Botanical Index No. 84

Basil

ocimum basilicum

Medicinal Actions

Anticoagulase, Anticomplementary, Antidote, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiplaque, Antipyretic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antitumor, Antiulcer, Aromatic, Bradycardic, Candidicide, Carcinogenic, Carminative, COX-2- Inhibitor, Cyanogenic, Deodorant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Enterotonic, Expectorant, Fungicide, Gastrotonic, Glutathionigenic, Hepatocarcinogenic, Insecticide, Lactagogue, Larvicide, Laxative, Narcotic, Parasiticide, Sedative, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic, Vermicide, Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Aperitif Aphrodisiac Demulcent Fullness Hemostat Insectifuge Pectoral Sternutator Tranquilizer Vermifuge Acne Acrochordon Aging Alcoholism Alzheimer’s Amenorrhea Anasarca Anorexia Aphtha Arthrosis Asthma Bacteria Bleeding Boredom Bronchosis Bruise Cancer Candida Cardiopathy Cataract Catarrh Childbirth Chill Cholera Cold Collapse Conjunctivosis Constipation Contusion Convulsion Cough Cramp Croup Deafness Delirium Depression Dermatosis Diarrhea Dropsy Dysentery Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Dysuria Enterosis Epilepsy Fever Flu Fungus Gas Gastrosis Gingivosis Gonorrhea Gout Gravel Halitosis Hangover Headache Hemiplegia Hemorrhoid Hiccup High Blood Pressure Hysteria Infection Inflammation Insanity Insomnia Itch Malaria Migraine Mucososis Mycosis Nausea Nephrosis Nervousness Neurosis Odontosis Otosis Pain Paralysis Parasite Pertussis Pharyngosis Plaque Polyp Puerperium Respirosis Rheumatism Rhinosis Ringworm Salmonella Seborrhea Sinusosis Snakebite Sore Sore Throat Spasm Staphylococcus Sting Stomachache Stomatosis Swelling Toothache Tumor Ulcer Urogenitosis UTI VD Vertigo Wart Water Retention Worm Wound Yeast

General Dosage

1–2 tsp herb/cup water 2–3 ×/day; 0.5–1 tsp tincture up to 3 ×/day; 5 g leaf/200 cc water for gas; 20 g leaf/300 cc water for aphtha; 15 g fresh plant/l water, one cup before retiring. 1–2 tsp herb/cup water 2–3 ×/day; 0.5–1 tsp tincture up to 3 ×/day; 5 g leaf/200 cc water for gas; 20 g leaf/300 cc water for aphtha; 15 g fresh plant/l water, one cup before retiring.

Safety & Contraindications

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects — Class 2b, 2c, 2d. Not recommended for infants or over a long period.“Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper thera-peutic dosages” But one should forgo use of basil oil, however, until “the final determinations of the drug’s carcinogenic potential”. Commission E reports the herb contains up to 0.5% of EO, which contains up to 85% of estragole. Estragole is mutagenic following metabolic activa-tion, and there is evidence from animal experiments that it may be carcinogenic. The herb and EO should not be used during pregnancy and lactation or for prolonged periods. There is no objection to the use of the herb as an admixture in levels up to 5%. Class 2b, 2c, 2d. Not recommended for infants or over a long period.“Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” But one should forgo use of basil oil, however, until “the final determinations of the drug’s carcinogenic potential”. Commission E reports the herb contains up to 0.5% of EO, which contains up to 85% of estragole. Estragole is mutagenic following metabolic activation, and there is evidence from animal experiments that it may be carcinogenic. The herb and EO should not be used during pregnancy and lactation or for prolonged periods. There is no objection to the use of the herb as an admixture in levels up to 5%.

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