Ocimum americanum L.

Family: Lamiaceae

Synonym: Ocimum album Roxb.                            

Bengali/Vernacular name: Tulasi, Bon-tulsi.

Tribal name: Taolopoing (Chak), Sheprang (Khumi), Vawipanha (Lushai), Nung aprou (Marma), Char-wa-key-ju (Rakhaing), Jersabarang (Tanchangya).

English name: Rosary basil, Rosary ocimum.

Description of the Plant: An erect, stout, aromatic annual herb, up to 40 cm tall. Leaves petiolate, slender, pubescent, lamina elliptic-lanceolate, faintly serrate, and acute. Inflorescence 7-8 cm long, in close set whorls of terminal spiciform cymes, tomentose. Nutlets narrowly elliptic, black, 3-faced.

Plant parts Used: Leaf, stem, seed.

Traditional Uses: A fresh juice extracted from the leaves and stems of the plant are taken thrice a day (two tea spoons amount each time) for one week to treat cold and cough.
Seeds are washed and pounded, used in poultices for sores and sinuses; also used internally for habitual constipation, and internal hemorrhoids.
Pea-sized pills made with leaves and stems of the plant are taken thrice a day with warm water (one pill each time) for three weeks to treat pneumonia.
Decoction of leaves is used for hiccups, vomiting, and nausea treatment.
Seeds are used in treatment of several eye diseases; to soothe pain and inflammation.
The leaves made into a paste that is used in the treatment of skin diseases, it is also applied to wounds and burns that are not healing well.
Decoction of leaves and stems of the plant is given for the treatment of bronchitis.

Distribution: It is found in most of the districts.

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