Open AccessThe Use of <i>Ocimum gratissimum</i> L. in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Ailments
Author(s) -
Emelia Oppong Bekoe,
Gladys Schwinger,
Cindy Kitcher,
Alexander Kwadwo Nyarko
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of natural remedies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.154
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 2320-3358
pISSN - 0972-5547
DOI - 10.18311/jnr/2021/26507
Subject(s) - ocimum gratissimum , medicine , traditional medicine , gastrointestinal disease , gastrointestinal tract , gastroenterology , disease
Diseases that affect the digestive tract are referred to as Gastrointestinal ailments. Gastrointestinal (GI) ailments contribute substantially to healthcare costs all over the world. Ocimum gratissimum , commonly known as African basil is a wellknown medicinal herb with a wide therapeutic potential. In most West African homes, it is employed as a home remedy for treating GI ailments such as diarrhoea, colitis, stomach ulcers, bloating, among several other conditions. Anecdotal reports support its efficacy in the treatment of these disease conditions. This review summarizes ethnomedicinal data for the use of O. gratissimum in the management of gastrointestinal ailments, and its potential clinical application based on its pharmacological activity.