Ocimum × africanum Lour.
Lemon Basil / Kemangi bini/Selasih putih (Bru.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Perennial aromatic herb that can reach up 40 cm tall. It is a hybrid between basil (Ocimum basilicum ) and American basil ( Ocimum americanum ) and has a taste of a lemon and basil. Leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, smooth, glossy and fragrant. Leaf blade is elliptic, acute at apex, attenuate at base with slightly toothed or entire margin and pinnate venation. Stems are quadrangular, yellowish-green and densely covered with soft white hairs. Flowers are creamy-white, tubular and few-flowered. Inflorescence a terminal spike. Fruit an ovoid, tiny,
Locally, the leaves are eaten as vegetable to treat diarrhea and bloating and often eaten with other foods to mask the taste and odour. The leaves are chewed and wrapped onto a clean towel. The towel is placed on the stomach area to treat flatulence and is often used for children. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities are reported for this plant.
It is commonly found in wastelands and around gardens. It prefers dry soil under full sunlight.
Seeds and stem cutting.
Distributed in Southeast
None