Sweet basil, more commonly known as just “basil” or its botanical name, Ocimum basilicum, not to be confused with holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), is a flavorful, leafy green herb that originated in India (1). Basil plants are a member of the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. They can be identified in the wild by their long, glossy, and almond-shaped leaves with edges that cup slightly and have pointed ends (2). The plant grows small flower clusters that range from white to magenta and are frost-sensitive. In other words, basil thrives in the heat (3).

Basil leaves and flowering tops can be harvested in the summer as the flowers begin to bloom. If you plan to forage for basil, always harvest ethically. Never collect anything from private property without direct permission. When gathering from public spaces, consider the impacts on native plant populations. Due to the uncertainty of surrounding plants, be careful not to disturb them as they could be an endangered or threatened species. Always be kind to the earth and only harvest what you need.

According to one of my favorite herbal resources, the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, basil’s key constituents are about 1% volatile oil (containing linalool and methyl chavicol) and small quantities of methyl cinnamate, cineole, and other terpenes. Some of its herbal actions include:

• Antiemetic: prevents nausea and vomiting.
• Carminative: relieves digestive gas and indigestion.
• Nervine: stimulates, calms, and strengthens the nervous system.
• Sedative: promotes relaxation and reduces nervous excitement.

Interested in learning more about herbal actions? Take the next step by joining my Facebook group, The Holistic Hipppie Community, to access my exclusive “Understanding Herbal Actions” guide today!

Research-Backed Health Benefits of Sweet Basil

Sweet basil is often used in cooking, herbal supplements, and herbal teas. There are many varieties of basil. The most commonly used varieties are holy basil (tulsi), sweet basil, Thai basil, cinnamon basil, lettuce basil, and bush or Greek basil. Each variety has benefits, but let’s stick to sweet basil’s medicinal properties, including:

Antimicrobial Properties

An antimicrobial property occurs when a substance, in this case, an herb, can kill or suppress the spread of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and fungi (4). In one study, basil and several other essential oils were found to have antimicrobial and oral anti-plaque effects (5). Another study found that basil and rosemary essential oils could be an effective antibacterial agent against emergent-resistant strains in nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections (6). In a final study, basil essential oil had greater antibacterial effects than the commercial antibiotic ciprofloxacin against eleven microorganisms (7).

Antifungal Properties

An antifungal property is when a substance, or in this case, an herb, can fight the growth of specific pathogens that could harm your health, such as ringworm, athlete’s foot, tinea versicolor, toenail fungus, and jock itch (8). In vitro, sweet basil extract exhibited greater antifungal activity against Candida albican (C. albicans) than nystatin and deionized water (9). Another study found sweet basil extract exhibited significant properties against fungi and phytotoxic substances (10). A final study concluded that basil essential oil had the potential to cure mycotic infections. The study also found the essential oil acted as a pharmaceutical preservative against Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin B1 production (11).

May Promote Heart Health

Unfortunately, heart disease is the world’s number one cause of death (12). If you read my post, The Importance of Heart Health, you know that due to the incredibly complex determinants of heart disease and various possible contributions, it’s hard to pinpoint an exact way to prevent it. Still, you can at least take steps to lower your overall risk. That’s where sweet basil may come in.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) increases your risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke (13). In vivo studies demonstrated sweet basil’s positive impacts on platelet aggregation, similar to aspirin, resulting in an anti-thrombotic effect. These results occurred over seven days and disappeared after 3 to 7 days (14). In animal studies, sweet basil displayed antihypertensive effects in renovascular hypertensive rats (15).

Additionally, sweet basil may help protect the gut from aspirin-induced damage. Although aspirin may help thin your blood (which basil also does), it also causes damage to your gut. Aspirin-induced gut damage, like ulcers, is one of the most common hospitalizations for upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (16). With that said, one study found sweet basil was protective against aspirin-induced gastric ulcers in mice (17).

May Help Control Blood Sugar Levels

As of 2020, 34.2 million (1 in 10) Americans have diabetes, and another 88 million (1 in 3) Americans have prediabetes (18). Basil can suppress endogenous glucose release (helps maintain blood sugar levels), inhibit glycogenolysis (breaks down stored glucose), and stimulate glycogenesis (converts glucose into glycogen), all of which are responsible for antidiabetic properties (19). In animal studies, basil aqueous (water) extract positively responded with enzymes that break down sugars like sucrase, maltase, porcine, and α-amylase, resulting in a hypoglycemic effect (20).

May Improve Brain Functionality

Brain functionality includes speech, judgment, thinking and reasoning, problem-solving, emotions, and learning, amongst many other functions (21). Thankfully, basil can improve memory loss associated with stress and aging. An animal study found basil improves chronic stress-induced neurodegenerative changes in mice (22). In another animal study, basil enhanced memory retention and retrieval results in mice (23).

