Scent leaf/Africa Basil leaf

African basil leaf(commonly known as scent leaf in West Africa)

Ocimum gratissimum, also known as clove basil, African basil, and in Hawaii as wild basil, is a species of Ocimum belonging to Lamiaceae family. The plant is native to tropical Africa, Madagascar, India, South East Asia and the Bismarck Archipelago.

African Basil consist of good amount of antibacterial, antifungal, larvicidal, and antipyretic activities that give it a noticeable role in the treatment and prevention of diseases and infections. African basil contain vital bioactive substances which discuss it with the above-mentioned activities including; tannins, phenols, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, and more, all of which are essential for human health. 

Health benefits of African basil leaves

1. Maintain eye health

African basil is rich in Vitamin A, which encourages good eyesight. Vitamin A is needed by the retina of the eyes in the form of retinal which combines with protein opsin to form rhodopsin, the light-absorbing molecule which is eventually necessary for both scotopic vision (low-light) and color vision.

Deficiency of vitamin A can be terrible for the eyes leading to xerophthalmia (a medical condition in which the eye fails to produce tears) and night blindness both of which are preventable when sufficient amounts of African basil are consumed.

2. Helps digestion

African basil can help relieve bloating and also help digest meals on time. Brewed African basil can have a calming effect on the stomach and help with bowel evacuation. Drinking African basil tea also relieves heartburn.

3. Lowers blood sugar

African basil has an extraordinary ability to lower blood sugar and protect the pancreatic islets that produce insulin from damage. Research studies conducted on mice showed that African basil were effective in lowering blood sugar levels.

Another randomized study equally showed a decrease in blood sugar levels in Non-Insulin Dependent (NID) Diabetes Mellitus patients after eating significant amounts of African basil.

4. Reduces inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to stimuli but prolonged inflammation may lead to cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and other metabolic diseases. Scientists have found that extracts of African basil may have important anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity on animal models.

5. Improves heart health

African basil consists of calcium and magnesium, both of which help to reduce bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and increase blood circulation. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterols increase the risk of Coronary Artery Disease in adults and so the intake of African basil can reduce this ever-present risk. Heart and artery problems resulting from the clogging of arteries are almost preventable if adequate amounts of African basil are consumed.

6. Treats fungal infections

Research has shown African basil to have antifungal activity against Penicillium chrysogenum, Candida albicans, and Microsporeum gyseum. Chloroform extracts from the leaves showed great antifungal activity against the fungal species mentioned. Therefore, African basil when crushed and smeared on skin infections, help in its treatment.

7. Treats Diarrhea

Ethanol and hot water extracts of African basil have been widely demonstrated to be effective against some pathogenic bacteria known to cause diarrhea including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella sp. and Salmonella sp. It is therefore conceivable that African basil can be brewed as tea to treat diarrhea caused by the above organisms.