The genus origanum, native in europe, includes 15 to 20 species, chief among them being marjoram o. United states, dc, washington, usda ars national arboretum. Description issued as a pdf on the internet, it contains basic information on over 250 species of. Biological and pharmacological properties of the sweet. It acts principally on the digestive and nervous systems, easing flatulence, stomach cramps, colic and indigestion.
Sweet basil has been used for thousands of years as a culinary and medicinal herb. Genovese basil is a variety of sweet basil that originated in italy. Basil is commonly used in cooking to add a fresh, herbal. Genetics, plant breeding and seed production 481 identification and discrimination of ocimum basilicum l. It is universally cultivated as herbaceous, perennial plant but originated from asian continent. It forms the basis of pesto and adds a distinctive flavor. General description ocimum basilicum, commonly known as basil, is an aromatic annual herb and an important economic crop basil is an important economic crop producing annually c.
Ocimum basilicum sweet basil ocimum campechianum least basil ocimum canum hoary basil ocimum gratissimum african basil ocimum kilimandscharicum. It is in flower from august to september, and the seeds ripen in september. Basil also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family lamiaceae mints. The leaves of plant contain methylchaylcol, linalol, eugenol, thymol and xanthamicrol. The content of essential oil in the dried herb was high and varied from 0. In addition to direct use of the herb as spice, the essential oil of its leaves and flowers is increasingly used as aroma additive in food and cosmetic industry, and there are extensive efforts to enhance the yield of essential oil of o. Benefits of ocimum gratissimum scent or nchanwu or efirin leaf researchers show that the nchanwu extracts exhibit antifungal activities on all the fungi tested. Ocimum basilicum sweet basil, common basil, thai basil. Glandular hairs and essential oil in developing leaves of ocimum basilicum l. Manual in chemistry of soils and waters in serbian. The leaves are ovate, lanceolate, cucuminate, toothed or entire, glabrous on.
The leaves are its edible part, used in salads and pizza, as for the flowers they are aesethetically pleasing. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and uptodate information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in. Basil is the main ingredient of pesto sauce but is also used to flavor other sauces and soups. Researchers reveal that basil contains varieties of essential oils that are rich in polyphenolic and phenolic compounds such as flavonoids and anthocyanins.
It has dark or light green, leaves which are silky. Ocimum basilicum citriodorum plant information online. The best known species are the strongly aromatic herb ocimum basilicum thai basil and ocimum gratissimum african basil as well as the medicinal herb ocimum tenuiflorum, also known as ocimum sanctum holy basil or tulsi in hindi. Ocimum gratissimum is a variable, polymorphic species with many forms. Basil diseases and pests, description, uses, propagation. Itis taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. This particular genus in the family of the mints has been selected for his characteristics, particulary for his leaf size, flower color, physical appearance, and top of them aroma. Description a very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Thus the new name for the family labiatae became lamiaceae. It grows 12 36 inches in height and spreads up to 24 inches like a bushy shrub.
Sweet basil ocimum basilicum plays a role in many mediterranean, and particularly italian, cuisines. Ocimum basilicum definition of ocimum basilicum by the. The juice extracted from fresh leaves is folk medicine to treat respiratory disorders, fever, ear pain etc. Plant details information about ocimum basilicum plant. Identification and discrimination of ocimum basilicum l. Ocimum basilicum, popular known as basil or sweet basil, is a common herb that belongs to. Basil provides great benefits to both the mind and body due to its high linalool content, making it an ideal application to help reduce feelings of tension when. Pdf biomedical description of ocimum basilicum l researchgate. Ocimum basilicum synonyms, ocimum basilicum pronunciation, ocimum basilicum translation, english dictionary definition of ocimum basilicum. Basil has a high linalool content, making it an ideal application to diffuse for a calming and centering environment. Medicinal plant sweet basil ocimum basilicum sweet basil is a common medicinal herb and used in treatment of various diseases from time immemorial. Click below on a thumbnail map or name for species profiles. Sweet basil ocimum basilicum is a sunloving annual with highly aromatic leaves that has a pleasant spicy odor and taste somewhat like anise or cloves.
