African Basil

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African Basil

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• 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

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Ocimum gratissimum subsp. gratissimum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of parasitology research
2. British microbiology research journal
3. Experimental & applied acarology
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

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.

eugenol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Glycosides

1. Journal of parasitology research

LINALYL ACETATE

1. Dr. Duke

Linalol

1. Dr. Duke

Methyl eugenol

1. Dr. Duke

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. 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.

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antipyretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Ocimum gratissimum subsp. gratissimum has 9 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts, An oil extracted from the leaves, aqueous and ethanol extracts, aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves, aqueous extract.

Extracts

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

An oil extracted from the leaves

1. Experimental & applied acarology

Aqueous and ethanol extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Burning of herbal plants

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Essential oils

1. British microbiology research journal

Ethanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaves

1. Journal of parasitology research