Sweet Basil

Ocimum basilicum L.

Chemotype: linalool

sweetherbaceouslicorice-likegreenuplifting

PLANT PART: flowering tops of the entire herb
EXTRACTION: steam distillation
AROMA NOTE: top

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Aroma & character

A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.

sweetherbaceouslicorice-likegreenuplifting

Aroma intensity: 50 / 100

Soft & subtleBold & expressive

Note layer: top

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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: 3.3%
Phototoxicity: Not flagged in this profile
Oxidation risk: medium

A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.

No furocoumarin-driven phototoxic restriction was identified in the reviewed public sources for sweet basil linalool-type oil.

Contraindications & cautions

moderateBecause this sweet basil oil contains estragole, exposure should be minimized during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
moderateBecause this sweet basil oil contains estragole, exposure should be minimized for young children.

Read the complete safety guide

Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT

Inside the oil

23 constituents

An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.

About this composition

This record treats the master-list sweet basil entry as a linalool-type sweet basil oil because the directly readable public COA is explicitly sold as Organic Basil Essential Oil - Sweet and reports a linalool-dominant composition with very low methyl chavicol. The safety and aroma references used here are the matching Sweet Basil ct. Linalool vendor profile and the general AromaWeb basil profile. Additional minor and trace constituents (1,8-cineole, trans-alpha-bergamotene, gamma-cadinene, beta-elemene, methyl eugenol, germacrene D, alpha-terpineol, camphor, bornyl acetate, (E)-beta-farnesene, valencene, beta-pinene, alpha-humulene, myrcene, alpha-guaiene, sabinene, limonene, alpha-pinene, terpinolene, terpinen-4-ol) were added from a peer-reviewed GC-MS study of a Jordan-grown greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum European linalool/eugenol chemotype (Aburjai et al. 2020, Indian J Pharm Sci 82(1):179-184) to bring mass closure into an acceptable range, since the primary NHR COA reports only linalool, eugenol, and methyl chavicol.

Constituent	Typical amount	Reported range	Chemical family	Source
Linalool	53%	53–53%	monoterpene alcohol	View source NHR Organic Oils Certificate Of Analysis Sheet - Organic Basil Essential Oil - Sweet (Ocimum basilicum) https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/20150624124345e_Basil_Sweet_CofA_271114-3.pdf (Chemical Constituents section; Linalool 53%)
Eugenol	5.48%	5.48–5.48%	phenylpropanoid	View source NHR Organic Oils Certificate Of Analysis Sheet - Organic Basil Essential Oil - Sweet (Ocimum basilicum) https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/20150624124345e_Basil_Sweet_CofA_271114-3.pdf (Chemical Constituents section; Eugenol 5.48%)
Methyl chavicol	0.98%	0.98–0.98%	phenylpropanoid	View source NHR Organic Oils Certificate Of Analysis Sheet - Organic Basil Essential Oil - Sweet (Ocimum basilicum) https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/20150624124345e_Basil_Sweet_CofA_271114-3.pdf (Chemical Constituents section; Methyl Chavicol 0.98%)
1,8-Cineole	11.36%	11.36–11.36%	monoterpene oxide	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Eucalyptol (1,8-cineol) 11.36% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
trans-alpha-Bergamotene	9%	9–9%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Trans-alpha-bergamotene 9.0% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
gamma-Cadinene	3.2%	3.2–3.2%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; gamma-cadinene 3.2% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
beta-Elemene	2.78%	2.78–2.78%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; beta-Elemene 2.78% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
Methyl eugenol	2.1%	2.1–2.1%	phenylpropanoid ether	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Methyl eugenol 2.1% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
Germacrene D	2.01%	2.01–2.01%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Germacrene D 2.01% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
alpha-Terpineol	1.91%	1.91–1.91%	monoterpene alcohol	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; alpha-Terpineol 1.91% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
Camphor	1.61%	1.61–1.61%	monoterpene ketone	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Camphor 1.61% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
Bornyl acetate	1.11%	1.11–1.11%	monoterpene ester	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Bornyl acetate 1.11% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
(E)-beta-Farnesene	1%	1–1%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Trans-beta-farnesene 1.0% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
Valencene	0.99%	0.99–0.99%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Valencene 0.99% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
beta-Pinene	0.88%	0.88–0.88%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; beta-Pinene 0.88% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
alpha-Humulene	0.59%	0.59–0.59%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; alpha-Humulene 0.59% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
Myrcene	0.44%	0.44–0.44%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Myrcene 0.44% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
alpha-Guaiene	0.41%	0.41–0.41%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; alpha-Guaiene 0.41% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
Sabinene	0.31%	0.31–0.31%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Sabinene 0.31% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
Limonene	0.3%	0.3–0.3%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Limonene 0.3% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
alpha-Pinene	0.28%	0.28–0.28%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; alpha-Pinene 0.28% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
Terpinolene	0.26%	0.26–0.26%	monoterpene hydrocarbon	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Terpinolene 0.26% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)
Terpinen-4-ol	0.24%	0.24–0.24%	monoterpene alcohol	View source Aburjai, Mansi, Azzam, Alqudah, Alshaer & Abuirjei (2020), Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Potential of Essential Oil from Greenhouse-cultivated Ocimum basilicum Leaves, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 82(1):179-184 https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/chemical-compositions-and-anticancer-potential-ofessential-oil-from-greenhousecultivated-emocimum-basilicumem-leaves-3834.html (Table 1, DB-5 column GC-MS composition of Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' essential oil, European linalool/eugenol chemotype; Terpinen-4-ol 0.24% avg of triplicate GH samples; DOI 10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.637)

