Main Constituents: Methyl chavicol (estragole): 70-76% Linalool: 16-19%
Plant Part: Leaves
Origin: India
Extraction Method: Steam Distilled
Description / Color / Consistency: This is almost colorless to a pale amber colour with a thin consistency.
Aromatic Summary / Note / Strength of Aroma: Basil has a sweet, spicy, fresh scent with a faint balsamic woody back note and a lasting sweetness that makes for a strong top note.
Product Abstract: In Greek its name means 'royal remedy' or 'king'. In the 16th century, powdered basil was used to treat migraines and chest infections. The ancient Egyptians believed that it would open the gates of heaven to a dying person, and the Hindus use Basil sprigs to protect the dead from evil while in transition between lives. Western European lore sometimes claimed that it was a symbol of evil, while the Eastern Orthodox Church used it in the making of holy water.
Cautions: Dilute before use; for external use only. May cause skin irritation in some individuals; a skin test is recommended prior to use. Contact with eyes should be avoided.
Storage: It is recommended that oils packaged in metal containers (for safe shipping) be transferred into dark glass containers to maintain freshness and attain maximum shelf life.
WARNING Prop 65: This product contains a component which is listed under California Proposition 65. California residents will receive this product labeled accordingly.
IMPORTANT: All New Directions Aromatics (NDA) products are for external use only unless otherwise indicated. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and it should not be used by anyone who is pregnant or under the care of a medical practitioner. Please refer to our policies for further details, and our disclaimer below.
We are always striving to provide high-quality products to our customers.
We would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on our products.
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Rating: A++ Customer Service
I have tried different brands of essential oils over the years, and some are not as good as others. I can tell that NDA is a high quality essential oil and they always have a good price. I used this Basil in my massage oil to help with inflammation and muscle pain, and it works great!
By:Riddhima, Bothell, Washington
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 26-Jan-2021
Rating: Super fresh! As with all the oils I purchase from this company, with the exception of maybe one or two, this oil smells super fresh. I'm not a fan of basil but use it for it's therapeutic properties and I actually like this one because of how fresh and alive it smells. I just love this company!
New Directions Aromatics Response:
Hi Denise! Thank you for taking the time to share your appreciation of our products and service. We love hearing from all of our customers, as it encourages us to improve ourselves and do better each time. We appreciate your loyalty and look forward to doing more business with you.
By:Denise, Yonkers, New York Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 18-Nov-2018
Rating: Green and sweet, with a hint of anise. Will be trying it in my woody, spicy, and herb-y blends.
Rating: In CP soap, a little goes a long way (particularly in a blend). Wonderful staying power.
By:J Anthony Glick, Gap, Pennsylvania
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 16-Jul-2015
Rating: I loved this EO! It has a beautiful scent & I found it to be very powerful. It goes a long way; I ordered the 16oz but will definitely reorder this in the future.
By:Scott-Kimberly, Hamilton, Indiana Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 18-Sep-2014
Rating: I'm looking forward to giving this one another try. My first blend was Basil & Lime (as a previous reviewer had made) but it was passed around my family and voted unanimously as "pickles". By itself it's a fresh and herby scent. Quite lovely. It will surely find itself in a prouder blend than "pickles" in the near future.
By:Aaron, La Grande, Oregon Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 19-Feb-2014
Rating: This Basil is one of my absolute favorites. I found it to be quite versatile as a top note. It is herbaceous, with a vague resemblance to the herb commonly found in kitchens; but it also offers a grounded sweetness that doesn't overpower a delicate blend. It's also good for cutting other scents that have become too prominent (Anise Star, Vetiver, Clove etc.). I make aroma candles and this has found its way into several of my mixtures. And affordable too!!
By:Michael, Los Angeles, California Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 13-Jan-2015
Rating: I love this EO! I haven't used it in soap yet, but out of the bottle, it is simply lovely. It's a strong scent and I can pick up hints of mint and anise. It is priced affordably and I believe it will work great blended with other, more expensive essential oils in my soaps.
By:Anita, Brookneal, Virginia Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Dec-2009
Rating: I absolutely love this Basil Essential Oil. It has an almost minty undertone. When mixing with it, the smell lingers quite long. I'll be buying again!
By:Sarah, Temecula, California Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 27-Sep-2013
Rating: A very strong-scented oil. I use it in an italian spice blend for an oil-warmer and as a topical for massage. Diluted in olive oil it mellows out and becomes very pleasant. Only downside is the scent lingers long past the other oils so one can get tired of it pretty quickly.
Rating: Was skeptical about this oil at first but after blending it with other earthy scents like patchouli or cedar wood. It holds its own better than citrus as a top not alone, or you can mix it with citrus as top note if its to sharp originally. Defiantly will be buying more.
By:William, Naperville, Illinois Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 19-Dec-2012
Rating: This is a big basil EO. It is straightforward. Not sweet, but can lend itself to sweeter blends. Not pungent but I want to say dry in scent (not like dried basil though). I love it with lemon blends for those who don't favor florals or sweet scents and made a body oil with it and lemon, it really helped me reduce water retention. Soothing for monthly time on my belly too. Thanks ND, this is an honest herb EO!
By:Jaipreet, Livermore, California Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Oct-2011
Rating: very nice... i blended it with lime in cp soap and it was a hit with my customers!
Rating: I love this smell. Basil is considered an Ayurvedic herb and is an herb widely used in culinary dishes across Asia. The oil is wonderful for respiratory problems and the slight anise sweetness makes it very pleasant.
By:Steven, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 11-Dec-2011
Rating: this basil definitely has the basil scent, but with more sweetness than I originally expected, which I definitely like. The aroma is also a little minty. Overall, it's not easy for blending into a perfume, but I did make an antifungal foot cream out of this, lavender, and peppermint, and it smelled wonderful, despite the fact that none of those scents are usually ones that I'm particularly fond of. Great for its therapeutic applications and very affordable.
By:Lauretta, San Diego, California Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 19-Jun-2010
Rating: I like this oil, I put it in a MP soap with lemon oil and lemon peel to make a great soap for cleaning the smells of cooking off my hands
By:Stephanie, Prince George, British Columbia Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005
Rating: This is an excellent basil eo. It has complexity with elements of mint and anise. It always makes me think of my garden basil, picked fresh and adding a sunny feel to the spirit. I've used it in several blends and really enjoy the essence it brings. It definitely has a strong presence in blends, so use judiciously.
By:Joanne, New Brunswick, New Jersey Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 22-Nov-2009
Rating: I use this in a blend with sweet orange e/o for a wonderful scent in CP soap, lotion, and lip balm! But alone I personally love this scent. It's a bit bold out of the bottle but allowed to breathe on or in something is much more pleasent!
By:Heather, Colorado Springs, Colorado Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 26-Aug-2009
Rating: This Sweet Basil does have a slightly smokey scent.
It blends really well with Patchouli, Juniper Berry & Lemon...
By:Crystal, Burnaby, British Columbia Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005
Rating: Love it! Smells just like the herbs in the kitchen. Would definatly recommend. I love NDA!!!!!!
By:Kristie, Portsmouth, New Hampshire Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 18-Nov-2009
Rating: I got Sweet Basil to clear my sinuses and to use in a memory blend. It has a strong, green, slightly minty scent.
By:Diane, West Hartford, Connecticut Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 06-Aug-2009
Rating: This smells just like basil tastes. It's green, sweet and spicy at the same time, and has undertones of liquorice. Lovely!
By:Laura, Lakeville, Massachusetts Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 22-Mar-2009
Rating: Very strong, very intense, concentrated scent. I actually use this in cooking when I don't have fresh basil, a couple of drops is all you need!
By:Jacki, Highland Park, New Jersey Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 13-Apr-2009
Rating: I really enjoy this blended with lemon essential oil in another base. It is quite uplifing and fresh. It doesnt smell anything like my Italian Basil I grow, but I'm sure it is the differences between the two plants. I still love it and it is wonderful. I test new products for my company out on my relatives and they all love it.
By:Mechelle, Gastonia, North Carolina Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 13-Jun-2009
Rating: One drop goes a long,long way. One of my favorite essential oils.
By:Cecile, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 26-Jul-2009
Rating: Very pleasant anise scent nothing like what you would think Basil would smell like.
By:Brenda, Havana, Florida Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 22-May-2009
Rating: There are very few herbs I don't really care for but Basil has always been one of them. My son talked me into getting this sweet Basil EO as Basil has always been one of his favorites. I'm so glad he did! It's a wonderful scent that I will definately continue to use in my herbal preparations.
By:Marlene, Seeley's Bay, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005
Rating: Very green smelling. It smells like a whole crushed plant. Almost overwhelming but after it fades a bit it gets stuck in your nose and the smell is more mellow.
By:Chloe, Waterloo, Iowa Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 28-Jun-2009
Rating: This is a Fabulous EO. I recently was driving long distance with my EO's with me of course... The basil jar came lose and leaked a bit. SOOOO the second half of my 10 hour drive when I usally get tired I was WIDE awake, and had several AH-HA moments, Epiphanies if you will.!. I did not notice the scent because it happened slowly and I guess I got used to it, when I arrived my friend was blown away by the scent, we had a good laugh and were up for hours!!
