Know the herbs
Scientific name
Ocimum basilicum L.Family
LamiaceaeLocal name
Selasih, kemangi (pulau pinang), selasih jantan, selasih putih, selasih hitam, selasih antan, selasi, selari, ruku-ruku, ruku-ruku hitam, tulasiDescription
Ocimum basilicum is an aromatic herb that grows upright and can reach up to 1 m in height. The stem is often branched, quadrangular, light green to dark purple in colour, and glabrous to pilose on the surface. The leaves are arranged oppositely and decussately, ovate to elliptic in shape, with an acuminate apex and an attenuate base. The leaf margins are nearly entire or crenate to serrate, green to purplish in colour, and emit a fragrant aroma when crushed. The petioles are long and hirsute.The inflorescence consists of 2–3 pairs of opposite cymes at the terminal. The flowers are tubular, whitish-purplish to white or creamy yellow in colour, pilose on the outer surface, with bilabiate petals. The upper lip has four lobes, while the lower lip is ovate. The calyx is bell-shaped, two-lobed, pubescent on the outer surface, and pilose on the inner throat. The fruit consists of four nutlets enclosed within the persistent calyx tube; the nutlets are ovoid, black to dark brown in colour, and form a mucilaginous coating when soaked in water.
Usage
This plant is used as a diuretic and to eliminate body odour.
Malaysia Herbal Monograph (source: Globinmed)