Scent leaf
Ocimum gratissimum
Herbs & Roots. African and Caribbean.
Also called African basil, Clove basil, Efinrin (Yoruba), Nchanwu (Igbo)
Strong oil can irritate skinScent leaf is a strong-smelling African basil whose leaves flavor soups and are brewed in folk teas for colds and stomach upset.
Did you know? Its clove-like smell comes mainly from eugenol, the same compound that gives cloves their flavor.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Infections. Lab tests show that the leaf oil slows some germs and fungi. Human proof is limited.Traditional proof
- Digestion & gut health. Used in folk medicine for bloating and stomach upset. Modern studies are scarce.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
In West Africa and parts of the Caribbean, people use scent leaf for colds, cough, fever, and bloating. The leaves are often boiled or steamed, and the smell is valued in cooking.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Antimicrobial, Carminative. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Mostly eaten as a flavoring in soups and stews. As a tea, leaves are steeped or boiled in water. The strong essential oil should not be taken by mouth without expert advice.
Food, tea and decoction.
Where to get it
Grows wild and in home gardens across tropical Africa and in parts of the Caribbean. Fresh and dried leaves are sold in African markets and Caribbean shops, and the essential oil is sold for aromatherapy.
Be careful
The leaves are safe in normal food amounts. The essential oil is concentrated and can irritate the skin or stomach. It contains eugenol, which can irritate and, in large amounts, may harm the liver, so avoid large doses.
Avoid if: pregnancy.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both West African leaves are used in home cooking and folk teas.
- Works well together
Both strongly scented leaves are used in tropical folk teas.
The honest take
Scent leaf is a useful kitchen herb with real history in West Africa and the Caribbean. Its claims for colds and germs rest mostly on lab work and folk use. Its strong oil should be used with care.