Ocimum gratissimum L.
അറ്റുതുളസി
| Family: | LAMIACEAE |
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| Sub-Family: | Not available | ||||
| English Name: | Lemon basil | ||||
| Synonym: | Ocimum petiolare Lam. | ||||
| Common Name: | Anathuasi, Karpoorathulasi, Ramathulasi, Shrubby basil, Tea bush | ||||
| Flowering & Fruiting Period: | August-December | ||||
| Distribution: | Pantropical | ||||
| Habitat: | Moist and dry deciduous forests, also in the plains | ||||
| Uses: | Leaves - cooked and eaten as a potherb. The leaves are infused to make a tea. Clove basil is an aromatic, stimulant, antispasmodic, antiseptic herb that repels insects, expels internal parasites and lowers fevers. The leaves and stems are used internally in the treatment of colds, especially chest colds; fevers, headaches, impotence, flatulence, diarrhoea, dysentery, post-partum problems, and worms in children. An essential oil obtained from the leaf has shown marked antibacterial activity. | ||||
| Key Characteristics: | Shrubs; stem glandular-scabrid. Leaves simple, opposite, elliptic to obovate, acuminate at apex, base attenuate serrate; nerves 6-pairs; thinly tomentose below. Racemes terminal, panicles; bracts oblanceolate; flowers 4-6 at each node. Calyx glabrous; upper lip ovate, obtuse, lobes of lower lip acuminate, glandular. Corolla white, lobes obtuse. Staminal filaments glabrous or villous at base; anthers sagittate at base. Nutlets pitted, brown. | ||||