African Nunum Basil, scientifically known as Ocimum gratissimum, is also known as clove basil or scent-leaf in parts of Africa. "Nunum" is its common name in Ghana. It is a species of basil with a rich history of culinary and medicinal applications.
Ocimum gratissimum
Description and Characteristics
This huge-leaved basil features a slightly spicy oregano taste. It grows from 20-40 cm tall. These tender perennials are native to sunny, warm Mediterranean climates and will not withstand frost. It is a good idea to vary where you plant your basil each year, because basil is susceptible to fungal diseases that accumulate in soil over time. Water regularly and provide good drainage. Don’t plant outdoors until late May.
Culinary Uses
African Nunum Basil is a versatile herb widely used in various cuisines. It makes great pesto and is delicious in salads, soups, pastas, vinegars, and jellies as well as in many African and Asian dishes.
It is often used in African cuisine to flavor soups, stews, and teas. Great for tea, pesto, salads, and dressings. Remove flowers for best-tasting leaves, or keep them to feed the bees and butterflies.
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Basil is commonly used in foods
Medicinal Properties and Traditional Uses
African Nunum Basil has a history of use in medicine. It is used in traditional medicine as well as cooking. It also has traditional medicinal uses, such as treating colds, stomach issues, and infections.
Holy basil is a component of many different areas of herbal medicine due to its healing properties. People have used holy basil for thousands of years for its healing properties, including mental and physical benefits.
Ocimum gratissimum, also known as clove basil, African basil,[1] and in Hawaii as wild basil,[2] is a species of basil. O. Catechin, and also alkaloids and terpenoids. O. ^ PLANTS Profile for Ocimum gratissimum | USDA Plants, Retrieved Jan. ^ Ocimum gratissimum - Wild Basil (Lamiaceae). ^ a b c Faluyi, Olufunke (2020). "The medicinal values of scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum)". The Punch. ^ "Plant list". Archived from the original on 2023-06-25. ^ Influence of light, temperature and gibberellic acid on the germination of Ocimum gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae) seeds and evaluation of physiological quality by the X-ray test Martins J.R., Alvarenga A.A., Castro E.M., Batista L.A., Silva A.P.O. ^ Islam, Md. Torequl; de Alencar, Marcus Vinícius Oliveira Barros; da Conceição Machado, Katia; da Conceição Machado, Keylla; de Carvalho Melo-Cavalcante, Ana Amélia; de Sousa, Damiao Pergentino; de Freitas, Rivelilson Mendes (2015). "Phytol in a pharma-medico-stance". Chemico-Biological Interactions. 240. Elsevier BV: 60-73. doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2015.07.010. ISSN 0009-2797. PMID 26296761. S2CID 29821324.Venuprasad, M.P.; Kumar Kandikattu, Hemanth; Razack, Sakina; Khanum, Farhath (May 2014). "Phytochemical analysis of Ocimum gratissimum by LC-ESI-MS/MS and its antioxidant and anxiolytic effects". South African Journal of Botany. 92: 151-158. ^ Chemical composition, antibacterial activity in vitro and brine-shrimp toxicity of the essential oil from inflorescences of Ocimum gratissimum L., Lamiaceae Silva L.L., Heldwein C.G., Reetz L.G.B., Hörner R., Mallmann C.A., Heinzmann B.M. ^ Celso Vataru Nakamura, Tania Ueda-Nakamura, Erika Bando, Abrahão Fernandes Negrão Melo, Díogenes Aparício Garcia Cortez, Benedito Prado Dias Filho, "Antibacterial Activity of Ocimum gratissimum L. Essential Oil", Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Vol. ^ Justification for the use of Ocimum gratissimum L in herbal medicine and its interaction with disc antibiotics Nweze E.I., Eze E.E. ^ Nutritional and antimicrobial properties of Ocimum gratissimum leaves Oboh F.O.J., Madsodje H.I., Enabulele S.A. ^ Food preservative potential of essential oils and fractions from Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum gratissimum and Thymus vulgaris against mycotoxigenic fungi Nguefack J., Dongmo J.B.L., Dakole C.D., Leth V., Vismer H.F., Torp J., Guemdjom E.F.N., Mbeffo M., Tamgue O., Fotio D., Zollo P.H.A., Nkengfack A.E. ^ Effects of essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf., Lippia sidoides Cham., and Ocimum gratissimum L. on growth and ultrastructure of Leishmania chagasi promastigotes Oliveira V.C.S., Moura D.M.S., Lopes J.A.D., De Andrade P.P., Da Silva N.H., Figueiredo R.C.B.Q. ^ Kirk, William D. J.; de Kogel, Willem Jan; Koschier, Elisabeth H.; Teulon, David A. J. (2021-01-07). "Semiochemicals for Thrips and Their Use in Pest Management". Annual Review of Entomology. 66 (1). Annual Reviews: 101-119. doi:10.1146/annurev-ento-022020-081531. ISSN 0066-4170. PMID 33417819. Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Ocimum gratissimum". African plants - a Photo Guide.
