Basil (Ocimum basilicum).Plant Part Used: Aerial parts: leaf, stem, flower.Dominican Medicinal Uses: The aerial parts or leaves are traditionally prepared as a tea and taken orally for stomach ache, indigestion, gastro-intestinal pain, internal cleansing and women’s health conditions.Safety: This herb is generally regarded as safe for human consumption in moderate amounts and widely used as a culinary seasoning.Contraindications: The essential oil should not be used during pregnancy, lactation or in small children.Drug Interactions: Synergistic effects may occur with drugs that share similar pharmacological activities as those described for this plant in the “Laboratory and Preclinical Data” section; metabolism of one of basil’s active constituents, estragole, may be hindered by concomitant use of medications metabolized by UGT2B7 or UGT1A9 phase II enzymes.Clinical Data: No human clinical trials of this plant have been identified in the available literature.Laboratory & Preclinical Data: The following biological activities of this plant have been investigated in laboratory and preclinical studies (in vitro or animal models): analgesic, antifungal, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, anti-ulcerogenic, gastric anti-ulcerogenic, glutathione S-transferase and smooth muscle relaxant.* See entry for Albahaca in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.
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