GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Basil ct. Methyl Chavicol
Ocimum basilicum L.
Chemotype: methyl chavicol (estragole)
- PLANT PART
- overground parts
- EXTRACTION
- steam distillation
- AROMA NOTE
- top
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 50 / 100
- Note layer
- top
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- 0.55%
- Phototoxicity
- Not flagged in this profile
- Oxidation risk
- Unknown
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
No furocoumarin-based phototoxicity ceiling was identified in the cited sources for steam-distilled basil oil.
Contraindications & cautions
- moderateExposure to estragole should be minimised in sensitive groups such as pregnant and breast-feeding women.
- moderateExposure to estragole should be minimised in sensitive groups such as young children.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This record uses a directly read 2025 GC-MS lot report for a methyl-chavicol basil oil, with a separate vendor reference confirming basil oil is obtained from overground parts by steam distillation. The selected batch is strongly estragole-dominant with linalool as the main secondary constituent. The oil-level dermal ceiling is taken from a public IFRA statement for basil methyl chavicol type (Category 4 maximum use level 0.55%), and the odor intensity is normalized to the archive scale from AromaWeb's qualitative 'Medium' initial aroma strength for basil essential oil.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estragole | 70.85% | 70.85–70.85% | phenylpropanoid | View sourceGC/MS Report: Basil EO ct. Methyl Chavicol, Lot 13603 https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13603.pdf (p. 3; Estragole 70.85%) |
| Linalool | 20.12% | 20.12–20.12% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceGC/MS Report: Basil EO ct. Methyl Chavicol, Lot 13603 https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13603.pdf (p. 2; Linalool 20.12%) |
| Geranial | 0.89% | 0.89–0.89% | monoterpene aldehyde | View sourceGC/MS Report: Basil EO ct. Methyl Chavicol, Lot 13603 https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13603.pdf (p. 3; Geranial 0.89%) |
| Neral | 0.65% | 0.65–0.65% | monoterpene aldehyde | View sourceGC/MS Report: Basil EO ct. Methyl Chavicol, Lot 13603 https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13603.pdf (p. 3; Neral 0.65%) |
| trans-alpha-Bisabolene | 1.9% | 1.9–1.9% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceGC/MS Report: Basil EO ct. Methyl Chavicol, Lot 13603 https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13603.pdf (p. 4; trans-alpha-Bisabolene 1.9%) |
| trans-alpha-Bergamotene | 0.63% | 0.63–0.63% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceGC/MS Report: Basil EO ct. Methyl Chavicol, Lot 13603 https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13603.pdf (p. 3; trans-alpha-Bergamotene 0.63%) |
Profile source: Mane Kancor Basil Oil product page; Madar Corporation IFRA Statement for Basil (Methyl Chavicol Type), Essential Oil; AromaWeb Basil Essential Oil profile · https://manekancor.com/essential-oils/basil-oil/ (obtained from overground parts of Ocimum basilicum by steam distillation; major components include methyl chavicol and linalool); https://www.madarcorporation.com/spec-sheets/essential-oil/basil/Basil%20-%204503302%20All%20docs.pdf (IFRA statement p. 7 / PDF p. 7; Category 4 maximum use level 0.55% for basil methyl chavicol type); https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/basil-essential-oil.php (Perfumery Note: Top; Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium)
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in aromatherapy for uplifting and clarifying the mind
- reported use in blends associated with easing occasional digestive discomfort when used in low dilution
- used in perfumery for a sharp, anise-like herbal note
- traditionally associated with supporting mental alertness in diffusion
- reported use in massage blends for occasional muscular tension, used cautiously due to higher estragole content
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 2 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- Volatility rate and tenacity were not verified from a public source in this pass.
- The selected constituent profile reflects a specific 2025 GC/MS batch rather than a pooled chemotype range.