A BOTANICAL PROFILE

GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS

Basil

Ocimum basilicum L.

Chemotype: methyl chavicol

sweetherbaceouslicorice-likeanisicgreenspicy
PLANT PART
leaves
EXTRACTION
steam distillation
AROMA NOTE
top

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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.

I’m interested in

Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.

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FOLLOW YOUR SENSES

Aroma & character

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

sweetherbaceouslicorice-likeanisicgreenspicy
Aroma intensity
50 / 100
Soft & subtleBold & expressive
Note layer
top
Approximate tenacity
25–25 hours

If you like this scent, explore

Basil ct. Linalool Sweet Basil Anise Anthopogon Cilantro Herb Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil

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 for this steam-distilled basil oil in the consulted sources.

Contraindications & cautions

  • moderateEstragole exposure should be minimized in pregnant and breast-feeding women.
  • moderateEstragole exposure should be minimized in young children.
Read the complete safety guide
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

30 constituents

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

About this composition

This record is anchored to a 2024 GC/MS lot report for Basil, Sweet Essential Oil (Ocimum basilicum, steam distilled, USA) and cross-checked against AromaWeb and the Madar Corporation IFRA statement for basil methyl chavicol type. The lot is estragole-dominant (68.4%) with linalool as the main secondary constituent (22.04%); the public report lists 99.82% total identified compounds, and the cited subset below captures the dominant and safety-relevant markers used for scoring.

ConstituentTypical amountReported rangeChemical familySource
Estragole
68.4%
68.4–68.4%phenylpropanoid
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; Estragole 68.4%)
Linalool
22.04%
22.04–22.04%monoterpene alcohol
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; Linalool 22.04%)
trans-alpha-Bisabolene
2.02%
2.02–2.02%sesquiterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; trans-alpha-Bisabolene 2.02%)
Geranial
1.59%
1.59–1.59%monoterpene aldehyde
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; Geranial 1.59%)
Neral
1.03%
1.03–1.03%monoterpene aldehyde
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; Neral 1.03%)
trans-alpha-Bergamotene
0.61%
0.61–0.61%sesquiterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; trans-alpha-Bergamotene 0.61%)
beta-Caryophyllene
0.51%
0.51–0.51%sesquiterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; beta-Caryophyllene 0.51%)
alpha-Humulene
0.27%
0.27–0.27%sesquiterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; alpha-Humulene 0.27%)
alpha-Terpineol
0.2%
0.2–0.2%monoterpene alcohol
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; alpha-Terpineol 0.2%)
Limonene
0.14%
0.14–0.14%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; Limonene 0.14%)
1,8-Cineole
0.11%
0.11–0.11%monoterpene oxide
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; 1,8-Cineole 0.11%)
Geraniol
0.11%
0.11–0.11%monoterpene alcohol
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; Geraniol 0.11%)
alpha-Pinene
0.1%
0.1–0.1%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; alpha-Pinene 0.1%)
beta-Pinene
0.06%
0.06–0.06%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; beta-Pinene 0.06%)
Myrcene
0.06%
0.06–0.06%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; Myrcene 0.06%)
Eugenol
0.06%
0.06–0.06%phenylpropanoid
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; Eugenol 0.06%)
Caryophyllene oxide
0.05%
0.05–0.05%sesquiterpene oxide
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; Caryophyllene oxide 0.05%)
Menthol
0.44%
0.44–0.44%monoterpene alcohol
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; Menthol 0.44%)
Menthone
0.03%
0.03–0.03%monoterpene ketone
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; Menthone 0.03%)
Isomenthone
0.01%
0.01–0.01%monoterpene ketone
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; Isomenthone 0.01%)
Neryl acetate
0.02%
0.02–0.02%monoterpene ester
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; Neryl acetate 0.02%)
alpha-Copaene
0.03%
0.03–0.03%sesquiterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; alpha-Copaene 0.03%)
beta-Elemene
0.02%
0.02–0.02%sesquiterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; beta-Elemene 0.02%)
Sabinene
0.01%
0.01–0.01%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; Sabinene 0.01%)
para-Cymene
0.03%
0.03–0.03%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; para-Cymene 0.03%)
Methyl eugenol
0.02%
0.02–0.02%phenylpropanoid
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; Methyleugenol 0.02%)
trans-alpha-Bisabolene
2.02%
2.02–2.02%sesquiterpene hydrocarbon
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; trans-alpha-Bisabolene 2.02%)
Geranial
1.59%
1.59–1.59%monoterpene aldehyde
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 2; Geranial 1.59%)
Geraniol
0.11%
0.11–0.11%monoterpene alcohol
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; Geraniol 0.11%)
Menthone
0.03%
0.03–0.03%monoterpene ketone
View source

GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214

https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf (p. 1; Menthone 0.03%)

Profile source: GC/MS Report: Basil, Sweet Essential Oil, Lot 13214; AromaWeb Basil Essential Oil profile; Madar Corporation IFRA statement for Basil (Methyl Chavicol Type), Essential Oil · https://shayandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Basil-Sweet-Essential-Oil-GCMS-Shay-and-Company-Lot13214.pdf ; https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/basil-essential-oil.php ; https://www.madarcorporation.com/spec-sheets/essential-oil/basil/Basil%20-%204503302%20All%20docs.pdf

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 clarity, focus, and easing mental fatigue
  • reported use in blends associated with easing occasional headache tension
  • used in massage oils traditionally for muscular comfort
  • used in perfumery and culinary fragrance for a green, herbaceous, slightly spicy note
  • traditionally associated with digestive comfort in folk herbal use
Explore related intentionsFocus & Concentration ↗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 · 3 data gaps

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

  • No public source in this pass published a native numeric volatility-rate scale for basil oil, so `volatility_rate` remains null.
  • Oxidation risk was not separately sourced from a public basil safety monograph in this pass, so the field remains null rather than inferred.
  • Reported effects were left empty because the sources reviewed here were composition and safety references rather than a traditional-use monograph.