The Chinese used it to treat stomach, kidney and blood ailments. During the 11th century, Hildegard of Bingen used basil in a complicated mixture to treat cancerous tumors.
By the 17th century, basil was widely used in Europe to treat colds, warts, and intestinal worms. In Ayurvedic medicine, the juice is recommended for snakebites, as a general tonic, for chills, coughs, skin problems and earaches.

Properties:

antidepressant, antiseptic, stimulates the adrenal cortex, prevents vomiting, tonic, carminative, febrifuge, expectorant, soothes itching.

Medicinal uses:

SKIN CARE: insect bites; insect repellent, refreshing and tonic action benefits sluggish and congested skins and may help to control acne.

CIRCULATION, MUSCLES AND JOINTS: gout, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: bronchitis, coughs, earache, sinusitis

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea

GENITO-URINARY SYSTEM: cramps, scanty periods

IMMUNE SYSTEM: colds, fever, flu, infectious disease

NERVOUS SYSTEM: anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension. Good tonic for the nerves when feeling fragile, sharpening the senses and encouraging concentration.

Applications:

Blends:

Alertness: 80 drops lime, 60 drops rosemary, 20 drops ginger, 15 drops sweet basil combined in 4 oz of pure water

Restful sleep: 4 drops Peru balsam, 4 drops celery, 4 drops orange, 3 drops sweet basil in 1 Tbsp carrier oil

Digestive: 5 drops basil, 3 drops peppermint, 3drops Roman Chamomile

Respiratory: 6 drops basil, 3 drops pine, 3 drops benzoin

Reproductive: 5 drops basil, 4 drops lavender, 3 drops jasmine