HERB PROFILE · EDUCATIONAL REFERENCE

Basil

Botanical nameOcimum basilicum

Plant part usedLeaf and flowering aerial parts

Important safety information: Culinary use is generally low risk; concentrated medicinal use and essential oil are not equivalent and require caution in pregnancy, breastfeeding and with diabetes or anticoagulant medicines.

Herbal actions

Culinary aromatic
carminative
antispasmodic traditionally

Traditional and practitioner uses

These uses are presented for historical and educational context. They are not treatment claims.

Culinary herb
Traditional relief of bloating and digestive spasm
Traditional aromatic tea

Main constituents

Linalool, eugenol, methyl chavicol estragole, rosmarinic acid, flavonoids

Preparation overview

Tea: Covered infusion. Food use is best established; cover tea to retain volatile oil.

Liquid extract reference: 1:5

Preparation strengths are not interchangeable. Open the interactive guide for the complete evidence notes and sources available for this herb.

Herbilous provides educational information only. It does not diagnose, prescribe, or replace professional medical advice. Seek urgent care for severe or worsening symptoms.