Basil Exotic
Ocimum basilicum
Family Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Synonyms Sweet basil, Comoran basil (oil) Reunion basil (oil)
General Description Botanically classified as identical from the French basil, though it is a larger plant with a harsher odour and different constituents.
Distribution Mainly produced in the Comoro Islands, but it is also processed in Madagascar.
Other Species The exotic basil is a dramatically different chemotype to the French basil and probably a separate sub-species (possibly a form of O. canum), although this has not been specified.
Essential oils are also produced in Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia from various chemotypes of the East India or shrubby basil (o.gratissimum), which contains a high percentage of either thymol or eugenol.
The hairy or hoary basil ( o.canum), originating in East Africa and found in India and South America, is also used to extract oils rich in either methyl cinnamate or camphor, which are produced in the West Indies and Indonesia.
Herbal/ Folk Tradition See Basil French
Extraction Essential oil by steam distillation from the leaves and flowering tops.
Characteristics The Exotic type oil is yellow or pale green, with a slightly coarse sweet herbaceous odour with a camphoraceous tinge. Its scent does not compare with the 'true' sweet basil oil.
Principal Constituents mainly methyl chavicol (70-88 per cent), with small amounts of linalol, cineol, camphor, eugenol, limonene and citronellol.
Safety Data Methyl chavicol is moderately toxic and irritating to the skin: 'the methyl chavicol content of Comoran basil is sufficient reason to discard it for therapeutic usage in favour of the French type.'
There has also been some recent concern over the possible carcinogenic effects of methyl chavicol. Basil should be avoided during pregnancy.
Aromatherapy/Home Use None.
Other Use The oil is employed in high-class fragrances, soaps and dental products; used extensively in major food categories especially meat products and savories.
Reference: The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: Julia Lawless
Articles Latest
- CARDAMON
- CARAWAY
- CANANGA
- CAMPHOR
- CALAMUS
- Calamintha-Calamintha officinalis
- CAJEPUT- Melaleuca cajeputi
- Plant Expression
- Molecular Target: Cell Membrane
- CADE Essential Oil
- CABREUVA
- The Kashmiri rose oil worth millions
- Agarwood: The natural treasure worth more than gold whose heady scent is driving it towards extinction
- Nonselective Binding to Proteins: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy
- Molecular Target: DNA, RNA, and Gene Expression
- BUCHU - Agothosma betulina
- BROOM - SPANISH - spartium junceum
- BORONiA - Boronia megastigma
- BORNEOL - Dryobalanops aromantica
- Boldo Leaf - Peumus boldus
- Birch White-Betula Alba
Articles-Most Read
- Home
- Balsam Canadian - Abies balsamea
- Copaiba Essential Oil
- Balsam Peru
- North America: Tea Tree and Monarda-3
- Basil French - Ocimum basilicum
- Basil Exotic
- North America: Tea Tree and Monarda-2
- Exploring Transcultural Constants
- Thyme Essential Oil
- Balsam Tolu
- The Bioactivity of Essential Oils
- Palma Rosa
- Benzoin - Styrax benzoin
- Why Pharmacology Cannot Demonstrate Essential Oil Efficacy
- Bay - West Indian - Pimenta racemosa
- Exploring Essential Oil Activity The Conventional Way
- Aromatherapy: An Answer
- Complex information From Plants
- Contacts