Ocimum basilicum (Basil): A Medicinal Plant with Proven Ethnomedicinal Uses, Chemical Composition, Bioactivities, and Pharmacological Properties

The Ocimum L. (Lamiaceae) plant is highly prized for its economic and medicinal value. One of the best known species is O. basilicum (basil). Although originally native to the Americas, tropical Africa, and Asia, basil is now widely cultivated in Europe, North Africa, and south-west Asia. The plant’s medicinal properties have been well-documented throughout history, particularly in China and India. Its effectiveness in treating a range of ailments, such as stomach spasms and kidney problems, has been established since A.D. 1060. Basil possesses antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, anticonvulsant, cytoprotective, dermatologic, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, renoprotective, spermicidal, and insecticidal properties, making it one of the most versatile medicinal plants available. The seeds contain planteose, mucilage, polysaccharides, and a fixed oil consisting of 50% linoleic, 22% linolenic, 15% oleic acids, and 8% unsaturated fatty acids.