A lot of people are not aware of the immense benefits of scent leaf, efirin(Yoruba), nchanwu leaf(Igbo) and daidoya(hausa).
The Scent leaf, botanically known as Ocimum gratissimum, is an aromatic herb and a native to Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroun, Madagascar etc. The plant is a perennial homegrown shrub and It is used mainly as a spice for cooking delicacies due to its aromatic taste.
Aside it being a sweet smelling plant, it is known to have a lot of antibacterial, antifungal, larvicidal, and antipyretic activities thereby giving it a prominent role in the treatment and prevention of diseases and infections.
Scent Leaves contain vital bioactive substances which confer it with the above-mentioned activities including; tannins, phenols, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, and more, all of which are essential for human health.
Health benefits of Scent leaf

-It can help Improve heart health
Scent leaves contain calcium and magnesium, both of which help to reduce bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and increase blood circulation. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterols increase the risk of Coronary Artery Disease in adults and so the intake of scent leaves can reduce this ever-present risk.

-It helps with the maintenance of the eyes
The Scent leaf is rich in Vitamin A, which promotes good eyesight. M
Vitamin A is needed by the
Retinal combines with protein opsin to form rhodopsin, the light-absorbing molecule which is ultimately necessary for both scotopic vision (low-light) and color vision.

-It Aids digestion
Scent leaves can help relieve bloating and bring about quick digestion of meals.
Brewed scent leaves can have a calming effect on the stomach and help with bowel evacuation.
Drinking scent leaf tea may help relieve heartburn.

-It has Anti-Inflammatory properties
Scent leaves have been observed to possess anti-inflammatory properties akin to drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen but are kinder to the inner linings of the stomach.
Juice extract from the leaves of scent leaf is useful for healing menstrual pain, stomach ache, earache, and fever.

-It promotes oral hygiene
Making use of the stem of scent leaf ss chewing stick can kill bacteria in the mouth and help fight off bad breath because of its aromatic properties.
It is also able to prevent tooth decay.
Tea made from the leaves of scent leaf can be taken as a tonic. It can also be used as a gargle to treat sore throat.

-When left to dry and burnt, this leaves could serve as a mosquito repellent.

-It promotes normal hair growth
Hair loss is one of the side effects of chemotherapy. Research by Orafidiya et al., showed the efficacy of the leaf essential oil of scent leaves (Ocimum oil) in promoting hair growth and follicular proliferation in cyclophosphamide-induced hair loss.

-It helps lower blood sugar
Scent leaves have an unprecedented ability to lower blood sugar and protect the pancreatic islets that produce insulin from damage. Research has shown that scent leaves were efficacious in lowering blood sugar levels in mice.

-Scent leaf can be used to treat stomach ache, diarrhoea, chronic dysentry and vomiting. The extracts of the scented leaf can be taken to relief ear ache and colon pains. Scent leaf decoction is used in treatment of mental illness in some cases.

A glass of aqueous scent leaf extract can help improve your health in so many ways.