Basil Essential Oil EXOTIC

Adam Michael has this to say “Exotic basil has a very different chemistry to sweet basil. Sweet basil is the safer of the two oils as it contains far more d-linalol and far less estragole. Exotic basil contains on average 85% of estragole (aka methyl chavicol) which is a potential carcinogenic and present at only 20% in sweet basil.

Although the main constituent is the estragole in exotic basil the other 15% is made up of 1,8-cineole, alpha-terpineol, alpha-pinene, ß-pinene, camphor, eugenol, ocimene, myrcene; terpinolene and terpinen-4-ol.

Due to the content of estragole this oil exudes a very punjent and somewhat spicy aroma. Steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops and rich yellow to pale green in colour. In Asia this oil is extensively used in massage to treat coughs, colds, fevers.”

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum

Origin: Egypt

Safety Data: Not to be used during pregnancy, may cause skin irritation.