Description
Ocimum gratissimum is a highly aromatic perennial shrub widely used in Africa and beyond for medicinal, culinary, and protective purposes.
Medicinal Uses
Traditionally used to treat respiratory ailments, digestive disorders, skin infections, malaria, fevers, and to boost immunity.
Food Uses
Leaves serve as a spice in soups and stews, a vegetable in porridges, and as a brewed tea.
Ritual / Cultural Uses
Used for spiritual protection, postpartum care, and as a natural insect repellent in homes.
Cultivation
Grown from seeds or cuttings, the plant thrives in full sun or partial shade, prefers fertile soil, and is often harvested for its leaves and essential oils.
