Ocimum gratissimum is a plant that grows naturally in tropical parts of Africa and Asia. It is also called scent leaf or African basil. It is grown and used in many places around the world because it has medicinal and cooking uses. Scent leaf is known for its sweet, pungent aroma and spicy, slightly bitter flavor, and it is often used to add flavor to dishes such as stews, soups, and sauces.
In addition to its culinary uses, scent leaf is also valued for its medicinal properties. It is high in nutrients such as calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin A, and it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial effects. The oil extracted from scent leaf is also believed to have antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
Scent Leaves is called “Efinrin“ by Yoruba people, in Igbo it is called Nchuawun, while it is called “Daidoya” in Hausa
Health Benefits of Scent Leaves (Ocimum gratissimum)
1. Aid digestion
The use of scent leaves can alleviate bloating and also assist the body digest the food . The ingestion of brew scent leaves has been shown to both facilitate the evacuation of the bowels and to have a relaxing effect on the stomach. Consuming scent leaves tea is another method for relieving heartburn symptoms.
2. Fever and malaria treatment
If you’ve been looking for a natural treatment for malaria or fever, then scent leaf may be the answer you’ve been looking for all along. Malaria and other conditions associated with it have been treated locally with it for thousands of years, and despite the passage of time, it has not lost its effectiveness.
Utilizing scent leaf is quite simple and easy. All that is required of you is to make tea out of the leaves and consume it while it is still hot.
3. Controls blood sugar level
There are several positive effects that scent leaf have on one’s health when used medicinally. Because it includes calcium and magnesium, it can assist in lowering the level of sugar in the blood. Scent leaf protects the insulin-producing islets in the body. In addition to this, it removes excess cholesterol that is toxic from the body, which in turn allows the heart to work correctly.
4. Promotes eyes health
Scent leaf has a lot of Vitamin A, which is good for your eyes. In the form of retinal, vitamin A is needed by the retina of the eye. Retinal combines with the protein opsin to make rhodopsin, a light-absorbing molecule that is needed for both low-light and color vision.
If you don’t get enough vitamin A, it can be bad for your eyes. This can lead to xerophthalmia, a condition in which the eye doesn’t make tears, and night blindness, both of which can be avoided by eating enough scent leaves.
5. Promotes heart health
Some research suggests that scent leaves may have beneficial effects on heart health, including the ability to lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels.
6. Rice in antioxidant properties
Scent leaves contain antioxidants, which are compounds that help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants may help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
7. Treatment of diarrheal
Some bacteria that cause diarrhea can be killed by extracts from scent leaf. So, it might be possible to make a tea out of scent leaves and use it to treat diarrhea.
8. Promotes respiratory health
Scent leaves may help to support respiratory health and may be used to treat respiratory infections and other respiratory conditions.
9. Sedative and anxiolytic effects
Some research suggests that scent leaves may have sedative and anxiolytic effects, which may help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
10. Promotes oral hygiene
Scent leaves, also known as Ocimum gratissimum, have a number of medicinal properties that can be used to support oral health and treat throat conditions. The stem of the plant, when used as a chewing stick, has been shown to kill bacteria in the mouth and help to freshen breath. It may also help to prevent tooth decay.
In addition, tea made from the leaves of scent leaves can be taken as a tonic or used as a gargle to treat sore throat and other throat conditions. These properties make scent leaves a useful natural remedy for supporting oral and throat health.
11. Food preservatives
Scent leaves are known for their antimicrobial properties, which may help to inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. Because the extracts of scent leaves are plant-based, they may be used as a natural alternative to traditional chemical preservatives in food.
The ethanol extract of scent leaves has been shown to be effective at preventing food spoilage caused by bacteria and fungi, making it a potentially healthier and cheaper alternative to other preservatives.
Overall, the antimicrobial properties of scent leaves make them a useful natural option for preserving food and preventing spoilage.
