African Basil

Scientific Name(s): Ocimum gratissimum L.
Common Name(s): African basil, Clove basil, East Indian basil, Nchanwu leaf, Russian basil, Shrubby basil, Tree basil, Wild basil (Hawaii)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 22, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

There are limited clinical data to support a place in therapy for O. gratissimum; however, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity has been demonstrated in vitro and in animal models. Potential applications in diabetes and hepatic and cardiovascular disease have been suggested, but there is no evidence to support these uses.

Dosing

Clinical trials are lacking to provide dosing recommendations for African basil.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. O. gratissimum may have abortifacient effects.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

None documented.

Toxicology

No data.

Scientific Family

• Lamiaceae (mint)

Botany

O. gratissimum is an aromatic, perennial plant native to Africa, Madagascar, and southern Asia. It grows up to 1 m in height, with multiple branches arising from its base. It has elliptic-lanceolate leaves that taper at both ends, and long, pale, white to pinkish flower spikes. Recognized synonyms for African basil include Ocimum suave and Ocimum viride Willd.Plants 2016, USDA 2016, Nweze 2009

Related plants include Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil), Ocimum canum (African mint), Ocimum campechianum (Amazonian basil), and Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum (holy basil).

History

Dried leaves of the plant are used for flavoring food and have traditionally been used to alleviate headache and fever, among other uses.Nweze 2009 The plant has traditionally been used in some African countries to induce abortion,Nikolajsen 2011 facilitate childbirth, and reduce associated pain.Attah 2012 It has also been used in the management of diabetes.Ejike 2013

Chemistry

Similar to other members of the Ocimum genus, O. gratissimum contains an essential oil, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, and other chemical constituents. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has been used to elucidate the constituents of the essential oil: eugenol and methyl eugenol, alpha and beta-caryophyllene, 1,8 cineole, methyl chavicol, carvacrol, linalool, thymol, limonene, gamma-terpinene, camphor, germacrene A, beta-ocimene, and cinnamyl acetate. Chemical composition varies with geographical location and environmental and genetic factors.Pandey 2014, Mahajan 2013

Uses and Pharmacology

Anti-inflammatory activity

In vitro and animal data

In models of respiratory allergy (in vitro experiments evaluating effects on airway epithelial cells, in vivo studies in rodents), O. gratissimum demonstrated effects on markers of inflammation, including interleukins, protein kinases, and leukocytes/eosinophils.Costa 2012, Jiao 2013

In mouse paw edema studies, ethanol and aqueous extracts of O. suave demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity.Masresha 2012 Limited studies in rodents suggest antinociceptive activity of O. gratissimum extracts and essential oil, which may be mediated through the opioid and endocannabino...