Abstract

In traditional systems of medicine along with holistic approach, different parts of basil (Ocimum spp.) have been prescribed for the treatment of various ailments. Morphological and anatomical characters play a vital role in plant based crude drug identification and standardization. This study aimed to characterize the morphological and anatomical structure of four different species of Ocimum such as Ocimum basilicum var thyrsiflora L. commonly named as Thai basil; Ocimum tenuiflorum L. as Holy or sacred basil; Ocimum gratissimum L. as Shrubby basil or Clove basil and Ocimum viride Willd. as Temple basil or Fever plant of Sierra Leone. This study is useful to correct identification judging the authencity of the plant and to differentiate these species from each other’s while undertaking pharmacognostical characterization and evaluation. Key words: Basil, Anatomical, Morphological, Medicinal crude drugs.

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