Scent leaf
Ocimum gratissimum
An aromatic herb widely grown in home gardens across Nigeria, valued both as a culinary spice (in pepper soup, native soups, and stews) and as a traditional remedy, commonly nicknamed "fever leaf." Its essential oil composition varies by chemotype: some plants are dominated by eugenol and thymol, others by geraniol, which explains variation in reported phytochemical profiles across studies.
- Categories
- Medicinal, Culinary Herb
- Found in
- West, Central, East and Southern AfricaPOWO
- Data sources
- Dr. Duke's, other literature
Local names
Known in 4 languages
Say it in
Yoruba · West Africa
Efinrin
West Africa
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Traditional & Common Uses
Important medical disclaimer
The information below is for educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
- Ghana
Traditionally used across West and Central Africa (Ghana, Sierra Leone, Angola, Upper Volta) to treat fever.
[1] Ayensu, E.S. (1978). Medicinal Plants of West Africa. Reference Publications, Inc. — via Duke's Ethnobotanical Database
- Nigeria
Used in Nigeria to treat catarrh.
[1] Ayensu, E.S. (1978). Medicinal Plants of West Africa. Reference Publications, Inc. — via Duke's Ethnobotanical Database
- Nigeria
Used in Nigeria to treat piles (hemorrhoids).
[1] Ayensu, E.S. (1978). Medicinal Plants of West Africa. Reference Publications, Inc. — via Duke's Ethnobotanical Database
- Angola
Used in Angola to induce sweating.
[1] Ayensu, E.S. (1978). Medicinal Plants of West Africa. Reference Publications, Inc. — via Duke's Ethnobotanical Database
- Burkina Faso
Used in Burkina Faso for headaches, coughs, eye inflammation (conjunctivitis) and scabies.
[1] Ayensu, E.S. (1978). Medicinal Plants of West Africa. Reference Publications, Inc. — via Duke's Ethnobotanical Database
- Congo
Used in DR Congo for back pain.
[1] Ayensu, E.S. (1978). Medicinal Plants of West Africa. Reference Publications, Inc. — via Duke's Ethnobotanical Database
- Ghana
Used in Ghana for snakebites and dysentery, and as a purgative.
[1] Ayensu, E.S. (1978). Medicinal Plants of West Africa. Reference Publications, Inc. — via Duke's Ethnobotanical Database
- Ghana
Used in Ghana and Sierra Leone for stomachaches.
[1] Ayensu, E.S. (1978). Medicinal Plants of West Africa. Reference Publications, Inc. — via Duke's Ethnobotanical Database
- Côte d'Ivoire
Used in Côte d'Ivoire for colds and itching.
[1] Ayensu, E.S. (1978). Medicinal Plants of West Africa. Reference Publications, Inc. — via Duke's Ethnobotanical Database
Known Phytochemicals
Cautions & Contraindications
No cautions recorded in our sources yet. That is not the same as safe: ask a healthcare professional.
Sources & Citations
- 1Ayensu, E.S. (1978). Medicinal Plants of West Africa. Reference Publications, Inc. — via Duke's Ethnobotanical Database
- 2USDA Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Database (phytochem.nal.usda.gov), Ocimum gratissimum entry
- 3Burkill (1985), The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 3 (Fula-Pulaar, Senegal), via JSTOR Global Plants
