BASIL ALLERGY
Key Allergens
Basil is a plant in the Lamiaceae family which contains lots of edible herbs such as mint, thyme and sage.
Basil is rarely linked to food allergy, to date there are no recorded allergens for basil by the World Health Organization (WHO), because there have not been enough study into allergic effects from this food. If you are interested in what is needed by the WHO before they add an allergen to their allergen database you can check that out HERE.
It also contains eugenol which is a chemical compound which can also cause contact allergies - this is what gives the food flavour and fragrance. These contact reactions are sometimes mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.
Basil is rarely linked to food allergy, to date there are no recorded allergens for basil by the World Health Organization (WHO), because there have not been enough study into allergic effects from this food. If you are interested in what is needed by the WHO before they add an allergen to their allergen database you can check that out HERE.
It also contains eugenol which is a chemical compound which can also cause contact allergies - this is what gives the food flavour and fragrance. These contact reactions are sometimes mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.
Food Intolerances
Basil is a low FODMAP food when eaten in normal quantities. FODMAP stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.
Basil is a food high in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause gastrointestinal food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.
You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.
Associated Syndromes
Eugenol is a contact allergen found in basil which can cause contact allergic dermatitis.
Cross Reactivity
Basil is a plant in the Lamiaceae family. Other plants in this family are oregano, thyme, sage, chia seeds, lavender, rosemary, marjoram and mint.
Other plants which contain eugenol include allspice, bay leaf, clove, cinnamon, turmeric, marjoram, mace, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, oregano and thyme.
Note that these food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Other plants which contain eugenol include allspice, bay leaf, clove, cinnamon, turmeric, marjoram, mace, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, oregano and thyme.
Note that these food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Resources
Websites
Articles and Journals
Biological Properties and Prospects for the Application of Eugenol—A Review, 2021
Angioedema Due to Lamiaceae Allergy, 2018
Essential oil eugenol: sources, extraction techniques and nutraceutical perspectives, 2017
Labiatae Allergy: Systemic Reactions Due to Ingestion of Oregano and Thyme, 1996
Spice allergy evaluated by results of patch tests, 1993
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