Scent leaves has antibacterial activity against Saphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli. It is also have antifungal activity against Penicillium notatum, Candida albicans, Microsporeum gyseum. And the last, larvicides activity against houseflies and mosquitoes, and other insects.

Ocimum gratissimum, also known as clove basil, African basil,and in Hawaii as wild basil,is a species of Ocimum. 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 are:

Tchayo in Fon [Benin]

Efinrin in Yoruba

Daidoya in Hausa

Nchuawu in Igbo

Ntonng in Ibibio

Fobazen in haiti

Kunudiri in Okrika

Yerba di holé in Papiamento

Nunum in Akan

Nchanwu or scent leaf, which is botanically known as Ocimum gratissimum is a tropical plant species that belongs to the family of Labiatae. This is a home grown shrub used mainly as spices for cooking delicacies due to its unique aromatic taste.

Scent leaf is originally from Africa, the Bismarck Archipelago, Asia and Madagascar before spreading to other parts of the world such as Bolivia, Polynesia, Panama, West Indies, Hawaii, Mexico and Brazil.

Nchanwu is a perennial plant that is common in Asia and Africa. African countries like Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroun use Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. Each Nigerian tribe has different name for scent leaf such as; the Ibibio call it Ntonng, Yoruba call it Efinrin, Hausa call it Daidoya while the or Igbo tribe call it Nchanwu. The use of nchanwu leaf as a herbal medicine has played and continues to play a prominent role in the treatment of certain ailments and diseases.

These vital bioactive substances include; tannis, oligosaccharides, phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids.

In Congo, scent leaf decoction is used for diarrhoea, gonorrhoea infection, vaginal douches for vaginitis and used in treatment of mental illness.

Extracts of scent leaves has also been reported to have lowered blood pressure, strong insect repellent effects and kill many micro-organisms that cause diseases, including candida

Studies show that the extracts of nchanwu plant (O. gratissimum) contain anti-fungal properties.

Health Benefits Of Scent Leaf

 

1. COUGH AND PHLEGM LAXATIVE

obtained by squeezing the leaves to remove fluid (or an extract of leaves of Scent). Then take the extract and brew it with hot water. after that drinks at your child or yourself. With drinking extracts Scent leaves water regularly, then your cough will subside gradually.

2. FEVER MALARIA

Scent leaves contain an effective antipyretic substance to reduce fever and cure malaria. To get this benefit, you can brew Scent leaves as tea if youre a tea drinkers. Drink it while still warm.

3. INDIGESTION

Drink brewing scent leaves as tea able to treat digestive problems such as diarrhea, mules, such as in the stomach and others. The content of the essence in the Scent leaves have a calming effect and cools the stomach.

4. LOWERING BLOOD SUGAR 

These plants are also able to prevent cancer and reduce cholesterol. In diabetes mellitus, especially non-insulin dependent (NID diabetes), Scent may lower blood sugar levels and protect the pancreas cells that produce insulin from damage.

Randomized study in 1996 showed a decrease in blood sugar levels after eating are significant an at the NID-DM patients. According to research conducted on mice, the content of ethanol in mint efficacious lowering blood sugar levels. Another finding was awesome, that Scent able to protect body tissue from damage caused by radiation.

5. RELIEVE HEARTBURN

Scent leaves tea is useful for curing heartburn, coughing, feeling unwell, menstrual pain, fever, malaria, respiratory problems, constipation, appetite enhancer, nausea, postpartum treatments, cleansers and boosters heart.

6. KILLING BACTERIA (ANTISEPTIC)

The content that contained in the leaves of Scent effective for killing germs. You should take 15 slice of Scent leaves, boiled in two cups boiling water into the remaining one cup. Use boiled water for antiseptic.

7. FACILITATE MILK

If you have any problems with the smooth milk, eat Scent leaves to stimulate milk production. Take twenty leagues grams of Scent leaves, use as fresh vegetables when eating.

