Aeollanthus suaveolens
Aeollanthus suaveolens, commonly known as Sweet Basil or Wild Basil, is a versatile medicinal herb cherished in traditional healing. Renowned for its aromatic properties, this plant offers significant therapeutic benefits, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. It serves as a vital natural remedy for treating various respiratory and digestive ailments.
- Scientific name: Aeollanthus suaveolens
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, it is specifically classified under the genus Aeollanthus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Aeollanthus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Aeollanthus suaveolens, is known by various names across different linguistic and regional contexts. In English, it is frequently referred to as peppermint spike or aromatic aeollanthus, reflecting its distinctive scent. Within the Indian subcontinent, it is commonly called tulsi (specifically referring to the aromatic variety) in Hindi, while it is known as karu-valli in Tamil and kattu-tulsi in Telugu. In other local dialects, it may also be identified as amrit in Sanskrit, highlighting its traditional status in herbal medicine.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant, Aeollanthus suaveolens, exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in the countries of Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria. Its range also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Burundi. Additionally, the species is present within the borders of the Central African Republic. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various tropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Equatorial Guinea | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Aeollanthus suaveolens, is highly valued in traditional medicine primarily for its aromatic properties, which are concentrated within its essential oil. This essential oil is extracted from the plant's volatile-rich foliage and serves as the main source of its therapeutic compounds. Due to the presence of this oil, the plant exhibits a strong, pleasant fragrance and possesses potent antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antispasmodic qualities that are utilized in various medicinal applications.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| essential oil | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Aeollanthus suaveolens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include gamma-decanolactone.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gamma-decanolactone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Aeollanthus suaveolens has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant, Sedative.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sedative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |