Listing description
Nchanwu or scent leaf,
which is botanically known as Ocimum gratissimum is a tropical plant species
that belongs to the family of Labiatae. This is a home grown shrub used mainly
as spices for cooking delicacies due to its unique aromatic taste.
Detailed description
Other
names
O. gratissimum is a common culinary
herb in West Africa and is used by some in the Caribbean, going by many local
names.
·
Nunu Bush in Jamaica (from the Akan language)
·
Fobazen in Haiti
The plant has clusters of flowers with fragrant leaves
that have serrated margin. Scent leaf is originally from Africa, the Bismarck
Archipelago, Asia and Madagascar before spreading to other parts of the world
such as Bolivia, Polynesia, Panama, West Indies, Hawaii, Mexico and Brazil.
Nchanwu is a perennial plant that is common in Asia
and Africa. African countries like Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroun use Ocimum
gratissimum (scent leaf) for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. Each
Nigerian tribe has different name for scent leaf such as; the Ibibio call it
Ntonng, Yoruba call it Efinrin, Hausa call it Daidoya while the Ibo or Igbo
tribe call it Nchanwu. The use of nchanwu leaf as a herbal medicine has played
and continues to play a prominent role in the treatment of certain ailments and
diseases.
Benefits of Ocimum Gratissimum (Scent or Nchanwu or Efirin
Leaf)
Researchers show that the nchanwu extracts exhibit
antifungal activities on all the fungi tested. Nchanwu plants are of high
importance to the health of individuals and the society at large. This plant
has a huge medicinal values that depend on certain active chemical substances,
which have physiological impact on the human body. These vital bioactive
substances include; tannis, oligosaccharides, phenols, flavonoids and
alkaloids.
Studies show that the extracts of nchanwu plant (O.
gratissimum) contain anti-fungal properties.
The scent leaf can be used in the treatment of cough
and catarrh when inhaled.
Scent leaf can be infused and used as a remedy for
stomach disorder such as gastroenteritis.
Nchanwu leaf can be used to treat stomach pain,
diarrhoea, cholera, chronic dysentery and vomiting especially if blended and
infused together with the leaves of P. sentalinoides.
Nchanwu leaves can also act as a repellent to mosquitoes
and other insects.
The nchanwu leaves can be used for preventing and
treating malaria, catarrh, cough and fever.
The essential oil of scent leaf contains eugenol,
which has antibacterial properties.
Squeezed nchanwu juice can be used for treating convulsion.
Squeezed nchanwu juice can be used for treating convulsion.
The essential oil present in nchanwu leaves contain
anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiseptics properties.
The Ibo people of the Eastern part of Nigeria uses the
nchanwu juice in caring for baby’s cord.
The Igbos believe that the nchanwu juice helps a lot
in sterilizing the wound surface of a baby’s cord until the wound is healed.
Nchanwu is also used for treating gout and fungal
infections.
Nchanwu plant is diaphoretic and anti-convulsant in
nature.
The aqueos extracts of the scented leaf can be
taken to relief ear ache and colon pains.
Squeezed nchanwu leaves are applied on the skin for
treating skin diseases and ringworm.
Nchanwu seeds can be infused for treating urinary
infections and gonorrhea.
Nchanwu roots when boiled together with Jatropha curcas leaves and xylopia aethiopica fruit can be given to children to boost their strength and energy.
Nchanwu roots when boiled together with Jatropha curcas leaves and xylopia aethiopica fruit can be given to children to boost their strength and energy.
Nutritionally, Nchanwu leaf is very aromatic, which
suggests why it is used for flavoring, spicing and seasoning food, soups
and dishes.
Nchanwu oil can be used as food preservative due to
its anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties.
PRICE
$48/KG OR $21.81/IB
For more information:
mobile: +2348039721941
contact person: emeaba uche
e-mail: emeabau@yahoo.com
website: www.franchiseminerals.com
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