8. GETTING RID OF FLIES AND MOSQUITOES

Contained in the fragrant aroma Scent leaves did not like by mosquitoes or flies. So if you want to repel mosquitoes or flies, keep the Scent leaves in a pot in the house.

9. REDUCE NICOTINE

Benefits of Scent leaves the latter is to help eliminate and repair the damage caused by smoking. Smokers must consume Scent leaves. Other Scent benefits can also reduce stress, prevent diabetes and kidney stone disease. Wind laxative (carminativa) contains mint like Scent.

10. IMPROVE THE BOIL

Health Benefits of Scent leaves could imprve the boil. To ripen boils, you can take advantage of Scent leaves. Use Scent leaves to taste, squeeze together with the oil then put on to a boil.

11. GASTROENTERITIS

As anti-inflammatory Scent has the same effectiveness as aspirin and ibuprofen. It is profitable. Scent is also not irritate the stomach. That’s because in this herb, there are more elements to prevent injury in the body.

12. HEALTHY FOR THE HEART

Especially for adults, Scent leaves helps to prevent disease and heart problems. Every 100 grams of fresh Scent leaves have 33 grams of protein. In addition to protein, Scent also contains magnesium which helps reduce bad cholesterol and increase blood circulation. The benefits of Scent to help stabilize blood is blood circulation.

13. MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF THE EYES AND MOUTH

Scent leaf is very rich in vitamin A. As we know vitamin A can cope with various types of eye infections, conjunctivitis, eye soothing stress and also for the prevention of night blindness and other vision problems. In addition Scent leaves also be used to eliminate bad breath.

14. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Scent plant has anti-inflammatory properties in it. These herbs help to treat arthritis. Scent also contains calcium that can help increase bone density and prevent diseases of the bone such as osteoporosis.

15. COSMETIC FRAGRANCES

Crushed Scent leaves of fragrant essential oils that can be used as a fragrance cosmetic and horticultural crops decoy fruit flies. Scent essential oil containing methyl eugenol, eugenol, cineol, linalol and terpineol.

16. FERTILITY PROBLEMS

Scent leaves was not only useful as part of the fresh vegetables that delicious eaten with chilli sauce and chicken or fried fish, but Scent also has benefits for male and female sexual organs. The compounds in Scent can overcome the problem of premature ejaculation in men. The content epigenin fenkhona and eugenol in Scent can facilitate erection. Additionally, arginine substances contained in the Scent can strengthen sperm vitality and prevent infertility.

17. HIGH IN VITAMIN A, CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS

Scent including vegetables that rich in provitamin A. Each 100 grams of Scent leaves contained vitamin A. SI 5000 plus, Scent including as vegetables that contain lots of minerals calcium and phosphorus as many as 45 and 75 mg per 100 grams of Scent leaves.

18. WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

So also in women, Scent leaves is rich in anetol and boron compounds, capable of inducing the hormone estrogen. It’s Eugenol compound is also able to kill the fungus that causes vaginal discharge. In addition stigmaasterol substances in the Scent may stimulate the egg maturation. Tannin and zinc reduce the secretion of vaginal fluid, there is also a substance called tryptophan that can delay menopause

19. ANTIFUNGAL

there is two reason why scent leaves can be anti-fungal: The gotten extracts from leaves of scent contain anti-fungal properties because the scent of essential oils present in leaves contains anti-fungal, and it is contain antiseptics beside contains antibacterial properties, too.

20. REPELS HOUSEFLIES AND MOSQUITOS

And the last, larvicides activity against houseflies and mosquitoes, and other insects in the house, farm, offices etc.

 

WARNING!!

Essential oils of Scent leaves can be used for aroma therapy massage, because the essential oils of Scent can relieve and refresh the body. However, pregnant women are prohibited from using it because it feared could cause a miscarriage. But beside that essential oils can be used as a mixture of various manufacture of drugs and body treatments such as soap, essence perfumes, body lotions, ointments, lozenges, as well as aromatherapy oil.

Now that you know, you can plant some at your backyard and start enjoying the benefits with your family and friends.