African basil known as scent leaf// its usage & propagation

African basil, or scent leaf as popularly called, botanically known as 'Occimum gratissimum' is a wonder green leaf, unique for its scent and aroma. Its usually use at homes for its aroma while cooking but apart from that scent leaf or african basil leaf has been an indigenous remedy for diarrhea mostly.

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• I grew up knowing this particular plant while with my grandparents, am particularly attracted to it because of its aroma, but with time my parents then make use of it time to time.

but What makes african basil special?

Major aim of my gardening has always been to get the best of green plants, to benefor greatly from the leafy plants and utilising them optimally.

• extracting scent leaf juice has proven to work for stomach disorder and menstrual pain and this has made me wonder if scent leaf has some antibiotics properties.
  But one thing sure is that it has anti-fungal & anti-bacteria properties.

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Propagating the scent leaf tree;

Scent leaf tree can thrive under any weather, but will thrive well during raining season, while its roots can go even deeper to extract water

it is propagated through cuttings, meaning is it propagated through the stem

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some common usage of scent leaf

Because of its unique aroma, it can be cooked together with food, especially soups, not only for its aroma thou, because it has antioxidants properties, and can cure diarrhea, i do add to my vegetables soups and sometimes to sallad, it aids digestion

• some indigenous usage of scent leaf as i grew up to know from my grand parents include squizzing the leafs to extract its juice while it is been used as cleanser, the oldies do use it to soften the skin and make it glow, i guess they also enjoy the scents from the leaf.

Not only this, because of its high enzymes content, scent leaf's also good for weight loss and thats why its been consuned as beverage, by extracting the juice from the leaf by boiling, and sipping its juice.

• scent leaf is also grown at home as a repellent for mosquitoes and insects because its leafs contain some camphor.

• not forgetting that it also contains Vitamin A good for the sight, ever wondered why people of old never on glasses or spectacles, its mostly because of the this leafy plants they feed on, scent leaf also regulates blood sugar