Action. Antispasmodic, carminative, galactagogue, sedative (mild), stomachic, antibacterial, vermifuge, anti-depressant. Adrenal stimulant.
Uses: Nervous irritability, increase secretion of milk in nursing mothers, nausea, vomiting. Little used in present-day UK herbalism. Stomach cramp (China). Recovery after hysterectomy.
Combines well with Lemon Balm for depression.
Preparations: Tea. 1 teaspoon dried (2 teaspoons fresh) herb to each cup boiling water. Infuse 10 minutes. Dose: One-third-1 cup thrice daily.
Salads: addition of 2-3 fresh leaves as a nerve sustainer.
External. Basil oil protects against some types of fungus. Fresh juice – lotion for warts, stings.
No longer used in Aromatherapy, or in pregnancy.
Habitat: Lower hills of Punjab; cultivated throughout India.
English: Sweet Basil, Basil Herb.Ayurvedic: Barbari, Tuvari, Tungi, Kharpushpa, Ajgandhikaa, Baabui Tulasi.Unani: Faranjmishk. (also equated with Dracocephalum moldavica Linn. by National Formulary of Unani Medicine.), Raihan (also equated with O. sanctum). (used as a substitute for Phanijjaka.)Siddha/Tamil: Tiruneetruppachhilai.Folk: Bana-Tulasi. Sabzaa (Maharashtra).Action: Flower—stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, diuretic, demulcent. Seed—antidysenteric. Juice of the plant—antibacterial. Essential oil—antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal.
(Because of high estragole content of the essential oil, the herb should not be taken during pregnancy, nursing or over extended periods of time.) (German Commission E.) Included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.The herb contains an essential oil; major constituents are linalool (up to 55%) methyl ether (estragole) up to 70% and eugenol; caffeic acid derivatives; flavonoids. Thymol and xan- thomicrol were isolated from the leaves. Aesculetin, p-coumaric acid, eriodic- tyol, its 7-glucoside and vicenin-2 from leaves have been isolated.The essential oil at concentration of 0.15% completely inhibited mycelial growth of twenty two species of fungi, including mycotoxin-producing strains of Aspergillus flavus and A. par- asiticus. Leaves act as an insect repellent externally; bring relief to insect bites and stings.In homoeopathy, the fresh mature leaves are used to treat haematuria, inflammation and congestion of kidney.Dosage: Whole plant—50-100 ml decoction; seed—1-3 g powder. (CCRAS.)... ocimum basilicumFAMILY: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
SYNONYMS: Sweet basil, Comoran basil (oil), Reunion basil (oil).
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Botanically classified as identical from the French basil, though it is a larger plant with a harsher odour and different constituents.
DISTRIBUTION: Mainly produced in the Comoro Islands, but it is also processed in Madagascar.
OTHER SPECIES: The exotic basil is a dramatically different chemotype to the French basil and probably a seperate sub-species (possibly a form of O. canum), although this has not been specified. Essential oils are also produced in Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia from various chemotypes of the East Indian or shrubby basil (O. gratissimum), which contain a high percentage of either thymol or eugenol. The hairy or hoary basil (O. canum), originating in East Africa and found in India and South America, is also used to extract oils rich in either methyl cinnamate or camphor, which are produced in West and East Africa, India, the West Indies and Indonesia. See also entry on French basil.
HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: See French Basil.
ACTIONS: See Basil French.
EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the leaves and flowering tops.
CHARACTERISTICS: The Exotic type oil is yellow or pale green, with a slightly coarse sweet-herbaceous odour with a camphoraceous tinge. It’s scent does not compare with the ‘true’ sweet basil oil.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly methyl chavicol (70–88 per cent), with small amounts of linalol, cineol, camphor, eugenol, limonene and citronellol.
SAFETY DATA: Methyl chavicol is moderately toxic and irritating to the skin: ‘the methyl chavicol content of Comoran basil is sufficient reason to discard it for therapeutic usage in favour of the French type.’6 There has also been some recent concern over the possible carcinogenic effects of methyl chavicol. Basil should be avoided during pregnancy.
AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE None.
OTHER USE The oil is employed in high class fragrances, soaps and dental products; used extensively in major food categories especially meat products and savories.... basil, exotic
FAMILY: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
SYNOYNMS Common basil, joy-of-the-mountain, ‘true’ sweet basil, European basil.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A tender annual herb, with very dark green, ovate leaves, greyish-green beneath, an erect square stem up to 60 cms high, bearing whorls of two-lipped greenish or pinky-white flowers. The whole plant has a powerful aromatic scent.
DISTRIBUTION: Native to tropical Asia and Africa, it is now widely cultivated throughout Europe, the Mediterranean region, the Pacific Islands, North and South America. The European, French or ‘true’ sweet basil oil is produced in France, Italy, Egypt, Bulgaria, Hungary and the USA.
OTHER SPECIES: There are many varieties of basil occurring all over the world, used both for their culinary and medicinal applications, such as bush basil (O. minimum), holy basil (O. sanctum), both from India, camphor basil (O. kilimanjaricum) from East Africa (also grown in India), and the fever plant (O. viride) from West Africa. However, there are two principal chemotypes most commonly used for the extraction of essential oil: the so-called ‘French basil’ and the ‘exotic basil’ – see separate entry.
HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: Widely used in Far Eastern medicine especially in the Ayurvedic tradition, where it is called tulsi. It is used for respiratory problems such as bronchitis, coughs, colds, asthma, ’flu and emphysema but is also used as an antidote to poisonous insect or snake bites. It has also been used against epidemics and fever, such as malaria. It improves blood circulation and the digestive system and in China it is used for stomach and kidney ailments.
In the West it is considered a ‘cooling’ herb, and is used for rheumatic pain, irritable skin conditions and for those of a nervous disposition. It is a popular culinary herb, especially in Italy and France.
ACTIONS: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cephalic, digestive, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, galactagogue, nervine, prophylactic, restorative, stimulant of adrenal cortex, stomachic, tonic.
EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the flowering herb.
CHARACTERISTICS: ‘True’ sweet basil oil is a colourless or pale yellow liquid with a light, fresh sweet-spicy scent and balsamic undertone. It blends well with bergamot, clary sage, lime, opopanax, oakmoss, citronella, geranium, hyssop and other ‘green’ notes.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Linalol (40–45 per cent), methyl chavicol (23.8 per cent) and small amounts of eugenol, limonene and citronellol, among others.
SAFETY DATA: Relatively non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization in some individuals. Avoid during pregnancy.
AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE
Skin Care: Insect bites (mosquito, wasp), insect repellent.
Circulation, Muscles and Joints: Gout, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism.
Respiratory Syste: Bronchitis, coughs, earache, sinusitis.
Digestive System: Dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea.
Genito-Urinary System: Cramps, scanty periods.
Immune System: Colds, fever, ’flu, infectious disease.
Nervous System: Anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension: ‘Oil of Basil is an excellent, indeed perhaps the best, aromatic nerve tonic. It clears the head, relieves intellectual fatigue, and gives the mind strength and clarity.’8
OTHER USES: The oil is used in soaps, cosmetics and perfumery; it is also used extensively in major food categories, especially savouries.... basil, french