Basil Essential Oil Through Time: Culture, Cuisine, and Care

Welcome back to Harvesters’ Corner! Spring is here, and several of the plants in my garden are progressing well. I hope that those of you in the southern hemisphere are having a bountiful harvest time. Today we are looking at Basil, Ocimum basilicum, a fascinating herb with a rich history stretching across several continents. Basil is a member of the Lamiaceae family which includes other fragrant herbs like Sage, Rosemary, and Lavender. (1) While most people associate Basil as an Italian staple, Basil’s country of origin is actually India, and dates back nearly five thousand years. There are close to 150 varieties of Basil, based on such criteria as leaves, colors, aromas, and flavor profiles. There are also close cousins which are commonly grouped as Basil, even though they are not true varieties of O. basilicum. These include Camphor Basil (O. kilimandscharicum), Clove Basil (O. gratissimum), and Holy Basil (O. tenuiflorum). Join us as we take a look at the history of this fantastic herb and also look at its multiple uses.

 A Journey Through History, Health Benefits, and Sustainable Harvesting

Much of Basil’s history is tied in with India, where its use dates back to 3,000 BC. The herb was used in food as well as in the ayurvedic medicine. Traders then carried the herb to Egypt. There is much confusion between sources as to whether Basil was used in the embalming process, but there are recorded instances of it being found in in tombs with the deceased. The Greek belief that Basil helped open the gates of heaven found its way across the Mediterranean into Egypt. This sacred use of Basil may be behind the Greek theory that the herb could only be harvested by using tools made out of either gold or silver. While this may have been in reverence to the gods, the intervening years have shown that when basil is harvested with common metal tools the metal oxidizes the plant, causing it to blacken and loose flavor. Experts today recommend tearing Basil when harvesting or preparing it for use. (2) We also owe the plant’s name to the Greeks. Basil is named after the Grecian basilisk, a mythical half-lizard, half-dragon creature possessing a fatal piercing stare. (3) The Greeks thought that the plant could help cure against the stare, breath, and even bite of the basilisk (4) Traders also likely carried the herb through the Himalayan passes into Tibet and China. Written records in the Hunan region of China dating back to the 9th century AD have references to the herb being used in traditional medicine. (5) This timeframe coincides with the influence of the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD). In Africa Basil has been used over the years to lower a person’s body temperature, as well as a repellant against mosquitoes. (6) Basil’s introduction to Europe occurred late in history, occurring around the 1500s during the period we now call the Renaissance, a time of enlightenment and exploration. The most likely route was on trade ships returning from India. Basil has enjoyed a diverse symbology over the years. Some feel that Basil adds strength while fasting. In Portugal Basil is given to a sweetheart or lover on special holidays. Yet in Ancient Greece Basil served two purposes. It was used as a symbol of mourning and sometimes also as a symbol of hatred. (7) If a person did die in ancient Greece after staring down a basilisk, well the chances are that the Basil wasn’t planted properly. The Greeks (and later the Romans) felt that the most potent Basil could only be grown if the gardener was ranting and swearing as the seed was sowed. (8) Keep that in mind if you desire to take your gardening to new levels. Just be prepared for strange stares from your neighbors if you do this as you plant Basil.

Impressive Even Today 

In the present-day Basil has an impressive variety of uses. Most people are familiar with its use as a culinary herb. Research has shown that it supports a healthy inflammatory response, boosts immune support, and is a powerful antioxidant. It is for these reasons that Basil can often be found in supportive measures designed to improve one’s health. (9) Basil also helps aid the digestive process. Basil’s aroma is distinct and its flavor, described as being sweet and peppery with hints of clove and anise, help add depth and fragrance to dishes including salads, sauces, soups and pesto. (10) Basil is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals including copper, calcium, and Magnesium. (11) From a chemical standpoint, Basil contains many constituents including eugenol, linalool, citronellol, and cineole. While these chemical components are also found in other plants (and thus other essential oils), Basil is the only one to have all of them in its makeup.

Basil oil has an impressive range of uses, as well. Like other herbal oils, because there is no adulteration in doTERRA’s Basil, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has certified it as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS). This means that the oil can be added to whatever you are cooking. This includes soups, spaghetti sauce, pesto, even something as simple as a nice cup of tomato soup can benefit from a half-drop of Basil. I know what you’re thinking: “A half-drop, you say. How does one get a half-drop of oil out of the bottle?” The easiest way is taking a toothpick, inserting it into the bottle, and then swirling the toothpick in whatever you are cooking. Start with a small bit and add more if needed. These oils are potent in cooking and will quickly overpower a dish if one is not careful.  

