Higher classification Basil | Rank Species | |
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Similar Basil, Lamiaceae, Ocimum americanum, African blue basil, Vernonia amygdalina | ||
Ocimum gratissimum
Ocimum gratissimum, also known as clove basil, African basil, and in Hawaii as wild basil, is a species of Ocimum. It is native to Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and naturalized in Polynesia, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama, West Indies, Brazil, and Bolivia.
Contents
- Ocimum gratissimum
- Ocimum gratissimum perennial basil
- Other names
- Seed germination
- Pharmacology of extracts and essential oils
- References
Ocimum gratissimum perennial basil
Other names
O. gratissimum is a common culinary herb in West Africa and is used by some in the Caribbean, going by many local names.
Seed germination
Seeds seem to need strong sunlight to germinate.
Pharmacology of extracts and essential oils
The essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum contains eugenol and shows some evidence of antibacterial activity. A polyherbal preparation of a water extract obtained from the leaves of Gongronema latifolia, Vernonia amygdalina and Ocimum gratissimum showed analgesic activity. The essential oil has potential for use as a food preservative, and is toxic to Leishmania. Extracts of the leaves are documented to possess antidiabetic properties, anti-hyperlipidemic effect and recently, it was shown to improve heamatological variables in experimental diabetes mellitus via its well reported antioxidant property.
