Ocimum gratissimum
Introduction '''''Ocimum gratissimum''''', also known as '''clove basil''', '''African basil''', and in Hawaii as '''wild basil''', is a species of basil. It is native to Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and naturalized in Polynesia, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama, West Indies, Brazil, and Bolivia.
Other names ''O. gratissimum'' is a common culinary herb in West Africa and is used by some in the Caribbean, going by many local names, even in the Indian subcontinent. *'''Ebe-amwonkho''' in Edo*'''Tchayo''' in Fon*'''Dogosui''' in Ewe*'''Efirin''' in Yoruba*'''Tamwṍtswã́gi''' in Nupe*'''Nchanwu''' in Igbo*'''Kpan-sroh''' in (Irigwe language)*'''Añyeba''' in Igala*'''Daidoya''' in Hausa*'''Nchuanwu also Arimu''' in Igbo*'''Ntong''' in Ibibio, Efik*'''Kunudiri'''  in Kirikeni Okuein*'''Nunum''' in Akan*'''Nunu Bush''' in Jamaica (from the Akan language)*'''Yerba di holé''' in Papiamento*'''Fobazen''' in Haiti*'''Scent leaves''' in Nigeria (the standardised Nigerian English rendering) and in the African diaspora*'''Mujaaja''' in Uganda*'''Vaayinta (వాయింట)''' in Telugu*'''Maduruthala''' in Sri Lanka මදුරුතලා*'''Kattutulasi(കാട്ടുതുളസി),  Kattu Thrithaav (കാട്ടു തൃത്താവ്)''' in Kerala*'''Bai yeera''' in Thai ใบยี่หร่า*'''Rehani''' in Georgian რეჰანი*'''Van Tulsi (વન તુલસી)''' in Gujarati*'''Tomka leaf (তোমকা/তোমহা পাতা)''' in chittagoneon Bangla*'''Awromangnrin''' in Baoulé*'''Kungurekwu u tamen'' in Tiv*'''Nchuanwu''' in Igbo language*'''ደማከሴ (Demakese)''' in Ethiopia
Seed germination Seeds seem to need strong sunlight to germinate, although germination has been achieved even during an average UK summer.
Phytochemical compounds The phytochemicals present in ''Ocimum gratissimum''  contains polyphenols such as Gallic acid, Rosmanol, rosmarinic acid, flavonoids such as Nepetrin, Quercetin, Rutin,Catechin, and also alkaloids and terpenoids. Naringin, uteolin, Apigenin, Nepetoidin, Nevadensin, Hymenoxin,  Salvigenin, Apigenin, 7,4,′-dimethyl ether,  Basilimoside,  2alpha, 3 beta-Dihydroxyolean- 12en-28-oic acid, Methyl acetate, Oleanolic acid
Pharmacology of extracts and essential oils The essential oil of ''Ocimum gratissimum'' contains eugenol and shows some evidence of antibacterial activity. The essential oil has potential for use as a food preservative, and is toxic to ''Leishmania''.
Insect repellent ''O. gratissimum'' repels the thrips ''Thrips tabaci'', and so is a useful insect repellent in other crops.
References
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