Another way to enjoy Basil essential oil is to mix it with citrus oils like Lime or Bergamot, or a companion oil like Peppermint or Lavender, and diffuse in your room. The scent provides a positive stimulus for your brain and also brightens the atmosphere. Or if you are a little sore from getting out and enjoying nature or are a bit stiff from working in your garden, combine Basil with Wintergreen essential oil and add a carrier oil like Fractionated Coconut Oil and massage into your neck and sore muscles. This is great for easing tension and stimulating the blood flow to the tissue. (12)

Here is the Real Reason I Love Basil Essential Oil: 

One unexpected use for Basil that I came across during my research is that when monthly menstrual cramps drop you to your knees in agony, you can put a drop of Basil oil in a Veggie Cap and take internally. Using an appropriate amount of Basil oil can ease the discomfort and also assist getting you back on your feet so you can enjoy your regular routine once more. (13) This is due to the linalool in the oil, which helps reduce tension in the uterine muscle. Linalool also helps balance chemical receptors in the brain. (14)

 

DoTERRA sources its Basil out of Egypt, specifically the Gharbeya community, located near the distillation factory in Egypt. This is the same region where Jasmine is harvested from. During 2020, that crazy year when the world basically shut down, doTERRA’s sourcing partner in Egypt launched a new program with two hundred farmers to raise Basil. Nearly 1,300 acres (524 hectares) were brought under cultivation to grow this marvelous herb. That number has since grown to 500 farmers. The knowledge being shared through the Co-Impact Sourcing co-operative has taught modern agricultural techniques and encouraged sustainable practices. This, in turn, has helped optimize crop yields and enhance the quality of the product, which leads to a higher quality oil being produced. In addition, these farmers and the people they hire to help harvest the herb are receiving a steady stream of revenue, thus enabling the growers and harvesters to turn their hard labor into tangible economic benefits, and helping them to become even more self-reliant.

I have used Basil essential oil in cooking for over ten years now and was rather excited to learn of the other ways which it can be used, especially where those nagging cramps are concerned. I have also been intrigued by what I have found concerning Basil’s close cousin Tulsi, which is commonly known as Holy Basil. I learned so much, in fact, that I decided to do a separate article on this unique plant. I invite you join us next time, as we dive into Tulsi and see how it differs from Basil, and why this is important in its application in our daily lives. Until then, stay safe!

Sources

1.       Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. “The History of Basil: From Food to Medicine to Religion.” The Spruce Eats, 13 August 2019. Online. <https://www.thespruceeats.com/the-history-of-basil-1807566>. Accessed 11 April 2025.

2.       Sacla Famiglia Italiana. “10 Fascinating Basil Facts You Never Knew.” Date Unknown. Online. <https://www.sacla.co.uk/blogs/news/10-fascinating-basil-facts-you-never-knew?srsltid=AfmBOooenntoy9QLFaoMhRD6N3XWGwc5h3CXNbi 8Lwh_NvnlFuXX4Oi->. Accessed 11 April 2025.

3.       Catrina’s Garden. “The History of Basil.” 25 March 2016. Online. <https://catrinasgarden.com/tag/basil/>. Accessed 26 April 2025.

4.       Ibid.

5.       Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. “The History of Basil: From Food to Medicine to Religion.”

6.       Ibid.

7.       Ibid

8.       Catrina’s Garden. “The History of Basil.”

9.       Mays Cancer Center. “Basil Benefits: Nourishing Cancer Warriors.” 4 May 2024. Online. <https://cancer.uthscsa.edu/news-and-stories/basil-benefits-nourishing-cancer-warriors>. Accessed 11 April 2025.

10.  Rutgers. “Basil History and Culture.” Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences US Basil Consortium, Date Unknown. Online.  <https://usbasilconsortium.rutgers.edu/all-about-basil/basil-history-and-culture/>. Accessed 11 April 2025.

11.  Sacla Famiglia Italiana. “10 Fascinating Basil Facts You Never Knew.”

12.  doTERRA.

13.  doTERRA. “The Blog: Basil Oil Uses and Benefits.” Date Unknown. Online. <https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-basil-oil>. Accessed 12 April 2025.

14.  Ibid.

Disclaimer

All views on Harvesters’ Corner are those of the author. I am a Wellness Advocate with dōTERRA, and I use the essential oils daily. Any purchases made through my affiliate link may earn me a commission. The oils are not intended to treat or cure any illness.