PDR for Herbal Medicines

64/BASIL

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plant are the

fresh or dried herb as well as the oil extracted from the dried

aerial parts.

Flower and Fruit: The white, labiate flowers are in 6-

blossomed, pedicled, almost sessile axillary false whorls.

The calyx is bilabiate, and the corolla is 4-lobed. The lower

lip is simple; the 4 stamens lie on it.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant grows from 20 to 40 cm

high. The stem is erect, branched from the base up and

downy. The leaves are ovate or oblong. They are long-

petioled, acuminate, irregularly dentate or entire-margined.

Characteristics: Basil has a characteristic odor and sharp

taste.

Habitat: The plant probably originated in India, Afghanistan,

Pakistan and northern India, and now is cultivated

worldwide.

Production: Basil herb consists of the dried, above-ground

parts of Ocimum basilicum. Oil of basil is the essential oil

extracted from the dried aerial parts of Ocimum basilicum by

steam distillation.

Other Names: St. Josephwort

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: BASIL HERB

Volatile oil: chief constituents are chavicol methyl ether

(estragole), linalool and eugenol

Caffeic acid derivatives

Flavonoids

EFFECTS: BASIL HERB

In vitro, Basil is antimicrobial.

COMPOUNDS: BASIL OIL

Chief constituents: estragole (chavicol methyl ether), lina-

lool, eugenol

EFFECTS: BASILOIL

In vitro, the oil demonstrates an antimicrobial effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE
BASIL HERB
Unproven Uses: Preparations of basil are used for supportive
therapy for feelings of fullness and flatulence, for the
stimulation of appetite and digestion, and as a diuretic.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Chinese Medicine: Basil herb is used for disturbances of

renal function, gum ulcers and as a hemostyptic both before

and after birth.

Indian Medicine: Among uses in Indian medicine are

earaches, rheumatoid arthritis, anorexia, itching and skin

diseases, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, malaria and other

febrile illnesses.

BASIL OIL

Unproven Uses: Among traditional uses for the oil are

wounds, rheumatic complaints, colds and chills, contusions,

joint pains and depression..

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

BASIL HERB

General: No health hazards or side effects are known in

conjunction with the proper administration of designated

therapeutic dosages.

Pregnancy: The herb contains about 0.5% essential oil with

up to 85% estragole. Because of the high estragole content in

the essential oil, the herb should not be taken during

pregnancy.

BASIL OIL

General: No health hazards or side effects are known in

conjunction with the proper administration of designated

therapeutic dosages. However, pending final determination

of the drug's carcinogenic potential, one should completely

forgo administration of the drug.

Pregnancy: Because a mutagenic effect in vitro and a

carcinogenic effect in animal experiments have been demon-

strated for estragole, oil of basil should not be administered

during pregnancy or while nursing.

Pediatric Use: Basil oil should not be given to infants or

small children.

DOSAGE

Until the final determination of die drug's carcinogenic

potential, one should completely forgo its administration.

LITERATURE

Balambal R et al!~, (1985) J Assoc Phys (India) 33(8):507.

Czygan FCh, Balsilikum - Ocimum basilicum L. Portrait einer

Arzneipflanze. In: ZPT 18(l):58-66. 1997.

Jain ML, Jain SR, (1972) Planta Med 22:66.

Lemberkovics E et al., Formation of essential oil and phenolic

compounds during the vegetation period in Ocimum basilicum.

In: PM 59(7)00. 1993.

Miller EC et al., (1983) Cancer Res 43:1124.

Opdyke DLJ, (1973) Food Cosmet Toxicol 11:867.