What Is Basil? Other Names: Albahaca, Basilic, Ocimum Basilicum

What is Basil?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Basil, scientifically known as Ocimum basilicum, is a widely recognized herb that has been used extensively in various traditional medicine systems, particularly in Persian medicine. It is gaining popularity globally as a functional food due to its numerous health benefits. Other names include:  Albahaca, Basilic, Basilic Commun, Basilic Grand, Basilic Grand Vert, Basilic Romain, Basilic aux Sauces, Basilici Herba, Basilici Herba, Common Basil, Garden Basil, Munjariki, Ocimum basilicum, St. Josephwort, St. Joseph’s Wort, Surasa, Sweet Basil, Vanatulasi, Varvara.

Medicinal Properties

Basil is renowned for its anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and anti-oxidative properties. These attributes make it a valuable component in the management of various health conditions, including osteoarthritis. The herb’s essential oil, in particular, is noted for its therapeutic potential.

Clinical Applications

A recent clinical trial investigated the efficacy of basil oil in treating knee osteoarthritis. The study compared a traditional formulation of basil oil with diclofenac gel, a commonly used anti-inflammatory medication. The trial involved 100 patients who applied either basil oil or diclofenac gel topically three times daily for four weeks. The outcomes measured included knee pain, joint flexibility, and overall functional improvement1.

Study Findings

The results of the study indicated that both basil oil and diclofenac gel led to significant improvements in clinical symptoms and functional indicators of knee osteoarthritis. Notably, there were no significant differences between the two treatment groups, suggesting that basil oil could be as effective as diclofenac gel in managing this condition1.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Uses of Basil

Medicinal Uses

Basil, particularly Ocimum basilicum, is renowned for its medicinal properties. It has been traditionally used in various cultures, including Indian and Chinese medicine, to treat a range of conditions. One significant medicinal use of basil is its potential to improve reproductive health. Research has shown that basil maceration can enhance estradiol and progesterone synthesis, which may improve prenatal growth and development in offspring by optimizing uterine and placental growth1. Additionally, basil oil has been found to be effective in managing knee osteoarthritis, offering similar benefits to diclofenac gel in reducing pain and improving joint function2.

Cardiovascular Health

Basil has demonstrated potential benefits for cardiovascular health. A study on the antihypertensive effects of sweet basil leaves showed significant reductions in blood pressure among patients with stage 1 and 2 hypertension. This suggests that basil can be an effective adjunct therapy in managing hypertension3. Furthermore, inhalation of basil essential oil has been shown to ameliorate dyslipidemia and reduce white fat accumulation, indicating its potential in managing cardiovascular and lipid dysfunctions4.

Antioxidant Properties

Basil is rich in antioxidants, which play a crucial role in protecting the body against oxidative stress. Basil essential oil has been shown to modulate oxidative stress and DNA damage in the liver, offering protection against the harmful effects of pesticides like β-cyfluthrin5. Similarly, nanoencapsulation of basil essential oil has been found to alleviate oxidative stress and genotoxicity in rats exposed to iron nanoparticles, highlighting its protective role in food and medical applications6.

Cognitive and Neurological Benefits

Basil may also support cognitive health and protect against neurological damage. Long-term supplementation with sweet basil has been shown to prevent age-associated cognitive decline in mice, suggesting its potential in promoting healthy aging and preserving memory8. Additionally, basil extract has demonstrated protective effects on brain cells exposed to oxidative damage from electromagnetic fields, indicating its potential to safeguard the central nervous system7 10.

Reproductive Health

Basil has been found to enhance spermatogenesis and improve sperm parameters in rats. The antioxidant properties of basil contribute to increased sperm viability, motility, and testosterone levels, suggesting its potential as a treatment for improving male reproductive health9.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Adverse Effects of Basil

Increased Susceptibility to Infections: Basil plants may become more susceptible to grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) when fertilized with ammonium (NH4), which decreases calcium uptake. This susceptibility is linked to the form of nitrogen used in fertilization rather than basil itself being inherently harmful7.