Profile source: NHR Organic Oils Certificate Of Analysis Sheet - Organic Basil Essential Oil - Sweet (Ocimum basilicum); Basil, Sweet ct Linalool - Organic EO at Eden Botanicals; Basil Essential Oil profile at AromaWeb; EMA estragole public statement · https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/20150624124345e_Basil_Sweet_CofA_271114-3.pdf (flowering tops of the entire herb; steam distillation; linalool 53%; methyl chavicol 0.98%; eugenol 5.48%); https://www.edenbotanicals.com/basil-sweet-linalool-organic.html (maximum dermal use level 3.3% recommended; strongly green, sweet herbaceous and uplifting aroma); https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/basil-essential-oil.php (Perfumery Note: Top; Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium; sweet, herbaceous and somewhat licorice-like aroma); https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/public-statement-use-herbal-medicinal-products-containing-estragole-revision-1_en.pdf (minimise estragole exposure in pregnancy and young children)

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 mental clarity and reducing feelings of mental fatigue
reported use in diffuser blends for an uplifting, herbaceous, slightly sweet atmosphere
used in massage blends traditionally associated with easing occasional muscle tension
traditionally associated with supporting digestive comfort in culinary and aromatic traditions
used in perfumery as a fresh green top note in herbal and fougere compositions

Explore related intentionsFocus & Concentration ↗Uplift & Mood ↗Stress Relief ↗

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 · 5 data gaps

Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.

Odor intensity 50 is a normalization of AromaWeb's categorical 'Medium' aroma-strength band rather than a directly published 0-100 laboratory value.
This sweet basil record is chemotype-resolved to linalool because the directly readable public COA is a sweet basil linalool-type batch; an equally open non-linalool sweet-basil public composition source was not located in this pass.
The oil-level dermal ceiling is verified from a live vendor safety statement, but the per-constituent eugenol dermal limit remains secondary because the underlying Tisserand page was not directly read in this pass.
No public source reviewed in this pass published verified volatility-rate or tenacity-hour figures for this sweet basil oil.
The minor/trace constituent percentages (1,8-cineole through terpinen-4-ol) are sourced from a different basil ct. linalool/eugenol batch (Jordan-grown, Aburjai et al. 2020) than the NHR Egyptian COA batch used for the three headline constituents (linalool, eugenol, methyl chavicol), so the combined profile is a composite across two real sourced batches of the same linalool/eugenol chemotype rather than a single-batch GC table.