20 Amazing Health Benefits of Scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum)
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.
Scent leaves have a distinctive smell and taste, sometimes unpleasant, fragrant or sweet, depending on the way of cultivation. Some of them even can make people who smell it become drunk.
From the test results of pharmacological found that Scent has antibacterial activity against Saphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli.
It also has antifungal activity against Penicillium notatum, Candida albicans, Microsporeum gyseum.
And the last, larvicides activity against houseflies and mosquitoes, and other insects.
The Scent leaves have fragrant smelling and this is a medicinal plant. The shape is branched at the top, with a height of about 50 -80 cm.
Compared to other similar Scent or even a single species, the only Scent has a pale green color (there are also purple).
Often we find them growing wild by the roadside. There were also planted in the yard and in the garden.
In Chinese pharmacology stated that throughout this herb can stimulate absorption (absorption), laxative sweat (diaporetik), urine (diuretic), pain relief (analgesic), blood circulation and cleanse toxins.
The portions of the Scent can be used as a treatment that is the whole herbs (leaves, stalks, stems, flowers), seeds and essential oils. Scent seeds, in addition to deliciously made drinks, are healthy.
General Characteristics of Scent Leaf
In India, where the plant is very popular, a decoction of leaves and flowers is used quite effectively against high temperatures.
This natural healer can destroy up to 99% of the microbes that are in our mouth. It perfectly heals ulcers, if they are there. Therefore, infusion or decoction is used for stomatitis, angina.
You can use the same means of fighting with a toothache. And with caries, dental calculus. You may strengthen gum with decoction or infusion.
Thanks to some components, the scent leaf copes with a headache. And of different origins. Whether it’s a migraine, high blood pressure or cold.
Infusion of scent leaf is used as an antitussive, especially in whooping cough. Scent leaf is shown in other diseases of the lungs. It is used even for the treatment of tuberculosis.
Substances found in the scent leaf are capable of acting destructively on bad cholesterol. With the help of scent leaves, you can fight with kidney stones.
Components that fill it, have a mild diuretic effect and are able to dissolve already existing in the kidney stones. The analgesic properties of plants are used in renal colic.
Health benefits of scent leaf juice and the infusion made on its base, are well-known too. It fights with gastritis, colitis, flatulence. It can help reduce stress, strengthening the nervous system, perfectly stimulates the immune system.
Studies show that thanks to the scent leaf, growth of malignant tumors and HIV can be restrained. This amazing herb can also heal the effects of radiation. It will serve, if it is used regularly, even as a vaccine against smallpox.
The composition of the oil its also unique. It contains camphor, and eugenol, and linalool. There is also methyl chavicol, ocimene, and others.
Even the leaves and stems contain mineral and tanning substances, as well as glycosides, sugars. It is impossible to forget the phytoncides.
There are also vitamins in the leaves, the vitamins in the scent leaf are vitamin C, vitamin PP, B2. There is also carotene and rutin. Proteins, vegetable fats, fiber are also contained in scent leaf.
Scent leaf application Scent leaf uses Virtually all parts of the scent leaf are used. If you consider the use of scent leaf in cooking, then its leaves are considered an excellent snack. Add scent leaf to meat dishes.
It can be any poultry, as well as lamb, beef. In some countries, leaves, stems, and plant seeds are added to dessert drinks.
Health Benefits of Scent Leaf
1. Cough and Phlegm laxative
Scent leaf has the capacity to treat cough in very shift time. The scent leaf has juice in it when it is squeezed thoroughly, and when the juice is finally out, it is advised to use it with warm water and store it in a save area. Drinking the therapy daily will reduce and cure the cough with time.
2. Fever Malaria
Antipyretic is a substance that is contained in scent leaf that makes it possible for it to cure malaria.
The best way to use scent leaf for this treatment is to boil the scent leaf and take it in the form of tea so it will work fast and effectively.
3. Scent Leaf treats Indigestion
Drink brewing scent leaves as tea able to treat digestive problems such as diarrhea, mules, such as in the stomach and others. The content of the essence in the Scent leaves has a calming effect and cools the stomach.
4. Lowering Blood sugar
These plants are also able to prevent cancer and reduce cholesterol. In diabetes mellitus, especially non-insulin dependent (NID diabetes), Scent may lower blood sugar levels and protect the pancreas cells that produce insulin from damage.
Randomized study in 1996 showed a decrease in blood sugar levels after eating are significant at the NID-DM patients. According to research conducted on mice, the content of ethanol in mint efficacious lowering blood sugar levels. Another finding was awesome, that Scent able to protect body tissue from damage caused by radiation.
5. Scent Leaf Relieves Heartburn
Scent leaves tea is useful for curing heartburn, coughing, feeling unwell, menstrual pain, fever, malaria, respiratory problems, constipation, appetite enhancer, nausea, postpartum treatments, cleansers and boosters heart.
