Sweet Basil

Ocimum basilicum (L.) ct Linalool

Chemotype: linalool

greensweetherbaceousanise-likebalsamic

PLANT PART: flower, leaves
EXTRACTION: steam distilled
AROMA NOTE: top-mid

Compare with another oil Check supplier bottles Find more oils

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.

Finding the matching oil reports…

FOLLOW YOUR SENSES

Aroma & character

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

greensweetherbaceousanise-likebalsamic

Aroma intensity: 75 / 100

Soft & subtleBold & expressive

Note layer: top-mid

If you like this scent, explore

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-based phototoxic restriction was identified in the reviewed public sources for sweet basil ct. linalool.

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

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

23 constituents

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

About this composition

This sweet-basil record is anchored to a publicly readable sweet basil ct. linalool supplier profile and a directly readable public sweet-basil COA. The chemistry is represented as a linalool-dominant sweet basil with minor estragole and eugenol, which matches the cited sweet basil linalool profile rather than methyl-chavicol-dominant basil chemotypes. 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: Basil, Sweet ct Linalool - Organic EO - Eden Botanicals; NHR Organic Oils Certificate Of Analysis Sheet - Organic Basil Essential Oil - Sweet (Ocimum basilicum); Public statement on the use of herbal medicinal products containing estragole; Basil Essential Oil profile at AromaWeb · https://www.edenbotanicals.com/basil-sweet-linalool-organic.html (Botanical Name Ocimum basilicum (L.) ct Linalool; Extraction Method Steam Distilled; Plant Part flower, leaves; Aroma Profile strongly green, faint anise-like, sweet herbaceous scent with a rich balsamic undertone; Safety Considerations maximum dermal use level 3.3%); https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/20150624124345e_Basil_Sweet_CofA_271114-3.pdf ; https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/public-statement-use-herbal-medicinal-products-containing-estragole-revision-1_en.pdf ; https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/basil-essential-oil.php

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 to support mental clarity and focus
reported to support an uplifted, refreshed mood in diffuser blends
traditionally associated with easing occasional mental fatigue and tension
used in massage blends for muscular comfort
used in culinary-adjacent aromatic traditions for its fresh, herbaceous, slightly sweet note

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 · 4 data gaps

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

Odor intensity 75 is a normalization of Eden Botanicals' qualitative 'strongly green' aroma profile rather than a directly published 0-100 laboratory measurement.
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 values for sweet basil.
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.