African Basil
Ocimum gratissimum subsp. gratissimum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Extensive (181 studies) · ★★★★☆
African Basil, scientifically known as Ocimum gratissimum subsp. gratissimum, is a versatile aromatic shrub native to tropical Africa. Renowned for its distinct spicy fragrance, this medicinal powerhouse is used in traditional healing to treat respiratory ailments, digestive issues, and skin infections, offering potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Leaf · Stem
- Common names
- African Basil
- Scientific synonyms
- Ocimum Superbum · Ocimum Gratissimum Var. Hildebrandtii · 19 more
Names
Common Names
- African Basil
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Ocimum gratissimum subsp. gratissimumSynonyms
- Ocimum superbum
- Ocimum gratissimum var. hildebrandtii
- Ocimum gratissimum var. mascarenarum
- Ocimum gratissimum var. suave
- Ocimum suave var. distantidens
- Ocimum gratissimum var. subdentatum
- Geniosporum discolor
- Ocimum heptodon
- Ocimum guineense
- Ocimum febrifugum
- Ocimum arborescens
- Ocimum dalabaense
- Ocimum holosericeum
- Ocimum petiolare
- Ocimum robustum
- Ocimum sericeum
- Ocimum suave
- Ocimum trichodon
- Ocimum viride
- Ocimum viridiflorum
- Ocimum zeylanicum
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, it is a member of the family Lamiaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Ocimum as the subspecies Ocimum gratissimum subsp. gratissimum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ocimum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several key regions across the Atlantic and African continents. Within the Macaronesian islands, its presence is specifically noted in Cape Verde. Moving to the mainland, it is widely distributed across West Tropical Africa. In this region, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Benin, Burkina, and Gambia. Furthermore, its range extends through the coastal territories of Ghana.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Holy Basil or Clove Basil, possesses distinct morphological features across its various structures. The leaves are typically ovate or lanceolate, characterized by a strong, aromatic scent and a slightly hairy texture that contains essential oils. The stem-leaf arrangement often shows a square-shaped stem characteristic of the Lamiaceae family, with leaves emerging in opposite pairs along the length of the stalk. Finally, the plant produces terminal inflorescences, which consist of small, delicate flowers clustered in spikes that emerge from the upper portions of the stems.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Journal of parasitology research (and other 4 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stem | Chemistry & biodiversity (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ocimum gratissimum subsp. gratissimum has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include eugenol, BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE, BETA-PINENE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, EO.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| eugenol | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BETA-PINENE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BETA-SITOSTEROL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| EO | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Glycosides | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| LINALYL ACETATE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Linalol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Methyl eugenol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| OLEANOLIC ACID | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
eugenol
- Dr. Duke
- Chemistry & biodiversity
BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE
- Dr. Duke
BETA-PINENE
- Dr. Duke
BETA-SITOSTEROL
- Dr. Duke
EO
- Dr. Duke
Glycosides
- Journal of parasitology research
LINALYL ACETATE
- Dr. Duke
Linalol
- Dr. Duke
Methyl eugenol
- Dr. Duke
OLEANOLIC ACID
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Ocimum gratissimum subsp. gratissimum has 154 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antipyretic, Abortifacient, Acaricide, Allergenic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antimalarial | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Abortifacient | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acaricide | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Androgenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anesthetic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Angiogenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anorexic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| extracts | Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| An oil extracted from the leaves | Experimental & applied acarology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous and ethanol extracts | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous extract | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| burning of herbal plants | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | British microbiology research journal (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanol extracts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | Journal of parasitology research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |