The Lamiaceae family's holy basil, also known as Ocimum sanctum, is an adaptogen that helps the human body cope with stress and enhance mental equilibrium. Basil extract possesses antiviral, antifungal, analgesic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties making it useful in a variety of sectors, including medicines and cosmetics. Christmas basil, cinnamon basil, black opal basil, lemon basil spicy bush basil, purple ruffles basil, lime basil, sweet basil, and sweet Thai basil are all varieties of basil. The term comes from the fact that holy basil is regarded sacred, especially in the Indian subcontinent. Almost every component of the plant (leaves, stems, and seeds) is utilized to make medications in traditional medicine. Basil extracts have seen a growth in demand owing to their widespread usage in pharmaceutical and personal care products, such as those used to treat infections such as keloids, raised scars, acne, and mouth ulcers. Basil extracts are also used to treat dental issues including pyorrhea, poor breath, bleeding gums, and tooth decay, as well as acting as an antioxidant. Major firms in the pharmaceuticals and cosmetics sectors are being influenced to produce goods employing natural components such as basil extracts as a result of changing customer preferences defined by a stronger propensity toward products manufactured from natural ingredients. Basil extracts are also used in small amounts in the food and beverage business, such as in herbal tea and pesto production. As a result, growing application areas for basil extracts are likely to enhance basil extracts market revenue considerably throughout the forecast period (2016–2024).
Basil extract and related products are produced and consumed mostly in the Asia Pacific, with India being the top producer. Over the projected period, the region is likely to maintain its dominance in the basil extracts market. Growing consumer awareness of the various health benefits associated with basil, as well as growing adoption of basil in various pharmaceutical and cosmetics products as a natural ingredient and rising consumer inclination toward all-natural products, are expected to argue favorably for the market's rapid growth shortly in North America. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Holy Basil the designation of 'Generally Recognized as Safe,' paving the road for increased regulatory clearance for a variety of purposes. Basil will likely be used in packaging films to provide exceptional antibacterial qualities (Study of Antimicrobial Polymeric Packaging Films Containing Basil Extracts, Panuwat Suppakul, Victoria University, 2004). The commercialization of the same would open up a new market for basil.