A 2023 review suggests that holy basil provides a range of health benefits and has the following medicinal properties:
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- antioxidant properties
- anticancer properties
- antimicrobial properties
- antidiabetic properties
The herb may also help:
- with wound healing
- to counteract stress
- protect the liver
- reduce inflammation
- protect against radiation
It also contains chemicals that might help reduce inflammation, kill bacteria and fungi, and reduce symptoms in the stomach.
Important Note: It’s important to note that the above review is largely based on animal or in vitro studies, and no high quality studies demonstrate that holy basil is effective in treating any health condition.
Benefits of Holy Basil
How to Use African Nunum Basil
Begin harvesting leaves when the plant is about 6-8 inches tall. While it is a hardy plant, occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer or compost every 2-4 weeks will improve its growth and leaf production.
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There are many ways to use holy basil, depending on a person’s reason for using it. For example, people can try:
- making tea from the leaves
- consuming the seeds or leaves
- using oil from the seeds
- taking supplements in the form of capsules or pills
People mainly use holy basil for herbal tea. To make this, add hot water to dried leaves and leave to brew for 1 to 2 minutes.
People can take the oil from holy basil seeds orally or apply it to their hair and other external parts of the body. Additionally, they can extract essential oil from holy basil and use it in diffusers or candles, among other options.
Holy basil can come in capsule or pill form. The directions for use vary depending on the quantity of holy basil in the supplement. People should always follow the advice on the label or speak to a health professional.
Important Note: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs. For this reason, they recommend seeking medical advice before taking any dietary supplement. A healthcare professional can advise on dosage and whether or not the supplement is appropriate based on a person’s medical history.
The African basil or Clove basil. A plant for good health.
Precautions and Potential Side Effects
As with all supplements, people should take precautions when using the herb for health purposes.Importantly, people should avoid combining holy basil with pharmaceutical medications without first checking with a healthcare professional.
A 2017 systematic review of the scientific literature on holy basil found no sign of side effects from taking the herb. However, it is important to note that the authors reviewed studies that used holy basil as part of a multi-herb formula, rather than being the sole active ingredient. Therefore, the lack of side effects may not solely be attributed to holy basil but to the other herbs in the formula.
Alternatively, a 2020 review suggested that taking excessive amounts of holy basil may cause the following adverse effects:
- It may affect fetal development during pregnancy.
- The ursolic acid content may affect the menstrual cycle.
- It may reduce blood sugar to a dangerously low level, particularly for people with diabetes.
- It may reduce the function of the male reproductive glands, affecting fertility.
Additionally, eugenol - which is an active compound present in holy basil - may cause the following symptoms:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- a rapid heartbeat
- liver damage
For example, the herb may decrease the efficacy of thyroid hormone drugs and increase the risk of bleeding in people taking anticoagulation drugs. Animal studies also suggest that holy basil enhances the sedative effect of barbiturates. It is not recommended for people who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or nursing.
Consult a doctor if side effects emerge when taking holy basil for health purposes.
