• Holy Basil
  • Holy Basil

Holy Basil

  • Scientific Name
    Ocimum tenuiflorum
  • Family
    Lamiaceae
  • Origin
    Nepal, India, Africaetc.

CONTENTS

Plant description

Holy Basil is a plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family and grows up to 50 cm.  It has purple flowers that bloom from spring to late fall and has two species of leaves, green and purple. Revered as a sacred plant in India for centuries, it is said that Christians gave it the holy name and called it “Holy Basil”.  In Ayurveda, Holy Basil has been recognized for thousands of years as an adaptogenic herb. It has also been used on many occasions as a sacred plant, such as in India, where it is considered a sacred plant dedicated to the supreme goddess Vrindavani in her palace, and to accompany the death of Brahmin, a holy priest. Holy Basil is also known to be used as a culinary ingredient in Thai cuisine. The herb is native to regions like Nepal, India, and Africa.

Essential oil composition

Holy Basil

  • Holy Basil

  • INCI
    Ocimum Tenuiflorum Oil
  • Parts of Plant Used
    Whole Plant
  • Extraction Method
    Steam Distillation
  • Extraction Rate
    0.37% - 0.4%
  • Notes
    Middle
  • Aroma Family
    Herbal

Holy Basil Essential Oil Properties & Uses

About 0.37-0.4% of Holy Basil essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from the whole basil plant and has a light yellowish color. Its primary constituents include eugenol and carvacrol, and the timing of harvest can influence the sensory characteristics of the essential oil. Oil extracted slightly earlier in the cooler season tends to be less sweet and carries a more pronounced green herbal quality compared to oil obtained in the typical hot season. This versatile essential oil harmonizes seamlessly with other oils featuring floral sweetness, such as Lavender and Geranium, as well as those with a refreshing, crisp profile, like Lemon and Lemongrass. Due to its relatively strong fragrance, it is advisable to add it gradually when blending to achieve a balanced scent.

Essential oil composition

Essential oil composition

※An example of one batch production is shown here.

  • Eugenol　23.7%
  • Estragole　14.8%
  • 1,8-Cineole　12.9%
  • β-Bisabolene　12.2%
  • Bisabolene　11.0%
  • Ocimene　5.0%
  • α-Humulene　2.4%
  • β-Caryophyllene　2.0%
  • Germacrene D　1.9%
  • trans-α-Bergamotene　1.9%
  • β-Pinene　1.5%
  • Other components　10.9%

Functions and Efficacies

1,8-Cineole

1,8-Cineole
  • IUPAC Name
    1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane
  • Molecular Formula
    C15H26O
  • Molecular Weight
    154.25 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    470-82-6
  • Structure
    Monocyclic monoterpene ether

Functions and Efficacies of 1,8-Cineole

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○
Deodorizing Effects
Anti-malaria Effects ○

Anti-inflammatory Effects

A study reported that in mice with inflammation in the leg, swelling was concentration-dependently reduced in the 1,8-cineole-treated group.1)

Deodorizing Effects

A study reported that when common odorants like skatole and 3-methylbutanoic acid were stored in a sealed container with 1,8-cineole, the odorant components were significantly diminished.2)

Antimalarial Effects

A study reported that the addition of 1,8-cineole reduced the number of infected cells in malaria-infected erythrocytes. Furthermore, it was found to inhibit the intracellular growth of Plasmodium falciparum and mitigate the brain edema caused by the infection3)

  • 1)Yin et al., Br J Pharmacol., 2019
  • 2)Henmi et al., J. Japan Association on Odor Environment, 2020
  • 3)Santos et al., plos one, 2022

Eugenol

Eugenol
  • IUPAC Name
    2-methoxy-4-prop-2-enylphenol
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H12O2
  • Molecular Weight
    164.20 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    97-53-0
  • Structure
    Phenylpropanoid

Functions and Efficacies of Eugenol

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Anti-oxidant Effects ○
Anti-bacterial Effects ○
Anti-cancer Effects ○
Analgesic Effects ○

Anti-oxidant Effects

A study reported that eugenol possesses DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity and the capacity to inhibit the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human neutrophils induced by PMA and H2O2.1)

Anti-bacterial Effects

A study reported that the membrane-bound ATPase activity of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes was reduced by the addition of eugenol.2)

Anti-cancer Effects

A study reported that the addition of eugenol reduced the cell viability of human embryonic lung fibroblast MRC-5 and lung cancer adenocarcinoma cells A549. Additionally, it was found to inhibit cell migration and invasive ability as observed through wound healing and transwell assays.3)

Analgesic Effects

A study reported that when artificially cultured trigeminal ganglion neurons were stimulated, eugenol was reported to inhibit sodium channel action potentials. 4)This observation led to the suggestion that the inhibition of sodium channels in neurons can impede the transmission of pain signals, which has potential implications for pain management.

  • 1)Perez-Roses et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 2016
  • 2)Gill et al., Int. J. Food Microb., 2006
  • 3)Fangjun et al., Thoracic Cancer, 2018
  • 4)Hwang et al., Biomolecules, 2020

IFRA

Eugenol：
There are restrictions on its use in the final product due to its potential of having systemic toxicity and dermal sensitization.

Eugenol

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

Estragole：
There are restrictions on its use in the final product due to its potential of having systemic toxicity and dermal sensitization.

Estragole

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

References
Jennie Harding [Handbook of Essential Oil and Plant Oil] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2010.
Shinichiro Otsuki/Yukiko Ozaki [Scientific Name Etymology Dictionary of Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2009.
Jennie Harding [Illustrated Reference Book of Herbs] Sancho Publishing, 2012.
Freddy Ghozland/Xavier Fernandez [L’Herbier Parfume] Hara Publishing, 2013.
Kyohei Mikami [Comprehensive Guide to Essential Oils] Fragrance Journal, 2010.
Yuzuru Ogura [Dictionary of Plants] Tokyo-do Publishing, 1957.
Nobuo Ohashi [Dictionary of Medical Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2016.
Wanda Sellar [The directory of essential oils] Fragrance Journal, 1992.
Aroma Environment Association of Japan [AEAJ Aromatherapy Certification Official Textbook grade1&2] Sekaibunka, 1999.
Robert Tissearand [Essential Oil Safety] Fragrance Journal, 2018.
Ayako Berg [Aromatherapy Essential Oil Dictionary] Seibido Shuppan, 2022.
Azusa Annells [Enjoying Fragrance: An Illustrated Book of Aromas with Characteristics]Natsumesha CO.,LTD., 2023
International Fragrance Association, Eugenol, 2023.
International Fragrance Association, Estragole, 2023.
(All written in or translated to Japanese.)
Supervisor
Yamamoto Perfumery co., ltd.

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