A review by our health desk
Scent leaves have a distinctive fragrance and taste. Some of its species can make people become drunk when smelt. Pharmacological test results have found that Scent leave is highly medicinal.
Its botanical name is Ocimum Gratissimum. The Igbo people of Eastern Nigeria call it Nchanwu, while the Yoruba in Western Nigeria call it Efirin,
Below are the many medicinal values of the scent leave.
- Cough and phlegm laxative
Obtained by squeezing the leaves to obtain the fluid (or an extract of leaves of Scent).Then take the extract and brew it with hot water.
Drinking extracts of Scent leaves water regularly, will make your cough to subside gradually.
- Treatment of Malaria fever
Scent leaves contain an effective antipyretic substance that can reduce fever and cure malaria. To get this benefit, you can brew Scent leaves as tea, if you are a tea drinker. Drink it while still warm.
- Treatment of indigestion
Drinking brewed scent leaves as tea, is able to treat digestive problems such as diarrhea, mules in the stomach and others. The content of the essence in the Scent Leaves have calming effect and cools the stomach.
- Lowering blood sugar
These plants are also able to prevent cancer and reduce cholesterol. In diabetes mellitus, especially non-insulin dependent (NID diabetes), Scent may lower blood sugar levels and protect the pancreas cells that produce insulin from damage.
Randomized study in 1996 showed a decrease in blood sugar levels after consumption of significant dose of scent leaves by NID-DM patients. According to research conducted on mice, the content of ethanol in the leaves is efficacious in lowering blood sugar levels.
- Relieving heartburn
Scent leaves tea is useful for curing heartburn, coughing, feeling unwell, menstrual pain, fever, malaria, respiratory problems and constipation. It is also an appetite enhancer, cures nausea, good for postpartum treatments. A good cleanser and equally boosts the performance of the heart.
- Killing bacteria (antiseptic)
The nutrients contained in scent leave is effective for killing germs. You should take two cups of scent leaves in boiled water for this purpose.
- Facilitates human milk production
If you have problem with milk production as a nursing mother, eat Scent leaves to stimulate milk production. Take twenty grams of Scent leaves, and use as fresh vegetables when eating.
- Getting rid of flies and mosquitoes
Mosquitoes and flies are averse to the fragrance of Scent. So if you want to repel mosquitoes or flies, keep the Scent leaves in a pot in the house.
- Reducing effects of nicotine
Scent leaves help eliminate and repair the damage caused by smoking. Hence healthy consumption of scent leaves by smokers, is highly recommended.
- Treating of boils
Scent leaves could be used treat boils, as it help to ripen boils, when squeezed together with oil then put on the boils on the body.
- Gastroenteritis
As anti-inflammatory, Scent leave has the same effectiveness as aspirin and ibuprofen. It also does not irritate the stomach.
- This article is a review of the version published in Blessing Okpala’s blog on April 20, 2015.
To be concluded Saturday June 17, 2017