Basil, Canum

I’m so thankful I ordered this on my latest round of experimentation with various basil oils. I’m a fan, aromatically, of all of the basils. I accidentally fell in love with basil methyl chavicol when I first began exploring essential oils and purchased it- it was advertised as basil, linalool but when I later bought from reputable, quality sources, I learned that the basil scent I believed was basil linalool was actually methyl chavicol. Live and learn, as most of us do when we begin this journey. Basil oils were the first ones to really teach me how important it is to understand the various chemotypes and how their constituents can vary so widely from cultivar to cultivar and then the various differences between even the same oil from the same plant but grown in different lands with varying weather patterns, available rain, air quality, etc. Plants adapt to their environment in ways that cause their essential oils to vary in order to thrive, and it is that power that we’re harnessing when we extract the oils and use them therapeutically or aromatically. Basils have always been the most valuable and oils I have in my collection for both purposes.

This particular oil is bright yet balsamic, citrusy yet woody, clean yet smoky. It’s comparable to the various qualities one finds in a quality frankincense, where you’re sometimes unsure if you’re possibly smelling a wood, a fruit, a leaf, or a seed, if that makes sense to you. (I’m not saying it smells like frankincense, but saying it has a similar type of aroma journey).Unlike other basils with a camphorous scent, this one doesn’t reveal that aspect until it’s at the last of its dry down, which is fascinating to me. Usually when there’s any camphor quality to an oil, it’s front and center. Brilliant mixed with magnolia and lemongrass.

I will return to purchase this oil again and again. I’m still learning ways to use it as part of self-care and home remedies for myself and my family, but I’d purchase this repeatedly for its aromatic delights alone. There’s no question as to the quality of this oil as it’s evident from the moment you experience it that it’s been grown and distilled with skill and bottled with extreme care and expertise. I so deeply appreciate Oshadhi for truly allowing me to experience so much variety within this addictive world of essential oils. I’ve learned very quickly that the scientific knowledge and commitment to quality that is offered here is above and beyond and this makes every dollar a dollar well spent.