Toxicity Concerns: While basil seed hydrogel was tested for acute toxicity and found to be safe in animal studies, it is important to note that high doses (up to 2000 mg/kg) were used without adverse effects, suggesting a high safety margin. However, this does not directly translate to human consumption, and excessive intake should be approached with caution6.

Interaction with Toxins: Basil essential oils have been studied for their protective effects against certain toxins, such as diazinon and β-cyfluthrin, in animal models. These studies highlight basil’s potential to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation rather than causing harm. However, they do not directly address adverse effects from basil itself1 2.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

How has Basil Improved Patient Outcomes?

Transplantation Outcomes

Liver Transplantation: Basiliximab, a monoclonal antibody derived from basil, significantly reduces acute rejection episodes in liver transplant recipients. It is particularly effective in HCV-negative patients, reducing rejection rates by 14.5% compared to placebo. Overall, basiliximab improves problem-free transplant rates at 12 months without increasing adverse events1.

Renal Transplantation: In diabetic and non-diabetic renal transplant recipients, basiliximab reduces the incidence of acute rejection and improves graft survival rates. It shows a 41% reduction in rejection for diabetics and 29% for non-diabetics, with no significant safety concerns3.

Osteoarthritis Management

Knee Osteoarthritis: Topical basil oil has been found to improve clinical symptoms and functional indicators of knee osteoarthritis similarly to diclofenac gel. This suggests basil oil as a viable management option for osteoarthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties2.

Stress and Sleep Improvement

Stress and Sleep Quality: Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) extract has been shown to reduce stress and improve sleep quality in adults. It lowers cortisol levels and improves subjective stress and sleep measures, indicating its potential as a natural remedy for stress-related conditions4.

Severe Limb Ischemia

Revascularization Strategies: In the BASIL trial, basil-based strategies like bypass surgery and balloon angioplasty were compared for severe limb ischemia. Both strategies showed similar outcomes in terms of amputation-free survival, with bypass surgery offering slightly better long-term survival but at a higher initial cost5 6 8.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Basil Mechanisms of Action

Neurogenesis and Apoptosis Modulation

Basil essential oils have been shown to modulate gene expression in the main olfactory bulb (MOB) of mice, particularly under stress conditions. It up-regulates genes like GFAP and Ki67, which are associated with enhanced neurogenesis, and down-regulates caspase-3, which is linked to reduced apoptosis. This suggests basil’s potential in alleviating stress-induced changes in the brain1.

Immune and Antioxidant Enhancement

Dietary supplementation of basil extracts in Nile tilapia demonstrated improved immune responses, including increased phagocytic activity and immunoglobulin levels. Basil also enhanced antioxidant status, as evidenced by improved antioxidant balance and increased resistance to infections3.

Growth and Physiological Effects

Basil extracts have been found to improve growth performance and physiological traits in fish, such as increased weight gain and improved digestive enzyme activities. This indicates basil’s role in enhancing overall health and growth through dietary means3.

Light-Induced Physiological Changes

Basil’s growth and physiological traits can be influenced by light quality and quantity. Different light treatments affect chlorophyll accumulation and phenolic compound concentration, which are crucial for basil’s growth and quality4.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Common Complaints Associated with Basil Use

Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to basil, which can manifest as skin irritation or respiratory issues when used topically or inhaled.

Gastrointestinal Issues: Consuming basil in large quantities might lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea or diarrhea, although this is not commonly reported in the studies provided.

Interactions with Medications: Basil oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which might interact with medications that have similar effects, potentially altering their efficacy or increasing the risk of side effects.

Potential Toxicity: While not directly related to basil itself, the study on basil essential oil’s protective effects against pesticide toxicity in rats suggests that high doses or prolonged use of basil oil could potentially lead to oxidative stress or other toxic effects if not used properly2.

Learn more with Consensus:

 

---

Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please seek immediate attention from a healthcare provider.