The world market for basil oil is dominated by two main types, the European and Egyptian basil oils.

• The European sweet basil, cultivated and distilled in Europe, the Mediterranean region, and the United States is considered to be of the highest quality, producing the finest odor. Characteristically, the essential oil from this basil contains high concentrations of linalool and methylchavicol (estragole), at a ratio of 2 or 3:1. Other constituents found in low concentrations include: 1,8-cineole, eugenol, alpha-terpeniol, beta-caryophyllene, geraniol, sabinene, alpha-phellandrene, gamma-terpinene, thujone, myrcene, limonene, ocimene, and para-cymene.
• The Egyptian basil oil is very similar to the European but with a higher concentration and ratio of methylchavicol relative to linalool.