I read so much about soapmaking on a daily basis that I keep a file with random notes so that I can go back and research the different topics later as they become more relevant to me. Under my "EO Notes" tab I had made the following note:
"Get Sweet Basil (or Basil Linalool) essential oil, with high linalool content (60%+) and low Methyl Chavicol (estragole). Do not purchase Basil ct Estragole (Ocimum basilicum L)."
Along with that note I had a link to the same Using EO Safely website that IrishLass referenced. It was a direct link to an article titled "What Kind of Basil is Lurking in Your Bottle and Why It Matters," but, unfortunately, the link no longer appears to be valid.
Of course, this note was made AFTER I had already purchased basil EO from New Directions Aromatics that is Ocimum basilicum, ct. Estragole. So while I will not likely purchase the same oil again, the few times I have used it I have found that a very little bit goes a long way and including it at more than 5% of a blend gets to be too much for my nose (i.e. 0.05oz basil in 1oz total EO blend). For such a low amount, and for personal use, I am unconcerned about using it. But again, in the future I will conduct more research and decide if a high linalool basil EO seems "safer" or if I should eliminate basil out of my EO arsenal entirely.