Basil Essential Oil

Basil or Sweet Basil is a perennial found in warm climates or can be cultivated as an annual since it does not thrive well with frost. It has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes being known in India as tulsi and is a common part of herbal medicine. There are a number of varieties but the one common for essential oils is the plant two to three feet high with oval hairy leaves and pink flowers. Basil is from the family Lamiacea (Labiatae), the oil comes from the leaf of the plant, is steam distilled and produced.

Basil Benefits: 

• Muscle Relaxant
  
• Fighting bacteria
• Oral Hygiene
• Insect Repellent

Uses:

• Basil oil has shown antimicrobial activity against a wide range of foodborne bacteria, yeasts and mold.
• Useful for healing fatigued or aching muscles, you can rub a few drops of basil essential oil along with coconut into painful, swollen muscles or joints. 
• To remove bacteria and odour from your mouth, add several drops of pure basil oil to your mouthwash or toothpaste. This also helps protect your teeth and gums from toothaches, ulcers, sores and viral blisters.
• Basil can repel mosquitoes and prevent bug bites. To make a homemade bug spray or lotion, dilute several drops of basil essential oils with carrier oil and massage into skin or swollen bites as needed.