Essential Nose Basil
Basil essential oil exists in distinct chemotypes: the European (linalool-dominant, 57-65%) and the exotic or tropical (methyl chavicol/estragole-dominant). The linalool chemotype is a proven broad-spectrum antimicrobial active against Salmonella and Gram-positive bacteria.[1] Estragole, the defining compound of the tropical chemotype, has been shown to reduce carrageenan-induced oedema and inflammatory markers in vivo, demonstrating anti-inflammatory and antiedematogenic activity.[2]
Holy Basil
Ocimum tenuiflorum
- Also Known As
- Tulsi, Sacred Basil, Holy Basil
- Family
- Herbal
- Perfumery Note
- Middle
- Intensity
- Medium
- Extraction
- Steam Distillation
- Plant Parts
- Leaves, Flowering tops
- Origins
- India, Southeast Asia
- Effect
- Focus & Clarity
- Aroma
- Herbal, Spicy, Clove-like, Sweet
- Applications
- Aromatherapy, Medicinal
- Price
- $$$$Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi) is cultivated mainly in India for religious and Ayurvedic markets; moderate production scale but niche demand in the aromatherapy world keeps pricing in the moderate range
Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), also known as Tulsi, produces an essential oil dominated by eugenol, (E)-β-caryophyllene, and methyl eugenol—phenylpropanoid and sesquiterpene constituents with documented antioxidant and pesticidal properties. The oil exhibits potent larvicidal activity against disease-transmitting mosquitoes (LC50 15-56 μg/mL) and strongly inhibits acetylcholinesterase,[3] activities consistent with its eugenol-rich profile and longstanding use in Ayurvedic medicine.
Lemon Basil
Ocimum x citriodorum
- Also Known As
- Citriodorum Basil, Thai Lemon Basil
- Family
- Herbal
- Perfumery Note
- Top
- Intensity
- Medium
- Extraction
- Steam Distillation
- Plant Parts
- Leaves, Flowering tops
- Origins
- Thailand, Africa, India
- Effect
- Uplifting & Energizing, Focus & Clarity
- Aroma
- Citrus, Herbal, Fresh, Lemon
- Applications
- Aromatherapy, Culinary
- Price
- $$$$Steam distillation of Ocimum citriodorum yields only ~0.07% oil — roughly 1,400 kg of plant per kg of oil — making it significantly lower-yielding than common sweet basil
Lemon basil (Ocimum x citriodorum) is a hybrid basil whose bright citrus character derives from a volatile profile dominated by linalool, nerol, and citral. Its extracts are rich in rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid derivatives, and have demonstrated superior antioxidant activity over the reference standard Trolox in both TBARS and OxHLIA assays, alongside antimicrobial activity preferentially active against Gram-positive bacteria and documented anti-inflammatory effects.[4]
Sweet Basil
Ocimum basilicum
- Also Known As
- Common Basil, Garden Basil, European Basil
- Family
- Herbal
- Perfumery Note
- Top
- Intensity
- Medium
- Extraction
- Steam Distillation
- Plant Parts
- Leaves, Flowering tops
- Origins
- India, France, USA, Egypt
- Effect
- Focus & Clarity
- Aroma
- Herbal, Sweet, Anisic, Fresh
- Applications
- Aromatherapy, Culinary, Medicinal
- Price
- $$$$Ocimum basilicum is widely cultivated across Europe and Asia for both culinary and aromatic use; the broad agricultural base and good oil yield from flowering tops keep it modestly priced
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) yields an essential oil whose composition—principally linalool, estragole, and methyl eugenol—varies with season and cultivar, directly influencing bioactivity. The oil exhibits significant antioxidant capacity and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against clinically relevant bacteria (including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and fungal pathogens, with anti-inflammatory effects attributed to cytokine suppression (TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-6) demonstrated in isolated fractions.[5][6]
References
- [1]Antimicrobial activity of basil (Ocimum basilicum) oil against Salmonella enteritidis in vitro and in food — Burt SA et al. Food Microbiol, 2010
- [2]Anti-inflammatory and antiedematogenic activity of the Ocimum basilicum essential oil and its main compound estragole: in vivo mouse models — Rodrigues MV et al. Inflammopharmacology, 2016
- [3]Essential Oil and Waste Hydrosol of Ocimum Tenuiflorum L.: A Low-Cost Raw Material Source of Eugenol, Botanical Pesticides, and Therapeutic Potentiality — Le DG et al. Chemical Biodiversity, 2024
- [4]Phytochemical Characterization and Bioactive Properties of Cinnamon Basil (Ocimum basilicum cv. 'Cinnamon') and Lemon Basil (Ocimum x citriodorum) — Majdi C et al. Antioxidants (Basel), 2020
- [5]Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oils depends on seasonal variations — Hussain AI et al. Food Chemistry, 2008
- [6]Evaluation of the chemical composition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of distillate and residue fractions of sweet basil essential oil — Li H et al. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 2017