Basil is a plant and an herb.

    “Oil of basil helps fight colds, coughs, cramps, fever, anxiety, and much more.” —Escential Lotions & Oils

• botanical information
• part used
• storage
• astrological correspondences
• magick correspondences and uses
• magick incense
• ritual uses
• Goddesses and deities
• essential oil
• health care
• Ayurvedic herbalism
• modern herbal healing
• medicinal teas

botanical information:

    Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum

    Common name: basil

    Use the botanical name when ordering seeds (bulbs, etc.) or when looking up information in the library. Common names vary by nation, culture, and region, and sometimes the same common name is applied to different plants.

part used:

Part Used: Dried leaf in teas or essential oils for topical application. Information courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs

storage:

    Storage: Eat fresh basil within two days of purchase. You can dry basil.

astrological correspondences:

    Astrological planet: Mars

magickal correspondences and uses:

    Incense: Basil incense or herb is appropriate for burning in love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell, Hecate black candle love spell, or Isis Full Moon love spell.

    Gender: masculine (traditional western European magickal gender)

    Western element: fire

    Magickal uses: courage, fertility, healing relationships, love, protection, purification, wealth (if carried in your wallet)

    Used for house blessings. Used in beverages and spells related to inittation.

    Carry in your wallet to bring wealth.

    Mars spells: Basil (as herb or essential oil) may be used in as an ingredient or substitute for magick spells and formulas related to Mars matters (aggression, courage, defensive magick, exorcism, healing after surgery, hex-breaking, lust, physical strength, politics, protection, sexual energy, sexual potency, and strength). Be careful about substitutions for preparations that will be ingested or come in contact with the skin. These substitutions do not apply to medical uses. See the article on Mars for a list of herbal substitutes for basil.

    Using essential oils: Essential oils are just too concentrated and too expensve to use without dilution. If you purchase pure essential oil from a source such as Mountain Rose, you will want to place just a drop or two into a neutral carrier vegetable oil or jojoba. This conservation is typical of the use of essential oils in spells and other magick. It is wise to test a bit of any essential oil on your inner wrist before use. If any irritation occurs, do not use the essential oil. Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets and away from heat and light. See the article on essential oils for detailed information on how to mix and use essential oils.

    Love spells: Basil flowers are appropriate for use in love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell.

    Magick food for love spells: Basil is an appropriate ingredient for use in food for love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell, Hecate black candle love spell, or Isis Full Moon love spell. See the article on foods for more information on using food magick in spells.

    Magickal substitutions: Rosemary usually may be safely substituted for any herb in magick spells and rituals. Roses may safely be substituted for any flower.

Magical Uses Primarily used in spells for love or money, but can also be used for protection. Best to carry fresh leaves in a sachet (red bag for love, green for money). Ruling Element: Fire. healing relationships, courage, fertility, exorcism. Add to money incense, put a pinch of Basil in four corners of you home at the start of each season to bring prosperity your way. It is said that if you grow Basil in your garden, yell and scream at it, to make a strong plant. Flying, Protection information courtesy of

ritual uses:

    Ritual use: Women would place a pot of basil on their balcony to indicate that they were ready to receive suitors.

    Ritual use: Basil was given to the dead in India to guarantee their entrance into the afterlife.

deities associated with basil:

• Krishna (Hindu God)
• Vishnu (Hindu God)

essential oil:

    Essential Oil: Basil essential oil can be used for both aromatherapy and magick.
    Method of Extraction: steam distilled (true essential oil)
    Color: clear
    Consistency: thin
    Perfumery Note: top
    Strength of Initial Aroma: medium
    Aromatic Description: herbaceous, licorice-like, sweet, slightly campherous
    Constituents: Linalol, Fenchol, Eugenol, Methyl chavicol, Beta-caryophyllene
    Aromatherapy Uses: bronchitis, colds, coughs, exhaustion, flatulence, flu, gout, insect bites, insect repellent, muscle aches, rheumatism, sinusitis
    Aromatherapy Uses: burnout, concentration, exhaustion, fatigue, memory
    Safety Information: Use sparingly and with caution. Avoid during pregnancy; avoid in cases of liver problems, avoid high doses as methyl chavicol content may be carcinogenic. See also health notes below.

    Using essential oils: Essential oils are just too concentrated and too expensve to use without dilution. If you purchase pure essential oil from a source such as Mountain Rose, you will want to place just a drop or two into a neutral carrier vegetable oil or jojoba. This conservation is typical of the use of essential oils in spells and other magick. It is wise to test a bit of any essential oil on your inner wrist before use. If any irritation occurs, do not use the essential oil. Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets and away from heat and light. See the article on essential oils for detailed information on how to mix and use essential oils.

health care uses:

    Health Notice: Attempting to be an amateur doctor is potentially dangerous to your health. This web page is not professional medical advice. Nothing on this website should be considered as a substitute or replacement for professional medical advice. Persons should seek the advice of qualified health providers. Self-medication should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. Please confirm all self-medication with your doctor or health care professional. See the article on healing for recommended healers.

Ayurvedic herbalism:

    Ayurvedic Doshas: VK- P+ Vata decreases; Kapha; decreasesPitta increases.

    For more information, see the article on Ayurvedic medicine.

herbal healing:

    “Oil of basil helps fight colds, coughs, cramps, fever, anxiety, and much more.” —Escential Lotions & Oils

medicinal tea:

    Medicinal tea: Herb is prepared in a tea for calming nerves, settling the stomach, and easing cramps.

    Tincture: Good hair rinse for brunettes.

Some herbs may be poisonious under some conditions. Exercise appropriate care.

    Wild gathering: Avoid wild gathering. Some plants are endangered species. Some plants can be toxic just by touch. Even experts can make deadly misidentifications of wild plants. Please grow your own herbs in your own goddess garden (or window boxes).

See also: herbs

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