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Dietary supplement

Basil Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by doTERRA

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Basil is a dietary supplement by doTERRA with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive upset and gas, stress and anxiety, antimicrobial support.Based on those ingredients, 289 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Basil. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Basil by doTERRA

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: basil, delivered in liquid form. Basil is a culinary herb that's been used traditionally for various purposes.

There are no inactive fillers or other ingredients listed.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Basil product and its label doesn't state a use — see Basil's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for basil isn't established in the data we hold. The product lists six uses—acne, headache, common cold, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence—but for all of them, the data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate whether basil actually works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Basil

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Basil eaten as food is generally well tolerated. However, concentrated extracts and essential oils—like the liquid form in this product—are less studied and safety isn't established.

The safety notes advise against medicinal doses and essential oil due to lack of data. One case of allergic contact dermatitis has been reported in someone with occupational exposure to basil.

Pregnancy and lactation data is mixed—some sources rate it likely safe, others possibly unsafe—so there isn't enough clarity to know either way; talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Basil

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Basil.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 289 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before using this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take blood thinners (anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs)—basil may increase bleeding risk. Also check if you're on blood-pressure medications (antihypertensive drugs)—basil may lower blood pressure further.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Basil liquid might appeal to someone familiar with basil as a culinary herb, but the evidence for its medicinal use isn't established. If you take blood thinners or blood-pressure medications, you'll want to check your specific drugs before using this.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting it, especially if you're on any prescription medications.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 28, 2019.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Basil, straight from the product label.

Brand doTERRA
Net contents 15 mL; 0.5 fl. Oz.
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 28, 2019
DSLD ID 202709
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Basil by doTERRA, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Drop(s)
Servings per container
250
IngredientAmount% DV
Basil60 mg--

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General

v9 30010001

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

For aromatic or topical use. Diffuse aromatically or, to apply topically, dilute with a carrier oil to minimize skin sensitivity.

For internal use dilute 1 drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid.

Precautions

Caution: Possible skin sensitivity.

Keep out of reach of children.

If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician.

Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.

Formula

Ocimum basilicum

FDA Statement of Identity

Essential Oil Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade

See for yourself

Basil by doTERRA label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Basil by doTERRA

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container250 Amounts shown are per serving.

Basil

Interacts with
289 drugs
60 mg per serving

Basil is a popular cooking herb that is generally safe in the amounts used in food. While it has a long history of traditional medicinal use and conta...

Basil monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Basil by doTERRA Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Basil?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
289Drugs
289 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Basil 289

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Basil with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Basil2 drug types · 289 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, basil might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro and animal studies suggest that basil oils and extracts inhibit platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, basil might increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.
Animal research suggests that basil extract can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Basil, from the product label.

doTERRA

See all doTERRA products
Name
doTERRA Intl, LLC
Street Address
389 South 1300 West
City
Pleasant Grove
State
UT
ZipCode
84062
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Basil by doTERRA: Common Questions

Does Basil by doTERRA interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Basil has a known interaction with 289 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Basil contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I use this if I'm pregnant or nursing?
The safety data is unclear—some sources rate basil likely safe, others possibly unsafe for pregnancy and lactation. There isn't enough information to know either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're pregnant or nursing.
Does basil actually work for acne, colds, or digestive issues?
The evidence isn't established in the data we hold. For all the uses listed on this product—acne, headache, common cold, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence—the data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate whether basil works.
Is this safe to use with food-grade basil?
This is a concentrated liquid extract, which is different from eating basil as a food. Food amounts of basil are generally safe, but concentrated extracts like this one are less studied and safety isn't established. Avoid medicinal doses and essential oil because the data is lacking.
Can basil cause allergic reactions?
Allergic contact dermatitis has been reported in someone with heavy occupational exposure to basil. If you have a known basil allergy or sensitivity, you should avoid this product and speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Basil label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Basil's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 7 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Basil 7 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  3. Tognolini, M., Barocelli, E., Ballabeni, V., Bruni, R., Bianchi, A., Chiavarini, M., and Impicciatore, M. Comparative screening of plant essential oils: phenylpropanoid moiety as basic core for antiplatelet activity. Life Sci. 2-23-2006;78(13):1419-1432. PubMed
  4. Tohti, I., Tursun, M., Umar, A., Turdi, S., Imin, H., and Moore, N. Aqueous extracts of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) decrease platelet aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin in vitro and rats arterio--venous shunt thrombosis in vivo. Thromb.Res 200 PubMed
  5. Amrani, S., Harnafi, H., Gadi, D., Mekhfi, H., Legssyer, A., Aziz, M., Martin-Nizard, F., and Bosca, L. Vasorelaxant and anti-platelet aggregation effects of aqueous Ocimum basilicum extract. J Ethnopharmacol. 8-17-2009;125(1):157-162. PubMed
  6. Umar, A., Imam, G., Yimin, W., Kerim, P., Tohti, I., Berke, B., and Moore, N. Antihypertensive effects of Ocimum basilicum L. (OBL) on blood pressure in renovascular hypertensive rats. Hypertens.Res 5-7-2010; PubMed
  7. Kiec-Swierczynska M, Krecisz B, Chomiczewska D, et al. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by basil (Ocimum basilicum). Contact Dermatitis 2010;63(6):365-7.

See these in context on the Basil monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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