15 Healing Powers of Scent Leaf (Ocimmum gratissimum)

Scent leaf (Ocimmum gratissimum) is such an extremely blessed leave with so many healing powers but mostly recognised as home-grown shrub used mainly as spices for cooking delicacies for the sake of its unique and peculiar aromatic taste but scent leaf is definitely more than just a spicy for only cooking delicacies as it also possesses so many healing and medicinal powers.

Most of us are not aware of the immense benefits of Ocimum gratissimum popularly known as scent leaf, efirin (Yoruba), nchanwu leaf (Igbo) and daidoya (hausa). Efirin, daidoya, nchanwu or scent leaf, whose botanical name is Ocimum gratissimum, is a tropical plant species that belongs to the family of Labiatae.

It is usually a home-grown shrub used mainly as spices for cooking delicacies due to its unique aromatic taste. Scent leaves are high in calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, carbon and vitamin A. The scent leave has been reported to be rich in plants chemicals. Oil from the leaves has been shown to possess antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal activities.

Scent leaves are very high in Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, carbon and Vitamin A. This leaves has be confirmed to be rich in plant chemicals, the oil from this leaves has been shown to possess antibacterial, and antifungal activities.

From recent findings, scent leaf has proved to be useful in the medication for people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome virus AIDS.

In Congo, scent leaf decoction is used for diarrhoea, gonorrhoea infection, and 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.

This plant is used by herbalists to treat a variety of maladies, from bacterial infections and diabetes to pain and liver damage.

Several studies have confirmed the efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum in treating various conditions after it is condensed into an essential oil. This is largely credited to the plant’s high concentrations of a phenylpropene compound called eugenol.

Several studies have been performed that lend credence to herbalist use of this plant for treating diarrheal and other gastrointestinal infections. One joint study in 1999 by the universities of the West Indies and Nigeria found that the leaf extract provided relief from diarrhoea in lab rats and guinea pigs.

Another study, published in 2002 by the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, found that the essential oil relaxed the small intestine in lab rats, furthering claims that the plant is beneficial in relieving gastrointestinal ailments.

Studies suggest that Ocimum gratissimum effectively combats several types of invasive bacteria. These range from shigella and salmonella to escherichia and proteus strains.

The oils of the plant also were effective in fighting strains of E. coli, dysentery and typhoid. Some research also confirms that clove basil is effective in treating various veterinary problems, from killing worms in goats to increasing libido in lab mice.

Read Also: 9 Ways to Enhance the Growth Rate and Maximize Profits on Broiler Production

Now let us explain the medicinal and healing powers of scent leaves in details below:

16 Medicinal / Healing Powers of Scent Leaf

Below are the 16 healing / medicinal powers of scent leaves:

1. Bad Breath

Scent leave can be used to treat oral infections. Scent leaf is known for its ability to kill bacteria in the mouth, help fight off bad breath and also prevent tooth decay.

2. Aids Digestion

Scent leave aids digestion. If you are the type of person that eats late at night, it is likely you will experience indigestion and bloating. Scent leave has immense health benefits such as easy bowel evacuation and weight management.

3. Fungal Infections

Scent leaf crushed and applied to skin infections is a known remedy for their treatment. The liquid extract can also cure cold and catarrh. It is used in the treatment of fungal infections like fever, cold and catarrh. Squeezed scent leaves are applied on the skin for treating skin diseases and ringworm.

4. Food Preservative

Due to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, scent leaf oil extract is also used as a food preservative.

5. Treat Malaria and Fever

Scent leaf mixed with bitter leaf is used over here in Nigeria as a potent treatment for malaria and fever. Scent leaves can also be used for the prevention and treatment of malaria, catarrh, cough and fever.

6. Oral Hygiene

Chewing stick is what most rural inhabitants use for cleaning their mouth. And the scent leaf stick is very effective in that regard as its health properties are passed over to the mouth while chewing on it.

7. Mosquito Repellent

Allow the scent leaf to dry up under the sun, then burn it. It will serve as a powerful mosquito repellent.

8. Pain Relief

The liquid extract is used for treating ear ache and colon pains. Scent leave can be used to treat stomach ache, diarrhoea, chronic dysentery and vomiting. Scent leaf decoction is used in treatment of mental illness.

Related: Complete List of High Protein Foods you Should Know About

9. Gut Health

Scent leaf will help you with your stomach aches, dysentery, diarrhoea and vomiting.

10. Digestive Health

Scent leaf can help relief bloating and also help you digest your meals on time. It can also help with bowel evacuation.

11. Lower Blood Sugar

Among the amazing health benefits of scent leaf is its ability to lower blood sugar levels and help prevent damage to the pancreas.

12. Repair Smoking Damages

Scent leaf can also repair damages caused by smoking and nicotine. It is said to be able to reduce the nicotine content in the body.

13. Infertility Issues

It is said that scent leaf can help a man treat premature ejaculation. Its arginine content is known property that has been proven to help main an optimum penile health.
Also the content epigenin fenkhona and eugenol in Scent can facilitate erection.

14. Milk Production

Having issues with the amount of milk coming out? Then be informed that scent leaf can help with the production of more milk.

15. Anti-Inflammatory

As we already know, inflammation can cause our bodies to become venerable to all sorts of sickness and diseases.
Scent leaf is anti-inflammatory and it can help you avoid the various bad effects from inflammation.

16. Scent Leaf Seeds are Highly Medicinal

Scent leaf seeds can be infused for treating urinary infections, gonorrhoea infection, and vaginal douches for vaginitis. From recent finding scent leaf has been found to be useful in the medication for people living with human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Warning:
Pregnant women are advised to stay away from its usage as it is known to cause miscarriage.

Read Also: Health Benefits of taking Watermelon during Early Pregnancy