Essential Nose Sweet Basil
Ocimum basilicum
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.[1][2]
- 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
References
- [1]Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oils depends on seasonal variations — Hussain AI et al. Food Chemistry, 2008
- [2]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