Basil has even been found to reduce stroke-induced damage while also supporting recovery when given before or right after a stroke. In an animal study, pre-treatment with sweet basil restored blood flow, leading to memory improvement after ischemia (when the body doesn’t get enough blood flow) induced cerebral damage and motor dysfunction in the brain of mice (24). Another study found that sweet basil improved memory and neurological deficits after ischemia-reperfusion as an after-care measure (25).

May Improve Mental Health

Worldwide, 970 million people struggle with mental health, resulting in approximately 8 million deaths annually, accounting for 14.3% of worldwide deaths (26). Thankfully, basil may help. Basil is said to reduce depression related to chronic stress. In an animal study, basil relieved chronic, unpredictable, mild stress-induced depression in mice (27). In another animal study, basil had an antidepressant-like effect (28).

Anticancer Properties

In 2021, there were 1,777,566 new cases of invasive cancer in the United States, with almost 10 million people who lost their battle with cancer worldwide (29,30). In other words, one out of every six deaths was cancer-related. That is a lot; however, a diagnosis or genetic predisposition doesn’t define your outcome. Genetics may load the gun, but environmental factors and lifestyle choices ultimately pull the trigger.

Thankfully, basil has been found to prevent certain cancers, including breast, colon, and pancreatic. One study found basil essential oil, along with several others, to exhibit a degree of antiproliferative (inhibits cell growth) activity on specific cancer models, and basil was the most potent against human colon carcinoma (31). Another study found basil to have certain anti-cancer activities against diverse cancer cells (32). A final study found that sweet basil contains a powerful component that may effectively increase human health and even prevent cancer (33).

Safety Information, Contraindications & Interactions

According to mainstream sources, basil is likely safe when consumed in food amounts. However, it is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth as a medicine. They claim the basil herb and basil oil contain estragole, a chemical that might increase the risk of liver cancer (34).

Let’s fact-check these mainstream claims. Firstly, estragole occurs naturally in many common plants, including anise, star anise, basil, bay, tarragon, fennel, and marjoram (35). Secondly, the animal studies that found estragole to be carcinogenic did not test the herb; they tested the essential oil (36). Of course, essential oils are much more concentrated than herbs and should be used while practicing essential oil safety.

With that said, let’s discuss essential oil safety. According to aromatherapist Wendy Robbins, essential oils should never be taken internally or applied undiluted (neat). She notes that basil essential oil should be used sparingly and cautiously due to its carcinogenic potential. She goes on to discuss the recommended dermal maximum of 15% and cautions against its use with children, while pregnant, or breastfeeding (37).

Back to the herb, according to trusted herbalist Richard Whelan, there are no reports in the medical literature of toxicity associated with basil. As this herb is used in large amounts in food, Richard Whelan thinks we can confidently assume it is safe for all ages, pregnancy, breastfeeding, etc. Additionally, Richard Whelan notes that some evidence suggests that basil extract can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Theoretically, taking basil extract with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension (38).

How to Use Sweet Basil & Product Recommendations

I try to buy herbs locally when I make my own herbal remedies. Sweet basil is often found in supermarkets. However, when buying locally isn’t an option, or when I am looking to purchase in bulk, I typically purchase from one of the following brands:

• Anthony’s Goods (check out their cut and sifted organic dried basil leaves)
• Frontier Co-op (check out their cut and sifted organic dried basil leaves)
• Starwest Botanicals (check out their cut and sifted organic dried basil leaves)

Looking for additional herbal suppliers? Check out my post, 3 Ways to Source Herbs.

I have yet to have the opportunity to make herbal remedies with sweet basil, although I cook with it occasionally. Nonetheless, to my understanding, the best preparation methods when working with basil include the following:

• Herbal infusions – learn how to make an herbal infusion
• Herbal poultices
• Herbal salves (only apply to unbroken skin) – learn how to make an herbal salve
• Herbal syrups – learn how to make an herbal syrup
• Herbal tinctures – learn how to make an herbal tincture

If making your home remedies isn’t quite your thing, I recommend a few premade products, including:

• Plant Therapy’s Basil Linalool Essential Oil and Organic Basil Linalool Essential Oil are great if you are fighting a cold and need help combating groggy feelings. Unlike other basil essential oils, Basil Linalool has a more appealing aroma that remains dominant. No matter how you use it, this essential oil works great for relaxing and clearing the mind after a long day. Add it to a carrier of your choice to help loosen up tense muscles caused by stress in your daily life.
• The Brother’s Apothecary Pain Away CBD Essential Oil Roller is specially crafted to target occasional aches, pains, and soreness. Copaiba, marjoram, sweet basil, frankincense, and arnica have been used for thousands of years in body management, both individually and in synergistic blends. Use code HIPPPIE25 for 25% off.

Product Disclaimer

Product recommendations are affiliate links. I do not own or make these products. Recommendations are selected according to ingredients at the time article was written and can change at any time. I encourage you to double-check ingredients and research each company to ensure they’re suitable for your journey.

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