African basil, a solution to bad breath

HEALTH

Barbra Atuhiire is a young lady, a few months back she had lost all her confidence. She had bad breath.

Atuhiire always isolated herself until one day when she asked for a friend's advice about her predicament.

"She advised me to visit a nutritionist. I took her advice seriously and visited a nutritionist," Atuhiire narrates

She said the nutritionist instructed her to start chewing African basil which she took up seriously. She ate it every morning and night before she went to bed.

By sticking to the nutritionist's prescriptions, it only took Atuhiire two weeks to attain a good scent.

"Since then my confidence has improved and I can freely express myself without any fears," She said

What is African basil?

African basil is scientifically known as ‘Ocimum gratissimum', but in most Bantu speaking parts of Uganda, it is called ‘Omujaaja'.

Nutritionists say African basil is a medicinal herb that can be used to heal a number of diseases.

Denis Katanku Musoga, a nutritionist advises that just like any other herb, it would not be wise to drink African basil without a clear dosage.

Katanku explains that though most green plants are important to the body one has to seek recommendations from the nutritionist to avoid overdosage and other side effects that may be fatal to one's health.

 "We recommend people to first seek prescription because though most green plants can be used to extract a lot of medicines, taking one herb with belief that it will heal a number of diseases may not be very wise," Katanku warns.

Beneficial elements of African basil

According to the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (J-AIM), African basil contains antidepressant and anti-anxiety elements that enable those who drink it daily to feel less anxiety and stress.

Jamiru Mpiima, a nutritionist explains that African basil improves digestion when it is drunk in warm water or chewed.

"Those approaching menopause drink it in warm water to prevent irritations while other people drink it to prevent nausea," Mpiima expounds.

Katanku says African basil is good in the management of Peptic Ulcer Diseases (PUD), just as many plants and vegetables which are rich in antioxidants.

Additionally, Health line doctors explain that extracts from African basil leaves work against infections and wounds because they contain antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory elements which are painkillers to the body.

Being a plant origin, Katanku says African basil has very limited calories, thus unlikely to cause obesity.

"African basil helps to manage obesity which is a predisposing factor of many ailments such as diabetes type two, and cardiovascular diseases," Katanku explains.

According to Katanku, African basil can be used to treat flatulence (a gas in the stomach). It can also be used to protect against infections, lower blood sugar, cholesterol, ease joint pain and protect the stomach. 

Best way to take African basil

According to Mpiima, African basil can be drank or chewed. 

However, nutritionists' advise that the best way to use African basil is by putting it in beverages like juice or tea.

Katanku adds that African basil gives a good taste to any beverage.

African basil contains

According to Medical News Today, African basil contains magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, vitamin A, K and C which are essential in the body.

It also consists of anti-bacterial properties that reduce any kind of pain afflicted on the human body.