The family Lamiaceae of
which the genus Ocimum belongs is composed of diverse and rich source of
essential oil containing plants. Ocimum contains between fifty to one hundredand fifty species of herbs and shrubs from the tropical regions of Asia,
Africa, and Central and South America. O. gratissimum L. is referred to as holy
basil. In Sierra Leone, it is known as “Tea bush” (Krio) and “orgbethor”
(Themne) while it is known as “efirin nla” in the Yoruba speaking culture of
Nigeria. O. basilicum L. is also referred to as sweet basil. It is known as
“Patmenji” (Krio) and “Sorow” (Themne) of Sierra Leone and “efinrin wewe” by
the Yorubas. O. americanum L. (synonym of O. canum Sims) is known as American
basil or hoary basil.
In Sierra Leone both the available varieties of O.
americanum L and O. basilicum L. are used in culinary as “Patmengy”
indiscriminately. The different varieties of O. gratissimum L. [implying
different chemotypes] have been used extensively in the traditional system of
medicine in many countries as had been reviewed. The main issues of concern
with the use of herbal drugs remain safety, validation of claims and standardisation
of product. There exist the problems of significant variation in the content of
Ocimum plants across and within species, with implication of varied biological
activities.(Read more)
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