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You can make essential oil from basil right at home using a simple steam distillation or even a quick solvent-free method with a carrier oil.
Making your own basil essential oil is a rewarding process that gives you a pure, fragrant oil for aromatherapy, natural remedies, and even homemade cleaning products.
While commercial basil essential oil is made with large distillation equipment, you can absolutely make essential oil from basil in your own kitchen with a few basic tools.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the entire process, covering the best basil varieties to use, two easy methods to make essential oil from basil, and how to store your finished oil properly.
Let’s dive in and start making your very own basil essential oil.
Why You Should Make Essential Oil From Basil
Making essential oil from basil at home is a fantastic way to capture the plant’s potent benefits while saving money and avoiding additives.
Basil essential oil is prized for its fresh, herbaceous aroma and its natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
When you make essential oil from basil yourself, you know exactly what’s in it: pure basil and nothing else.
Commercially produced basil essential oil can be expensive, and some brands dilute it with cheaper oils or synthetic fragrances.
By learning how to make essential oil from basil at home, you take full control of the quality and potency.
Plus, the process is surprisingly simple once you understand the basic principles of oil extraction.
1. Choose the Right Basil Variety
Not all basil is created equal when it comes to making essential oil from basil.
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is the most common variety used for essential oil because it has a high oil content and a classic, sweet aroma.
Lemon basil and holy basil (tulsi) are also excellent choices, each offering their own unique scent and therapeutic benefits.
For the best yield, harvest your basil in the morning after the dew has dried, as that’s when the essential oils are most concentrated in the leaves.
Avoid using basil that has flowered, because the plant’s energy goes into blooming, which reduces the oil content in the leaves.
Fresh, young leaves are your best bet for making essential oil from basil with maximum fragrance.
2. Gather Your Equipment
To make essential oil from basil using steam distillation, you’ll need a few specific items.
A large pot with a lid, a heat-safe bowl that fits inside the pot, ice, a glass jar for collecting the oil, and fresh basil leaves are the basics.
If you want a more precise setup, you can purchase a home distillation kit, but a DIY version works just as well for beginners.
You’ll also need a carrier oil like jojoba, almond, or olive oil if you choose the infusion method instead.
This is a crucial point: pure essential oil is highly concentrated, so for the infusion method, you’re actually making a basil-infused oil, not a true essential oil.
However, for most home uses, this infused oil is perfectly practical and much easier to make essential oil from basil this way.
How to Make Essential Oil From Basil: Two Simple Methods
There are two primary ways to make essential oil from basil at home, and each has its own advantages.
The first method is true steam distillation, which yields a few drops of highly concentrated essential oil.
The second method is a carrier oil infusion, which gives you a larger quantity of basil-scented oil that’s ready to use in skincare or cooking.
We’ll cover both so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and equipment.
Method 1: Steam Distillation for Pure Essential Oil
If you want to make essential oil from basil in its purest form, steam distillation is the way to go.
Start by thoroughly washing your basil leaves and patting them dry to remove any dirt or insects.
Place the clean basil leaves in the bottom of your large pot, then set the heat-safe bowl in the center of the pot, on top of the leaves.
Pour water into the pot, being careful not to let any water spill into the collection bowl.
Cover the pot with the lid turned upside down, so the handle points downward toward the bowl.
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer so the steam rises slowly.
Place ice cubes on top of the inverted lid; this cools the steam and causes it to condense back into liquid.
As the steam condenses, it drips into the bowl, carrying the aromatic oil from the basil with it.
After 45 to 60 minutes, you’ll see a watery liquid in the bowl, which contains both basil essential oil and what’s called hydrosol (floral water).
Carefully remove the bowl and pour the liquid into a glass jar, then let it sit for a few hours so the oil separates and rises to the top.
Use a dropper to siphon off the thin layer of pure basil essential oil from the surface, and you’ve successfully made essential oil from basil.
This process takes patience, and you’ll only get a few drops, but the aroma is incredibly potent and authentic.
Method 2: Carrier Oil Infusion for Easy Basil Oil
If steam distillation feels too fussy, you can make essential oil from basil using a carrier oil infusion, which is much simpler and yields more product.
To make essential oil from basil this way, you’ll need a clean glass jar, fresh or slightly dried basil leaves, and a high-quality carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil.
Bruise the basil leaves gently with your hands to release their natural oils, then pack them loosely into the jar.
Pour the carrier oil over the leaves until they’re completely submerged, leaving about an inch of space at the top of the jar.
Screw the lid on tightly and place the jar in a sunny windowsill or a warm spot for about two weeks.
Shake the jar gently every day to help the basil infuse into the oil.
After two weeks, strain the oil through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer to remove the leaves, squeezing them well to extract every drop of oil.
Transfer the finished basil-infused oil to a dark glass bottle and store it in a cool, dark place.
While this isn’t a true essential oil, it’s a perfect way to make essential oil from basil for body oils, massage blends, or adding flavor to salad dressings.
The infusion method is also more forgiving and doesn’t require any special equipment.
Tips for Getting the Best Results When You Make Essential Oil From Basil
Making essential oil from basil is a craft, and a few simple tips will dramatically improve your final product.
Always use fresh, high-quality basil, as wilted or old leaves will produce a dull, less aromatic oil.
If you’re using the steam distillation method, keep your heat low and steady to avoid burning the leaves, which can ruin the oil’s scent.
For the infusion method, be patient: the longer you let the basil soak, the stronger the oil will be.
You can also dry your basil slightly before infusing to reduce water content, which helps prevent mold from forming in the jar.
Store your finished basil essential oil (or infused oil) in a dark glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid, as light and air degrade essential oils over time.
Label your bottle with the date you made it, and plan to use it within six months to a year for the best potency.
If you notice any off smells or cloudiness, discard the oil and start fresh, as that’s a sign of spoilage.
So, How Do You Make Essential Oil From Basil?
You can make essential oil from basil at home using either steam distillation for a pure extract or carrier oil infusion for a simple, versatile oil.
Making essential oil from basil is very doable, and the process rewards you with a fragrant, natural oil that’s perfect for aromatherapy, skincare, and even culinary uses.
The key is to choose fresh basil, follow your chosen method carefully, and store your oil properly to keep it fresh.
So whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or trying this for the first time, making essential oil from basil is an enjoyable and satisfying project.
Plus, you’ll love the satisfaction of using your own homemade basil essential oil in your daily routine.
Now it’s time to grab some basil and get started on making your own essential oil from basil today.