Basil > Reviews > basil, good for respiratory infections

Author's product rating:   

Side effects	Hardly any
Effectiveness	Satisfactory

Advantages:	its not overly expensive
Disadvantages:	to be avoided when pregnant

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

BASIL OIL.

Basil is generally used in Mediterranean cooking, though it also has a number of therapeutic properties.

It can be used to refresh your senses. Soothe your digestive and respiratory tracts, and invigorate your mind. It’s great for treating anxiety and depression and is particularly effective due to its high concentration of alcohols that make up to 60% of basil oil. The main active compound being linalool, which is what gives basil that distinctive, floral, spicy, citrus scent. And monoterpene alcohols that are considered to be uplifting, warming and balancing. Its also antibacterial and antiviral, which helps to stimulate your defensive system to fight infections.

You can use basil oil for inhalation, in the bath, and as a massage. And its best for treating respiratory infections, indigestion, and fevers.

The antiseptic and antispasmodic effects make basil great for abdominal massage, to help clear intestinal infections.

As a steam inhalation its effective for clearing catarrh and coughs. The action on the respiratory tract helps to restore your sense of taste and smell. A good recipie for using this as a steam inhalation its best combined with other oils.

Add 5 drops of lemon oil, 3 drops of lavender and 2 drops of basil to a bowl of hot water, cover your head and inhale deeply. This will help to clear congestion, and tightness of your chest.

For a nice uplifting massage blend 2 drops of basil oil and 10 drops each of black pepper and bergamont oil with 25ml of grape seed oil. (I generally use sweet almond oil as this I can get easily, and in a useable sized bottle to which I can just add my oils and re-label the bottle, from the chemists)

Use in low concentrations as it can irritate the skin, and do not use while pregnant.

Basil oil can be purchased from http://www.simplysupplements.net/basil-essential-p-139.html?OVRAW=basil%20oil&OVKEY=basil%20oil&OVMTC=standard
Priced at £3.99 for 10ml inc p&p they are currently on promotion to get 10ml free.