Ocimum basilicum
Content
Description
Very aromatic, lemon-scented, erect, branched herb, 0.5-1 m.
Leaves membranaceous, ovate or elliptic-ovate, 3-5 by 1.2-2 cm, acute, base cuneate, entire, margin elsewhere entire or few-toothed, glabrescent or hairy;
Distribution
Asia-Tropical, Old World tropics present
Throughout the Old World tropics and throughout Malesia.
Uses
Widely used as a condiment. As of O. americanum the nutlets, which swell and become gelatinous in water, are added to cool sweet drinks. They are said to have stimulant, diuretic and demulcent properties. They are also used as an aphrodisiac, for gonorrhoea, diarrhoea, dysentery and constipation. They are especially prescribed in eye sores. Flowers are said to be a remedy for coughs of children.
Leaves are used in a decoction as a carminative and stimulant and as a remedy for coughs, in washing ulcers, and for hiccups. Roots are used for bowel complaints of children and as a febrifuge.
Flowers of the purple-flowered variety are sometimes deposited on tomb-stones and in offerings. A sacred plant in Hindu religion (tulsi), no doubt derived from its manyfold use.
Oils of selasih are used in perfumes; in Java the variety with citrus-scent is estimated (). There is also a form with a fennel scent.
Leaves are used in a decoction as a carminative and stimulant and as a remedy for coughs, in washing ulcers, and for hiccups. Roots are used for bowel complaints of children and as a febrifuge.
Flowers of the purple-flowered variety are sometimes deposited on tomb-stones and in offerings. A sacred plant in Hindu religion (tulsi), no doubt derived from its manyfold use.
Oils of selasih are used in perfumes; in Java the variety with citrus-scent is estimated (). There is also a form with a fennel scent.
Notes
Recently MORTON () pointed out that O. basilicum differs but little from O. americanum (= O. canum) except in size, though the latter is more hairy. These differences are obviously also expressed in chromosome numbers, W. African material of O. americanum having 2n = 24 and O. basilicum 2n = 48.
H. MARZELL wrote an extensive history of basil ().
H. MARZELL wrote an extensive history of basil ().
Citation
HEND. 1950: p. 395. – In: Mal. Nat. J.: f. 365
Koord. 1912 – In: Exk. Fl. Java: 158
CHALFIN. 1962: Gard. J.: 87
LINNE 1918: Sp. Blanc.: 340
LINNE 1923 – In: En. Philip.: 421
KENG 1969 – In: Gard. Bull. Sing.: 127
BLANCO 1878: p. 254. – In: Fl. Filip., ed. 3: t. 407
Hook.f. 1885 – In: Fl. Br. Ind.: 608
BLANCO 1878 – In: Fl. Filip., ed. 3: 256
KUDO 1929 – In: Mem. Fac. Sc. & Agr. Taihoku Un.: 113
BARTLETT 1926 – In: Pap. Mich. Ac. Sc.: 35
WEHRHAHN 1952 – In: Pareys, Blumengârten, (ed. Bonstedt), 2: 312
Ridl. 1923 – In: Fl. Mai. Pen.: 634
Miq. 1858 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat.: 937
LINNE 1917: Int. Rumph.: 460
BACK. 1931: Onkr. Suiker.: 573
QUIS. 1951: Medic. Pl. Philip.: 824
LINNE 1848 – In: DC., Prod. 12: 32
BACK. & BAKH. f. 1965 – In: Fl. Java: 639
PURSEGLOVE 1968 – In: Trop. Crops: 636
Bl. 1823: Cat.: 83
Merr. 1912: Fl. Manila: 407
BURM. f. 1768: Fl. Ind.: 129
BLANCO 1845: Fl. Filip., ed. 2: 335
PRAIN 1907 – In: J. As. Soc. Beng.: 702
BURK. 1935: Dict.: 1571
BTH. 1832: Lab. Gen. Sp.: 4
LINNE 1826: Bijdr.: 832
Merr. 1908 – In: Philip. J. Sc.: Bot. 433