma product is a highly concentrated product that, if used correctly, is very beneficial for the body. Buy only certified products in a pharmacy or a specialized store. This is the only way to be sure of the quality and safety of the product.