6. Killing Bacteria (Antiseptic)
The content that contained in the leaves of Scent effective for killing germs. You should take 15 slice of Scent leaves, boiled in two cups boiling water into the remaining one cup. Use boiled water for antiseptic.
7. Scent Leaf Facilitates Milk
If you have any problems with the smooth milk, eat Scent leaves to stimulate milk production. Take twenty leagues grams of Scent leaves, use as fresh vegetables when eating.
8. Getting rid of Flies and Mosquitoes
Contained in the fragrant aroma Scent leaves did not like by mosquitoes or flies. So if you want to repel mosquitoes or flies, keep the Scent leaves in a pot in the house.
9. Reduce Nicotine
Benefits of Scent leaves the latter is to help eliminate and repair the damage caused by smoking. Smokers must consume Scent leaves. Other Scent benefits can also reduce stress, prevent diabetes and kidney stone disease. Wind laxative (carminativa) contains mint like Scent.
10. Improve the Boil
Health Benefits of Scent leaves could improve the boil. To ripen boils, you can take advantage of Scent leaves. Use Scent leaves to taste, squeeze together with the oil then put on to a boil.
11. Gastroenteritis
As anti-inflammatory Scent has the same effectiveness as aspirin and ibuprofen. It is profitable. Scent is also not irritate the stomach. That’s because in this herb, there are more elements to prevent injury in the body.
12. Scent Leaf is Healthy for the heart
Especially for adults, Scent leaves helps to prevent disease and heart problems. Every 100 grams of fresh Scent leaves have 33 grams of protein. In addition to protein, Scent also contains magnesium which helps reduce bad cholesterol and increase blood circulation. The benefits of Scent to help stabilize blood is blood circulation.
13. Maintain the health of the eyes and mouth
Scent is very rich in vitamin A. As we know vitamin A can cope with various types of eye infections, conjunctivitis, eye soothing stress and also for the prevention of night blindness and other vision problems. In addition, Scent leaves also be used to eliminate bad breaths.
14. Scent Leaf is Anti-Inflammatory
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, Ocimum Gratissimum or scent leaf as popularly called serves a great deal to cure inflammations and the affected area. These herbs help to treat arthritis. The scent also contains calcium that can help increase bone density and prevent diseases of the bone such as osteoporosis.
15. Cosmetic Fragrances
Crushed Scent leaves of fragrant essential oils that can be used as a fragrance cosmetic and horticultural crops decoy fruit flies. Scent essential oil containing methyl eugenol, eugenol, cineol, linalol, and terpineol.
16. Fertility Problems
Scent leaves were not only useful as part of the fresh vegetables that delicious eaten with chili sauce and chicken or fried fish, but Scent also has benefits for male and female sexual organs.
The compounds in Scent can overcome the problem of premature ejaculation in men. The content epigenin fenkhona and eugenol in Scent can facilitate erection.
Additionally, arginine substances contained in the Scent can strengthen sperm vitality and prevent infertility.
17. High in Vitamin A, Calcium and Phosphorus
Scent including vegetables that rich in pro-vitamin A. Each 100 grams of Scent leaves contained vitamin A. SI 5000 plus, Scent including as vegetables that contain lots of minerals calcium and phosphorus as many as 45 and 75 mg per 100 grams of Scent leaves.
18. Women’s Reproductive Health
So also in women, Scent leaves are rich in anetol and boron compounds, capable of inducing the hormone estrogen. Its Eugenol compound is also able to kill the fungus that causes vaginal discharge.
In addition, stigmasterol substances in the Scent may stimulate egg maturation. Tannin and zinc reduce the secretion of vaginal fluid, there is also a substance called tryptophan that can delay menopause
19. Scent Leaf can be Antifungal
There is two reason why scent leaves can be anti-fungal: The gotten extracts from leaves of scent contain anti-fungal properties because the scent of essential oils present in leaves contains anti-fungal, and it contains antiseptics beside contains antibacterial properties, too.
20. Scent Leaf Treats Sore Throat
Basil or scent leaf is an expert in curing sore throat. The basic method for medication is to use it in hot water or warm and drink it. In no time the sore throat will disappear.
Warning!!
Essential oils of Scent leaves can be used for aroma-therapy massage because the essential oils of Scent can relieve and refresh the body.
However, pregnant women are prohibited from using it because it feared could cause a miscarriage.
But besides that essential oils can be used as a mixture of various manufacture of drugs and body treatments such as soap, essence perfumes, body lotions, ointments, lozenges, as well as aromatherapy oils.
References:
Health Benefits of Scent leaf (Basil), Methods of Usage and their Various Types
19 Health Benefits of Scent Leaf (No.9 For Smoke Man)
I am really much interested about scent leaf ,I will use it for my every day life.
Thank you please keep it up
Thank you so much