Basil

Basil is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant that grows to a height of between 20 and 60 cm. Its green leaves, about 6 cm long and 4 cm wide, are egg-shaped, their surface is smooth and slightly curved upwards. The typical, distinctive scent of basil is secreted by the numerous oil glands on the leaves. Basil blooms between June and September and produces relatively inconspicuous white to pale pink flowers. From these, the typical clypeus fruits of the plant family develop, with each clypeus containing one seed.

ESCOP: not processed

EMA: not processed

Commission E: negative monograph due to the content of estragole, which is suspected to be carcinogenic.

More recent studies have focused on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the plant with promising results to date. see also Basilici aetheroleum.

Basil extracts are used in cosmetic formulations.

1. Kiesewetter H. (2017) Medicinal plants in dermatology - Part 5: Basil (Omicum basilicum L.) Derm 23: 343-344
2. https://pflanzen.fnr.de/industriepflanzen/arzneipflanzen/pflanzen-datenba
3. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practitioners. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 121-122
4. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/basilikum.php