Ocimum × africanum
Ocimum × africanum, commonly known as African basil, is a versatile medicinal plant prized in traditional healing. Belonging to the Lamiaceae family, this aromatic herb possesses potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is widely utilized to treat respiratory ailments, digestive issues, and skin infections, offering significant therapeutic potential.
- Scientific name: Ocimum × africanum
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Ocimum.
| 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 broad geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted in Guinea. Moving toward the center of the continent, it is found within West-Central Tropical Africa in both Cameroon and the DR Congo. The species also reaches into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it inhabits Ethiopia. Finally, its range extends to East Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Kenya.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
Chemicals
Ocimum × africanum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3',4',5',5,7-Pentamethoxyflavone, Laciniatin, Sinensetin.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 3',4',5',5,7-Pentamethoxyflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Laciniatin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sinensetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ocimum × africanum has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ocimum × africanum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, inflammation.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |