© H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Basil
CautionBasilikum · (Ocimum basilicum)
Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Description
Depending on the variety, basil can smell distinctly of anise, clove or lemon, because plants of different chemotypes vary widely in their ratio of linalool, estragole and eugenol in the essential oil. The fresh leaves are harvested in summer, between June and September. Besides its aromatic compounds, the herb supplies rosmarinic acid and a notably high vitamin K content of around 415 µg per 100 g. In the kitchen basil is used raw, as a spice or as tea; in folk medicine it is considered digestion-supporting, and the essential oil has been used externally for skin issues. Commission E issued a negative monograph for basil as a medicinal plant, citing insufficient evidence of efficacy and the fact that estragole in the essential oil proved mutagenic and hepatotoxic in animal studies — Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment classifies it as potentially carcinogenic. As a culinary herb in normal household amounts, however, basil is considered safe.
Fresh leaves are used as a primary culinary herb in southern European – especially Italian – cuisine. Aroma is most intense just before flowering. Volatile oils dissipate with heat; add at the end of cooking.
Preparation & dosage
Basil tea made from fresh or dried leaves is used in folk medicine for flatulence, bloating and stomach cramps (carminative and antispasmodic effect of the essential oil). Commission E considered the evidence insufficient to approve therapeutic use.
Preparation & dosage
Pour 150 ml hot water over 1–2 g dried leaves, steep 10 minutes, strain.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
The essential oil (main constituents linalool and eugenol) shows pronounced antibacterial and antifungal activity in vitro. Used externally, well diluted (1–2 % in carrier oil), in folk medicine for skin infections, insect stings and acne. Never apply undiluted to the skin.
Aromatherapeutically, fresh leaves or the essential oil are used for exhaustion, migraine, insomnia and mild respiratory irritation. Linalool is regarded as calming; clinical evidence is lacking.
Fresh basil leaves are rich in vitamin K (ca. 415 µg/100 g), manganese and iron, as well as rosmarinic acid, a phenolic antioxidant. Basil oil and seeds are used as components of herbal liqueurs and macerations.
In folk medicine a basil infusion is used as a gargle for mild inflammation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. The antiseptic effect of eugenol is well known in dentistry.
The essential oil of basil contains estragole (methyl chavicol), which is mutagenic and hepatotoxic in animal studies and classified as potentially carcinogenic by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). As a culinary herb in normal amounts basil is considered safe (GRAS). Commission E issued a negative monograph (insufficient efficacy evidence, estragole risk). ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): non-toxic to dogs and cats.
Basil as a culinary herb is considered safe. The essential oil and medicinal doses should be avoided during pregnancy (estragole).
Traditionally used as a galactagogue; nursing mothers should not take the essential oil internally due to estragole content.
The essential oil must not be used in infants and young children. As a spice in childhood, it is safe.
Contraindications
- Known allergy to basil or other Lamiaceae.
Harvested part: fresh leaves (summer)
- Time of day:
- Morning after dew has dried, before midday heat – essential oil content peaks at this time.
- Drying:
- Dry loosely on a rack or baking paper at max. 35 °C; do not hang in bunches (mould risk). Store dried leaves in an airtight container, cool and dark, up to 12 months.
- Storage:
- 12 months
- Time of day:
- Harvest just before flowering – linalool content in the essential oil is highest and estragole proportion relatively lower.
- Drying:
- For essential oil: use fresh material immediately or gently dry at 40 °C (linalool content rises from ca. 45 % to ca. 87 % upon drying).
- LinaloolEssential oilContent: bis 85 % im ätherischen ÖlLeaf
Primary monoterpene of the European chemotype; antimicrobial, antifungal, mildly sedating.
- Estragol (Methyl-Chavicol)Essential oilContent: bis 90 % im ätherischen Öl (Chemotyp-abhängig)Leaf
Main component of the estragole chemotype; mutagenic in high doses (animal study). No proven risk at culinary amounts.
- EugenolEssential oilContent: bis 20 % im ätherischen ÖlLeaf
Phenylpropanoid; antiseptic, locally analgesic; contributes the clove-like note to basil aroma.
- Rosmarinic acidPhenolic acidContent: 0,04–14 % (TG, sortenabhängig)Leaf
Most important phenolic antioxidant in basil; anti-inflammatory, antiviral.
- 1,8-Cineol (Eucalyptol)Essential oilContent: variabel, bis 8 %Aerial parts
Monoterpene; mucolytic; characteristic of eucalyptus-type basil varieties.
- Ursolic acidOtherContent: ca. 0,27 % (TG)Leaf
Triterpenoid; anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties in laboratory studies.
- Vitamin KVitaminContent: ca. 415 µg/100 g FrischgewichtLeaf
Fresh leaf is particularly rich; relevant for blood coagulation. Nutritionally significant with regular consumption.
- [3]MonographOcimum basilicum – PFAF Plant Database(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [4]MonographSweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) — A Review of Its Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, and Biotechnological Development. Plants 2023, 12(24), 4148(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [5]MonographThe Effect of Ocimum basilicum L. and Its Main Ingredients on Respiratory Disorders. Frontiers in Pharmacology 2022, 12:805391(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [6]MonographASPCA Animal Poison Control — Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats(accessed: 2026-08-10)
- [1]WikipediaBasilikum (Wikipedia DE)(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [2]WikipediaBasil (Wikipedia EN)(accessed: 2026-05-22)
Distribution in Europe
🪴 Grow at home
- ☀ Light
- full sun
- 💧 Water
- every few days
- 🌱 Soil
- Herb compost, loose
- 🪴 Pot
- 18 cm
- ⭐ Difficulty
- ★★☆ intermediate
- 🐾 Pets
- non-toxic — verified against the ASPCA list
Tips:
- Supermarket basil is usually overplanted — split into 3 pots when repotting.
- Harvest tips, NEVER individual leaves — plant becomes bushy.
- Water in the morning, never on leaves.
Care tips are general indoor-gardening recommendations, not scientific sources.
🤝 Permaculture Partners
In your garden, this plant acts as:
✨ Best symbiotic partners
- 🌿 Garlic Basil supports garlic growth.
- 🌿 Capsicum annuum Basil deters pests and improves pepper aroma.
- 🌿 Capsicum chinense Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Eruca sativa Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Oregano Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Parsley Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Tomato Tomato gives basil partial shade during midday heat.
- 🌿 Eggplant Basil protects eggplant from whitefly.
- 🌿 Tagetes patula Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🌿 Thymus vulgaris Classic companion-planting partner.
🌟 Neutral neighbours
⚠️ Better not planted together
- 🥬 Peppermint Mint overgrows basil and competes for water.
- 🥬 Rosemary Rosemary likes dry, basil likes moist — water conflict.
- 🥬 Salvia officinalis Sage essential oils inhibit basil.
📦 Part of these planting sets:
Source: Helga und Margarete Langerhorst, Mein gesunder Naturgarten (eigene Kuration)