I have used it before in a memory and/or studing formula, another testiment to its many uses..
By:Kristal, Las Vegas, Nevada Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 07-Feb-2008
Rating: This oil has a sweet, refreshing scent. I've mixed it w/ different oils according to some books I have and it always adds such a nice element to the blends I make
By:Leslie, Lexington, Kentucky Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 14-May-2009
Rating: Absolutely love this EO. We are using it in our Sauna and it is wonderful!
By:Hope, Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005
Rating: A high-quality oil at a very good price.
Basil is a fantastically useful EO, with a wide variety of therapeutic uses. It's a good ingredient in a massage oil, a wake-up blend, or a nerve tonic; and is particularly known for its beneficial effects on memory and concentration. This is far more a therapeutic than an aromatic oil, although some people do like its odor. It does not smell like the fresh herb, and to my nose, it is rather too harsh to be a very pleasant scent on its own. Mixed with other things, though, it can add a nicely sharp herbal tang to an aromatic blend.
Rating: A very nice fresh herb smell, it resembles anise until it diffuses a bit a bit out of the bottle. If you aren't careful, it will overpower any of your blends. A little goes a LONG, LONG, LONG way.
Rating: very down to earth oil. very comforting and grounding. Love it!
By:Brandy, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005
Rating: Basil is so uplifting ! I love it alone, or I mix it with Lemon 5 Fold.
By:Annmarie, Tempe, Arizona Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 08-Oct-2008
Rating: i don't quite like the smell of basil but it is useful in blends. using it in a "motivation" blend right now to help me focus on my work :)
By:Julie, Rochester, New York Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 03-Jun-2008
Rating: useful eo. using it right now in the scentball diffuser to help me concentrate on work! sometimes i use it in a concentration blend as well. works either way :)
By:Julie, Rochester, New York Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 03-Jun-2008
Rating: I really enjoy this Basil, I use it a memory formula and I burn it in a lamp for a great uplifting smell, great for depression in a caretaking setting. Really helps with clarity, really powerful.
Highly recommended!
By:Kristal, Las Vegas, Nevada Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 07-Feb-2008
Rating: This Basil is a wonderful smelling oil. Blend it with Frankincense and grapefruit for a very refreshing smell throughout the house and to alleviate lung congestion.
By:Vanice, Cambridge, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005
Rating: No...It doesn't smell like fresh basil. But it is heavenly. It almost smells like concentrated basil. Would it blend dwell with patcholi? I hope so.
Rating: Blech!! This smells NOTHING like basil herb, more like fennel or anise. VERY strong licorice smell. If you like licorice then it's great for you, but if you abhor it (like me) then try something else. I'm a soap-maker, so I don't know about its aromatherapy or health benefits, but I even tried mixing it with other EOs and it just totally overpowered the other scents. Won't buy any more of this.
Rating: Beautiful spearmint-like fragrance that reminds me of summertime iced tea. Wonderful oil to smell in the morning - very refreshing and uplifting. Works well to clear a "foggy head" in the morning as well as clear the sinuses related to allergies. Very potent - just a few drops is all you need!
By:Kathryn, St. Charles, Illinois
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 17-Feb-2008
Rating: Excellent quality and easy to use. I love the Basil essential oil.
By:Patty, Darwin, Minnesota Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 27-Sep-2007
Rating: What a strong potent oil. This is one oil "in my opinion" that does well ONLY in blends.. It is way to strong to handle alone.
If you get up in the morning feeling dull and lethargic...after a hot shower rub your chest and under your arms with a blend of basil, lime, lavender and bergamot in a good carrier oil.
You will feel like a new person within 20 minutes. You are ready to face the day. An added benefit is how it opens up the respiratory system......and sinuses. And the price is unbelievable
This is definitely an oil you want to use in the morning..
By:Sandy, Selma, North Carolina Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 13-Dec-2006
Rating: The licorice scent is quite overpowering. One cannot deny the benefits of the basil oil, however, and the scent certainly is invigorating. Excellent to have on hand but not something I would use every day. Excellent quality, as always from new directions.
Rating: Not exactly like fresh basil at first, but give it a moment to experience the multidimensional quality. There's a bit of licorice, a bit of mint -- and then the basil you expect. Nicely complex and quite memorable.
By:Marina, Washington, District Of Columbia
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 17-Oct-2007
Rating: Clarifying for mind and senses, this oil has the green smell of a wet herb garden... perfect for summer blends-- I used in a 'Green Man' themed soap with dill weed, celery seed, and a bit of vanilla oil to make a sun-drenched verdent soap
By:Heidi, Grand Junction, Colorado
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 20-Feb-2007
Rating: Not quite what I expected but seems to be good quality
By:Victoria, Coconut Creek, Florida
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 18-Aug-2007
Rating: I really like this oil... although, as the others have said it is very sweet. This is a more than fair price for a great quality oil :)
By:Courtney, Fullerton, California
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 11-May-2007
Rating: I agree with Olga - it was not what I was expecting, however I love it! Very sweet, licorice like and even minty!
By:Joely, Topeka, Kansas Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 15-Nov-2006
Rating: This oil doesn't smell exactly like a fresh basil on my opinion, it's more licorice-like. I use it a lot for easing my daughter's sinus congestion, it seems to help.
By:Olga, Santa Clara, California Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 04-Mar-2006
Rating: A wonderful useful oil, Ocimum basilicum or Sweet basil -has an aroma just like the spice you might use in your pasta sauce: the aromas of the various basils are so different that it has been suggested to classify them according to the aroma, instead of botanical relationship. It is light, fresh, fruity-spicy with a balsamic, anise-like undertone. It has wonderful Aromatherapy properties: warming and toning. Restoring peace of mind and counteracting depression. Clarifying, uplifting, energizing. Blends well with: lavender, clary sage, thyme, cedarwood, bergamot, geranium, hyssop. Basil clears the head, relieves mind fatigue, giving clarity of thought. The oil is for EXTERNAL USE ONLY and it should always be diluted with a suitable carrier oil before applying to the skin. It is non-toxic and non-irritant but with possible sensitization in some individuals. Do not use if pregnant. Used for aches and pains, bronchitis, childbirth, colds, concentration, congestion, depression, fatigue, 'flu, head colds, headaches, herpes, hysteria, increased awareness, increasing production of breast milk, indecisiveness, indigestion, insect bites, insomnia, lack of confidence, menstruation, mental fatigue, mental stimulation, migraine, nausea, negative thoughts, oily skin, physical fatigue, rattled nerves, rheumatism, scanty periods, shingles, sinusitis, sore muscles, sorrowfulness, stimulating adrenal, stress, uplifting. (Also known as Common Basil, Joy-of-the-Mountain, True Sweet Basil, European Basil.) I give this one an excellent as it's one of the better one's I've used.
By:Candice, Sarasota, Florida Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 29-Jan-2006
With an unwavering commitment to offering the highest quality of products, we firmly believe that Quality Assurance is of utmost importance. It is imperative that meticulous tests, documentation, and certifications are supplied for every product in our portfolio. Our facility is equipped with a laboratory using state-of-the-art gas chromatography to rigorously test the veracity of the purity and potency of our sourced oils. This ensures that you our valued customer are supplied with superior products at all times.
PLEASE NOTE: The packaging shown above is a general representation of the various sizes and types of packaging available for this product. Not all sizes and types of packaging for this product may be available at all times.
Customers may purchase products from New Directions Aromatics Inc. only with the clear understanding that all products must be used at their own discretion, and only after referring to the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and all other relevant technical information specific to the product. New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be held responsible for any damages to property or for any adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm).
New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be responsible for any damages resulting from use of or reliance upon this information. The user of the product is solely responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations applying to the use of the products, including the intellectual property rights of third parties.
The certifications, statements and product descriptions shown on this website are strictly for information purposes only. The information in this document is obtained from current and reliable sources but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. Nothing contained herein should be considered as a recommendation by New Directions Aromatics Inc. as to the fitness for any use.
Further, New Directions Aromatics is not responsible for the comments made in the customer reviews, nor when products are used in ways not suitable to their purpose (for example, fragrance oils in toothpaste; bath salts in metal containers; additives used in larger amounts than recommended).
As with any manufacturing process, New Directions Aromatics strongly recommends small lab scale testing for evaluation purposes prior to full commercial manufacturing. As the ordinary or otherwise use(s) of this product is outside the control of New Directions Aromatics Inc., no representation or warranty, expressed or implied is made as to the effect(s) of such use(s) (including damage or injury), or the results obtained.
The liability of New Directions Aromatics Inc. is limited to the value of the goods and does not include any consequential loss. New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays regarding an order, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
Please note, the International Federation of Aromatherapists do not recommend that Essential Oils be taken internally unless under the supervision of a Medical Doctor who is also qualified in clinical Aromatherapy. In addition, Essential Oils must be properly diluted before use in order to avoid any damages to property or adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm).