Nina Nchanwu | Nunum Scent Leaves

Known by many names, such as Numnum in Ghana, Efinrin in Nigeria, as well as Scent Leaf or Wild Basil, the Ocimum gratissimum plant is known for its medicinal uses. West Africans rely on the plants’ leaves for a whole variety of purposes from intestinal health to mosquito repellent. The plant is naturally a diaphoretic and anticonvulsant. It also contains eugenol.

Efirin is also medicinal and can be squeezed when fresh or steeped in hot water when dried to cure stomach upset, brewed into a tea, cough, nausea and soups such as pepper soup manly because of the aroma it gives.