Found on roadsides, fields, gardens and backyards, this herb grows to 50 cm, stem usually square bearing many branches; leaves are highly aromatic, each 2-4 cm long; flowers are green, born on spikes that turn brown when seeds mature.
TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USES
To promote delayed mestruation, ease pain of difficult menstruation, and to facilitate childbirth - boil one plant in 3 cups of water for 2 minutes; steep for 20 minutes and give the drink warm. Boil a small handful of fresh leaves in 2 cups of water and steep for 20 minutes; drink for stomach-ache, intestinal parasites, and to induce perspiration in feverish conditions. Tiny dried seeds are placed in the eye and left in overnight to rid eyes of phlem and as a minor aid to discourage the formation of cataracts. Leaves are dried and powdered to be applied to sores, especially those containing worms or larvae. Drop leaf juice in ear for earache.
Fresh or dired leaves are great in soups, salads, meat sauces and tomato dishes.
PLANT CHEMICALS
Chemical analysis on basil indicates it displays active chemicals in vitro antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginose, and Staphylococcus aureus, and antiyeast activity against Candida albicans (Janssen et al. 1986). Insecticidal activity against Colex quinquefasciatus was obtained using a petroleum ether extract at a concentration of 100 PPM (parts per million) from the dried plant. essential oil showed in vitro antifungal activity against Lonzites trabea, Polyporus versucolor, and several plant pathogens at an unspecified concentration (Maruzella et al. q