Product description basil has a warm, spicy, yet herbal aroma known to reduce anxious feelings. This article needs additional citations for verification. The study clearly indicated great variability of ocimum basilicum l. The plant is often grown as an annual, especially in cooler climates. It is medicinally used in case of diarrhea as well as hypoglycemic, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, immunestimulatory, and antiviral charvat et al. The genus is particularly diverse, and includes annuals, nonwoody perennials and shrubs native to africa and other tropical and subtropical regions of the old and new world. These leaves are 3 5 cm long and 1 3 cm wide,which are opposite to each other. Both the leaves and their essential oils are used as flavoring agents. The genus ocimum has a number of species that are used to treat different types of disorders and diseases from ancient times. Product description %dvlo has a warm, spicy, yet herbal aroma known to provide feelingv of calm and centeredness.
Ocimum basilicum has at least 60 varieties, which further complicates. Sweet basil ocimum basilicum kam kasturi herbs and spices of india. Flower description the flower has a superior ovary, and lacks a hypanthium. The species is hermaphrodite has both male and female organs and is pollinated by bees. Pdf the genus ocimum has a number of species that are used to treat di. Ocimum basilicum, commonly called basil, is a native of africa and asia. Media in category ocimum basilicum the following 200 files are in this category, out of 222 total. A very commonly used herb with a range of culinary and medicinal applications. Ocimum basilicum, commonly called basil, or sweet basil, is an annual plant of the ocimum genus belonging to the lamiaceae family. Ovate or lanceolate leaves, opposite till 5 cm long, long petiolated, darker above very odorous flowers grouped in spikes, loose verticils with 6 flowers each calyx with 6 lobes, edgeciliated. Description issued as a pdf on the internet, it contains basic information on over 250 species of plants used for food in benin. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources.
The international herb society has designated basil as the herb of the year 2003. It is grown for essential oil production primarily in france, hungary, moroccco, spain, the us, and madagascar, though some is now grown and distilled in australia. Study of pharmacological effect of ocimum basilicum. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Ocimum basilicum citriodorum ocimum basilicum citriodorum scientific name. Ocimum basilicum, also known as sweet basil, common basil, european basil, and french basil, is a common culinary annual herb native to india, africa, and asia. Tradition has it that basil was found growing around christs tomb after the resurrection, and consequently, some greek orthodox churches use it to prepare holy water and pots of basil are set below church altars. Ocimum basilicum is an erect, almost glabrous herb, which grows to between 30 and 90 cm high. Ocimum basilicum po 3duw 1xpehu 60205808 diffusion.
Nchanwu plants are of high importance to the health of individuals and the society at large. Pdf on feb 9, 2016, irshad hussain and others published biomedical description of ocimum basilicum l find, read and cite all the research. Basil leaves possess strong antiviral, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in them due to the presence of compounds such as ethanol. Sweet basil ocimum basilicum the most common of the basils and the most often used, sweet basil has a pleasant clovelike flavor that is pungent, strong and slightly spicy. Sweet basil ocimum basilicum will grow to a size of 12 feet in height. Ocimum basilicum, also called great basil or saintjosephswort 1, is of family lamiaceae 2 mints. It needs sun, water and a neutral to alkaline soil in order to survive. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. Ocimum basilicum annual or perennial of tropical asia having spikes of small white flowers and aromatic leaves.
It contains wide variety of constituents of medicinal importance. Basil, ocimum basilicum, is a short lived annual or perennial plant in the family lamiaceae grown for its leaves which are used as a herb. Medicinal plant sweet basil ocimum basilicum bimbima. The plants database includes the following 6 species of ocimum. Ocimum basilicum is an erect, muchbranched, perennial, aromatic plant growing 20 80cm tall. Ocimum basilicum is a fast growing tender herb which grows best in tropical warm climates and is perennial. Ocimum basilicum basil, sweet basil ocimum basilicum is a herb, native to europe, middle africa, southern africa, southern asia, southeastern asia. All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the creative commons cc0 license. Basil essential oil ocimum basilicum therapeutic quality. Depending on the species and cultivar, the leaves may taste somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent, often sweet smell.
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