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Post by Suzanne R Banks
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Beautiful green basil!
If you are ever feeling down, a bit tired and generally blah, grab some fresh basil. Grind up a leaf in your fingers and inhale deeply. Eat a few leaves. Rest a minute.
Phew!
Basil: Essential Oil Recipes
Photo Stolen Pixabay
And if you can make a few blends with basil oil, it will not disappoint you at all. It is an oil that is so clearing and revitalising you’ll be so glad you’ve made friends with it. Here are a few recipes.
1. Basil: Put A few Drops Of Oil into the bottom of the Shower
This works in a similar way to just taking a whiff straight from the bottle, but if you’ve got an extra minute, it will give you a completely different experience. Your whole body will be immersed in an essential oil steam.
Basil oil will wake you up in the morning and give you a fresh green start to the day.
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Photo Stolen WikiMedia
2. Basil: Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist
In a 50ml mist bottle filled with water add 25 drops of oil
(depending on the packaging you have, you may need to use a little alcohol -like vodka- at the bottom of your bottle first, so the oils disperse into smaller drops to prevent clogging the atomiser top. I’ve found sometimes it works just with water, and sometimes it doesn’t – very annoying!)
“Cool Water Brain Rinse”
Clear brain fog –
Basil 8 drops
Orange 12 drops
Cypress 5 drops
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“Creative Explosion”
When you need to open to your creative drive –
Basil 6 drops
Rosemary 6 drops
Lime 6 drops
Geranium 6 drops
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“Bubble of Inspiration”
When you need to surround yourself with light, creative energy –
Basil 7 drops
Rosewood 12 drops
Lemongrass 6 drops
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“It’s Morning!”
Help the whole family wake up smiling –
Basil 8 drops
Petitgrain 12 drops
Cedarwood Virginian 5 drops
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Photo stolen Wikipedia
3. Basil: Pure Pulse Point Perfume
In a little dish mix these oils and anoint your pulse points or chakras – 3 drops of essential oils and dilute with a few drops of carrier oil – always patch test first!
“Awaken the Goddess”
Open to divine guidance –
Basil 1 drop
Sandalwood Australian 1 drop
Mandarin 1 drop
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“Big Meeting this Morning”
Stay focused and relaxed-
Basil 2 drops
Lavender 1 drop
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“Clean Green”
Give yourself a burst of vitality –
Basil 1 drop
Palmarosa 1 drop
May Chang 1 drop
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Photo Stolen Flickr
4. Basil: Scent Your Space
I usually say “In a traditional oil burner with a candle or a diffuser add 25 drops of oil”, but I also recommend you put about 15 drops in the water with your usual product and mop the floors. It’s a great way to get an aromatherapy treatment while cleaning!
and
In a traditional oil burner with a candle or a diffuser add 25 drops of oil –
“Hello World”
Welcome every day –
Basil 6 drops
Peru Balsam 8 drops
Lemon 11 drops
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Happy blending and remember to use your intention when you are creating your formulas. See my article about intention.
Suzanne R Banks XXX
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Australian Perfume Junkies 
Ho there Suzanne,
Another interesting read. I love the way you bring notes to my attention that I would never have thought of. We have basil in the garden and I love to crush a leaf and inhale deeply, then pop it in my mouth and YUM.
Double Delight.
Portia xx
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Thanks Portia sometimes we forget the simple ways of doing things. Just making a basil pesto will give you an aromatherapy treatment! x
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Hi Suzanne. I’m briefly peeking out from the depths of the lurkers’ grotto to say how much I’m enjoying all of your posts here. Thanks!
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Thanks Holly! You are no longer a lurker but a bonefide aromatherapy student. Keep up the great work x
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Thank you so much for these essential oil recipes. I shall try some of the tonight!
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Thanks Ferris I hope some of your blends worked well – basil can be a bit tricky to blend with other oils x
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Would have never thought of scenting myself with basil, I’ll have to give these a try!
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Yes Devin I agree as it’s such a distinct scent. I use a little basil sometimes with clients and it has really positive effects. When you get the blend right with basil its fantastic!
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Hey Suzanne,
I would love to add Basil Tulsi to this as it is such a divine oil. And also a couple of tips.
This particular Basil has clove, cinnamon, spice undertones and lends itself well to many other essential oils.
Beware those that are not super keen on Basil essential oil, it has a very powerful aroma and can easily take over or spoil a blend.
Also please check for contra-indications if using basil to apply to your body, it does have some major conra-indications.
Essential oils are 70 times stronger than the original plant they are derived from.
Just thought this may be worth mentioning…
When I use essential oils in the shower I add a few drops to a face cloth and stomp on it, that way the oil is not washed down the drain and as you stomp you get 2 pathways of absorbtion through the instep of your feet and via the olfactory as you breath in the steam.
When I am using a burner I don’t put more than 10 drops in total at any given time, especially top notes as they evaporate very quickly. You can always top up, that way you get less wastage.
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Thanks Julie I love the idea of stomping on the face cloth in the shower I’ll try that next time.
I’ve had no problems using basil on the body at all with myself or clients but must admit I don’t use it a lot.
And as far as the oils in the burner go I always use about 20 – 25 drops initially and then never top up, and I always stick with this too. Is there an official protocol for ratios in a diffuser and/or burner?
thanks
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Also I do always say in my recipes to patch test first and although people don’t usually do that it is a recommendation that I include. Thanks again Julie x
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Hi Lovely, it is great to recommend a patch test 😉
Standard recommendations for adding oils to an oil burner 6-10 drops it will still last the same amount of time. Using more in the burner means you are going through your oils faster. The amount doesn’t change the evaporation time it will last the same amount of time. May be more potent in aroma for a short time. When using these tools you can choose to add what you like, I am coming from a wastage point of view, because they are expensive and prices are rising 😦
Using a diffuser is quite different and more drops are recommended and, it depends on the type of diffuser whether a professional one which are used therapeutically or one of the commercial ones which I don’t recommend, only my personal opinion.
Basil is cautioned for topical use on people with skin problems and in bathing as it may irritate our sensitive bits. In strong dilutions it can cause headaches for some. Everyone will respond and react differently. I just like to give this info, not to scare people, to bring awareness.
We have some essential oil MLM’s growing rapidly in Australia, sadly people with a weeks training believe they are qualified and are giving so much incorrect info. Those of us like yourself and I who are fully qualified need to protect our industry and educate.
One of my favourite old study blends was 2 drops of Basil, 2 drops Spearmint, 4 drops of Bitter Orange…
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