Basil essential oil is great for coughs, sore muscles and joints.

Essentials oils have been used around the globe for centuries. They are used for both pleasure and medicinal purposes. Medicinally, certain essential oils can be ingested orally to have a biochemical effect on your body. Because essential oils are volatile, meaning they can evaporate into the air especially when added to hot water, they can be breathed in through your respiratory system.

This can have a local effect on your sinuses, nasal passages and lungs. They can even enter your blood circulation through being inhaled which will then have a biochemical effect on your entire body. Topically essential oils work by penetrating your skin to affect an area locally and by penetrating your skin a small amount can enter your blood stream affecting your whole body. Applied topically, essential oils are absorbed through your olfactory nerve in your nose affecting your brain and nervous system. These various pathways can affect your health both mentally and physically. The study of Aromatherapy – the medicinal use of essential oils – falls under the new science called Psychoneuroimmunology, which is the study of the interaction of your psyche, nervous system and immune system. Science has shown that when you have a positive outlook and feel relaxed your immune system works better.

Aromatherapy and the use of essential oils and resins from plants have been used in cultures globally since Biblical times. They were in such demand that they played an important role in international trade around the globe. In Egypt, high priests recorded the many medicinal uses of essential oils onto papyrus paper. Records show the Chinese used aromatic herbs and massage over 2000 years ago. And in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, essential oils were and still are used in massage and on pressure points to correct underlying imbalances and to improve health.

How To Use Aromatherapy

• inhaled through steam inhalation, humidifiers, diffusers, and vaporizers
• added to a carrier oil and applied to your skin directly or as a hot or cold compress
• spritzed onto objects like pillows, bedding and furniture
• added to infusers, potpourri and candles to enhance the odour of an indoor space
• applied to skin as perfume
• used as a gargle or mouth wash, added to toothpaste, soaps, cleaning solutions, lotions and creams, face and body spray
• added to baths, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, hand and foot baths and saunas

What is Basil Essential Oil?

Basil Essential Oil is oil extracted from the Basil herb widely used in cooking.

Basil Essential Oil makes for a very potent concentration of Basil with all of its health benefits.

Currently there are over 150 varieties of Basil and the variety called Ociumum basilicum is the most used for making an Essential Oil of Basil.

Health Benefits of Basil Essential Oil

Basil Oil can be used for many things. It is anti-viral and anti-bacterial. And it’s also great as a decongestant during colds, coughs or bronchitis. Basil opens your respiratory airways while it dries phlegm produced during a cough or cold. And in the process will kill the virus and bacteria causing the infection. So during a cold or cough rub Basil on your chest, neck and upper back, do steam inhalations, and put Basil Oil in a diffuser so it pervades your bedroom air at night, similar to how people use Eucalyptus Essential Oil.

Basil Oil is also great for sore muscles and joints. So if you have arthritis apply some Basil oil to the affected area a few times daily for relief of aches and pains due to strained muscles and inflamed joints.

Basil Oil is also great for headaches, migraines and menstrual pains. Apply Basil Oil topically to affected areas a few times a day for relief of pain.

How Do You Use Basil Essential Oil?

Topically: in a carrier oil like Jojoba, Sweet Almond or Grape Seed Oil:

• Sore tense muscles
• Aches and pains
• Sore joints, Arthritis
• Post exercise sore muscles
• On chest and neck for colds, coughs, asthma, sinus infections
• On affected areas for headaches, migraines or menstrual pain
• On neck, chest and upper back for colds, coughs, bronchitis and other respiratory infections
• Topically for tooth infections and tooth abscesses

Inhaled via steam inhalation, vaporizer, bath, diffuser or humidifier:

• Coughs, colds
• Bronchitis, pneumonia
• Sinusitis, sinus infections

Works synergistically with:

• For colds – Eucalyptus, Oregano, Ginger, Balsam Fir
• For sore muscles and Joints – Frankincense, Ginger, Rosemary, Balsam Fir