Ocimum Gratissimum

Ocimum Gratissimum is an herb used in making anti-bacterial medicines. Belonging to Lamiaceae family and Ocimum genus this herb mainly grows in India, Africa and parts of South-East Asia. It is a home grown plant and is also commercially cultivated. It is known as Vana Tulsi in India. The plant bears essential oil in its leaves and stems which is extracted to make several medicinal substitutes.

Ocimum Gratissimum

Table of Contents

Table Of Content

Table of Contents

Ocimum Gratissimum Common Names

This herb is commonly known by names such as African Basil, Clove Basil and Wild Basil in Hawaii. Some of its other common names are Menthe gabonaise, Basilic sauvage and Basilic in French. It is called tree basil and shrubby basil in English, Gros baume, Tolsi and Baumier in French-Reunion.

Ocimum Gratissimum Description

These perennial plants are woody at the base.

Height: The plant are found to grow somewhere around 1-3 metres in height.

Stem: Stems of these plants are dark brown in color bearing leaves from top to bottom.

Leaves: The leaves are narrow and oval in shape growing 5-13 cm in length and have 3-9 cm width. The leaves are green in color.

Flowers: The flowers are pale yellow in color.

Picture 1 – Ocimum Gratissimum

Smell: The plants give out a sweet scent of camphor.

Ocimum Gratissimum Distribution

The plant grows widely in tropical Africa. It is also grown in South-East Asia, largely in India and Hawaii. The native areas of the plant are mostly found to be regions that are 1500 m above sea level. The plant also grows well in lake shores, coastal bush lands and in sub-montane regions.

Ocimum Gratissimum Cultivation

These plants are aromatic perennial herbs which go through several variations in cultivation to attain improved growth.

Growing Condition

Soil: This plant requires well drained soil like the delta regions.

Sunlight: It grows well in full exposure of sun.

Climate: The summer temperatures are good for the plants. They grow in sea level lands as well as in altitudes of 1500 m above sea level.

How to Grow

These herbs grow mostly on stem cuttings. Seedlings can be transplanted between February to March or from May to August. In stem cutting procedure it usually takes 28 days for the plant to form roots.

This tree produces for 5 to 10 years.

Harvest

Right time to harvest is when 3 branches appear on each plant or 75% of all branches start to flower. The leaves should be harvested at 2 inches and when essential oils concentrate the most. Care must be taken while harvesting as the oils are volatile and so morning time is best.

Picture 2 – Ocimum Gratissimum Photo

Ocimum Gratissimum Health Benefits

The herbs possess qualities greatly beneficial for the health.

The plant extracts can be used in relaxing intestinal muscles.
The herbaceous plant has anti-nociceptive effects.
It is effective in reducing blood glucose.
It can reduce diabetes.
It is helpful in preventing convulsions and seizures.

Ocimum Gratissimum Nutritional Value

Certain hybrids of this plant were studied and their nutritional values were assessed.

Nutrient	Value
Crude alkaloids	10.44% to 14.32%
Crude Flavonoids	9.28 to 12.54%
Carbohydrate	66.24% to 75.87%
Crude protein	9.19% to 17.94%
Ash	5.68% to 6.88%
Food Energy	357.68 to 373.26 mg/cal
Crude Fibre	4.88 to 9.04%
Crude Lipid	3.48 to 4.90%)

Ocimum Gratissimum Uses

The leaves and roots of the herb have several medicinal, culinary and other applications that are greatly beneficial for humans.

Picture 3 – Ocimum Gratissimum Seeds

Edible Uses

The strong aroma of the leaves is used in flavouring soups.
It is used as a flavour in spicing meat products.
Components of this herb are used in producing mosquito/insect repellents.

Medicinal Uses

The plant has anticonvulsant qualities which can be utilised for treating convulsive disorders.
Traditionally the herb is used to treat diarrhea.
It has anti-malaria components that are used in treating the disease.
Several tonics are produced from these herbs and used in treating as skin infections, bronchitis and conjunctivitis.
Antiseptics are produced from the herb that treats well in dressing wounds.
Crushed leaves are extracted to form remedies for cough.
The plant roots act as sedatives for children.

Other Uses

‘Ocimum tea’ is an infused form of the herb used in treating fever and diaphoresis.
The volatile oil acts as a good antimicrobial agent.

Ocimum Gratissimum During Pregnancy

It is best to avoid this herb during pregnancy. In some cases consumption of its extract has led to intrauterine or cervical infections in pregnant women. The stem of the plant has ability to terminate pregnancy.

Storing Ocimum Gratissimum

The herbs are best stored in freezer bags for long term use. One can chop off the leaves and run them under the food processor before placing them in frozen ice cube trays. Once they turn solid vacuum sealed bags can be used in storing the herbs.

Thawed herbs can be used round the year by using a drop or two in sauces and soups.

Ocimum Gratissimum Side Effects

There are some lesser known side effects seen in the herb. Some drugs containing this herb are seen showing activity in vitro towards C. neoformans and also works against some bacteria and dermatophytes.

The oil has been reported to have heightened hypotensive effects. Cardiovascular side effects ranged around dose-induced bradycardia.

Ocimum Gratissimum Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about this medicinal herb.

The plant bears its essential oil in the stems and leaves.
They are used in numerous drugs and medicinal components.
It prevents cough, wounds, convulsions, seizures and many other chronic diseases.
It is home grown as well as cultivated commercially.
Antiseptics are produced from this herb.