Sweet Basil

What is Sweet Basil?

Sweet basil, also known as Ocimum basilicum, is an herb that belongs to the mint family. It is commonly used in cooking to add flavor to dishes, but it has also been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.

How does it work?

Sweet basil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, which may contribute to its medicinal benefits.

What are the active ingredients that are important for its medicinal properties?

Sweet basil contains several important active ingredients, including eugenol, linalool, and rosmarinic acid.

What forms does it come in?

Sweet basil is available in various forms, including fresh or dried leaves, essential oil, and supplements.

When was it first used for medicinal purposes?

Sweet basil has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries in traditional medicine practices in various countries, including India, Egypt, and China.

What does Sweet Basil help with?

Sweet basil is the leafy green herb used in kitchens all over the world. It has a long place in Ayurvedic and Mediterranean food traditions. People eat the fresh leaves, drink it as a tea, or use the diluted oil on skin.

The overall evidence grade on file for basil is C. That means the human studies are small, early or mixed. Much of what we know comes from lab work and from long use as a food.

• Blood sugar that runs high
  Early evidence — several small human and clinical studies; sizes and doses not recorded in the file. Several human studies found that basil extract lowered fasting blood sugar. Some also found smaller blood sugar rises after meals. Researchers think basil may improve how the body responds to insulin, but the file does not record the number of people or the doses used.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• High cholesterol
  Early evidence — clinical studies on file, with no group sizes or doses recorded. In clinical studies, basil compounds such as ursolic acid were linked to lower LDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides. HDL, the helpful kind, stayed at healthy levels. The file lists no group sizes or doses for this work.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Stress and mild anxiety
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — early research only, with sizes, doses and study type not recorded. Early research on basil scent and basil in food reported small lifts in mood and mild easing of anxiety. This work is preliminary, and the file records no sizes or doses. In lab studies, two basil compounds, linalool and apigenin, acted on calming receptors in the brain.
  Evidence grade D · Traditional tier T3
• Bloating, cramping and mild stomach upset
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — lab work plus long traditional use; no human trial on file. Basil has been used as a digestive herb across many cultures. In lab work, its volatile oils relaxed the smooth muscle of the gut. No human trial of basil tea or basil food for bloating or nausea is on file.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3
• Joint pain and general aches
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — laboratory work on basil compounds only. Two basil compounds, eugenol and rosmarinic acid, quieted inflammation signals in lab studies. The action looks like a gentler version of how some common pain drugs work. No trial in people with arthritis or everyday aches is on file.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3
• Germs on the skin and in food
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — well-documented lab studies; no human trial on file. Lab studies document that basil oil and basil extracts break down the outer wall of some bacteria and fungi. This included some strains that resist antibiotics. These results come from the lab bench, not from treating infections in people.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3
• Minor cuts, bites and irritated skin
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — tradition plus lab studies; no human trial on file. Diluted basil oil has long been put on insect bites, small cuts and skin infections in many cultures. Lab work shows it can kill germs and damp down inflammation. No human trial of basil oil for wound healing is on file.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3
• Aging and everyday cell damage
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — laboratory antioxidant testing only. Basil is rich in antioxidants, including rosmarinic acid, orientin and vicenin. In lab tests, these mop up free radicals, the unstable bits that damage cells. Whether eating basil changes aging or disease risk in people has not been tested in any trial on file.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3
• Headaches and mild pain
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — tradition plus lab work on eugenol; no human trial on file. Eugenol is basil's main volatile oil. In lab studies it showed mild pain-easing and anti-inflammatory action. Basil was traditionally rubbed on the temples for a headache, but no human trial of that use is on file.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3

What Sweet Basil has not been shown to do

• No human trial on file shows that basil clears a bacterial or fungal infection, so it is not a stand-in for antibiotics or antifungal medicine.
• No human trial on file shows that basil eases arthritis pain or joint swelling.
• No human trial on file shows that basil relieves a headache.
• No human trial on file shows that basil settles bloating, cramping or nausea.
• The blood sugar and cholesterol studies on file do not show that basil can replace diabetes or cholesterol medicine.

How to read this:

The grades here rate the evidence, not the strength of the herb. A means many good human trials agree. B means one good human trial. C means small, early or mixed human studies. D means the human evidence is weak or clashes. Insufficient means no human study on file, just lab work, animal work or tradition. This page is a summary of what studies found. It is not medical advice, and it is not a plan for treating illness. Talk with your own clinician before you add basil extract or basil oil, above all if you take medicine for blood sugar or cholesterol.

What can Sweet Basil help prevent?

• Oxidative stress-related cellular damage (via high antioxidant content)
• Post-meal blood sugar spikes in people at risk for type 2 diabetes
• Foodborne illness when used in cooking (antimicrobial action against common pathogens)

Which foods are rich in it?

Sweet basil can be found in various foods, including:

• Italian cuisine
• Thai cuisine
• Mediterranean cuisine
• Pesto sauce
• Salad dressings

What are possible side effects?

Sweet basil is generally well tolerated, but some people may experience allergic reactions or skin irritation. In rare cases, it may cause stomach upset or diarrhea.

What’s the recommended daily dose?

The recommended daily dose of sweet basil varies depending on the form and intended use, but supplements typically provide 300-600 mg of dried leaf extract.

How many days does it take to work?

The time it takes for sweet basil to work may vary depending on the individual and the condition being treated.

What time of day is best to take it?

There is no specific time of day that is best for taking sweet basil, but it is recommended to take it at the same time each day.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

Sweet basil supplements can be taken with or without food, but it is recommended to take it with a meal to improve absorption.