OCIMUM SANCTUM 195 



LABIATE. 



Mint Family. 

 Ocimum basilicum, L. (0. Americanum, Blanco.) 



NOM. VULG. Solasi, Tag., Pam.; Bonak, Vis.; Sweet Basil, 

 Eng. 



Ocimum gratissimum, L. (0. virgatum Blanco.) 

 NOM. VULG. Lokoloko, Tag., Pam.; Kolonkogon, Vis. 



Ocimum sanctum, L. (O.flexuosum, Blanco.) 



NOM. VULG. Balanoy, Tag.; Sacred Basil, Eng. 



USES. All three species possess a characteristic camphora- 

 ceous odor and are commonly grouped under the one name, 

 albahacas (sweet basil). Some natives call them solasi and others 

 balanay, but many are able to distinguish the various species 

 correctly. All three have analogous properties, but the most 

 widely used is the 0. basilicum. These properties are stimu- 

 lant, diaphoretic, and expectorant, and the infusion is used com- 

 monly for flatulent colic and painful dyspepsia. The dry 

 powdered leaves of the 0. sanctum are taken as snuff by the 

 natives of India in the treatment of a curious endemic disease 

 characterized by the presence of small maggots in the nasal 

 secretion ; this disease is called peenash, and possibly exists in 

 the Philippines though I have never encountered it. 



Martins states that in Brazil they use a decoction of the 

 mucilaginous leaves of the 0. gratissimum in the treatment of 

 gonorrhoea and Dr. Waitz highly recommends a strong de- 

 coction of these leaves for the aphthae of children, which he 

 claims to have cured by this means after all European drugs 

 had failed. This fact and the action of the snuff above 

 mentioned, demonstrate the antiseptic properties of the plant, 

 due doubtless to its abundant aromatic principles. 



0. basilicum contains a green essential oil, very aromatic, 



