MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Importance and chemical composition

The ‘Sacred basil’ or ‘Holy basil’, Ocimum sanctum Linn. belonging to the family Lamiaceae, is commonly cultivated in gardens. The species is worshipped by the Hindus of India and traditionally grown in courtyards and temples. The leaves of this species, on steam-distillation, yield a bright yellow, volatile oil possessing a pleasant odour characteristic of the plant, with an appreciable note of camphor and cloves.

The plant contains mainly phenols, aldehydes, tannin, saponin and fats. The essential oil components are eugenol (about 71%, eugenol methyl ether (20%), nerol caryophyllene, selinene, α-pinene, β-pinene,camphorcineole, linalool and carvacrol (3%). A terpeneurobsolic acid possessing anticancer properties has also been isolated. The seeds of this plant give a greenish-yellow fixed oil and also contain antistaphlocoagulase which can be extracted with water and alcohol.
The plant is also used as a pot herb. Its leaves are used as a condiment in salads, and other dishes. The leaves, seed and root are medicinally useful. The leaves also contain ascorbic acid (83 mg 100 g) and carotene (2.5 mg/100 g). The juice of the leaves possesses disphoretic, antiperiodic, stimulating, expectorant and antipyretic properties. It is used in catarrh and bronchitis, applied to the skin in ringworm and other cutaneous diseases and as drops to relieve earache. An infusion of the leaves is used as a stomachic in gastric disorders of children. If taken internally, it strengthens the liver and heart and is a good appetizer. It cures amenorrhoea and promotes the secretion of milk in lactating women. The leaves, if chewed, give relief from toothache. The leaf-juice is applied to reduce inflammations. A decoction of the root is given as a disphoretic in malarial fevers. The powdered root, if taken twice daily for seven days cures spermatorrhoea.

The seeds are mucilaginous and demulcent and are given in disorders of the genito-urinary system. The seeds rubbed in water are given for irritation coughs, gonorrhea, labour pains and dysentery. The seeds rubbed with cow’s milk are given for vomiting and diarrhea. The juice of the fresh leaves, flower-tops and the slender roots are considered to be good antidotes for snakebite and scorpion sting. Tribals (Santals) use the plant in cholera, cough, postnatal complaints, hemorrhagic septicemia and dog bite. The volatile oil is reported to possess antibacterial and insecticidal properties. It inhibits the in vitro growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Micrococcus pyrognes var. aureus. It has marked insecticidal activity against mosquitoes.