Question 1

What is Basilicum polystachyon used for in ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

In the Sri Lankan ayurvedic tradition, Basilicum polystachyon is used in preparations associated with fever, digestive complaints, minor skin conditions, and respiratory support. It is catalogued in Sri Lanka's ayurvedic pharmacopoeia as a medicinal herb whose aerial parts — leaves, stems, and flowering spikes — are the primary material used. Traditional uses should not be taken as clinical recommendations; a qualified ayurvedic practitioner should be consulted for any therapeutic application.

Question 2

Is Basilicum polystachyon the same as basil?

Accepted Answer

Basilicum polystachyon belongs to the same broad family (Lamiaceae) as culinary basil and is related to the genus Ocimum, under which it was historically classified. However, it is a distinct species from common sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) and is valued primarily for its medicinal properties in the ayurvedic tradition rather than as a culinary herb. The two plants share a similar aromatic character but differ in their morphology and documented uses.

Question 3

Where does Basilicum polystachyon grow in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The plant grows in disturbed ground, field margins, roadsides, and secondary vegetation across the lowland and mid-elevation zones of Sri Lanka. It is most commonly found in the wet and intermediate climatic zones and tolerates a range of soil conditions. It is not considered a rare or threatened species within the island's flora.

Question 4

What plant family does Basilicum polystachyon belong to?

Accepted Answer

It belongs to Lamiaceae, the mint family, which is one of the largest and most medicinally significant plant families in the world. This family includes not only basils and mints but also a wide range of aromatic herbs used in traditional medicine systems across Asia, Europe, and beyond. Within Sri Lanka's ayurvedic pharmacopoeia, several Lamiaceae species are documented for their therapeutic properties.

Question 5

Is Basilicum polystachyon found outside Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the species has a distribution extending across tropical Asia, including parts of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. In Sri Lanka it is particularly well documented within the ayurvedic tradition, but similar plants within the Basilicum and Ocimum groups are used across a wide geographic range in traditional medicine systems. The island's documentation of it forms part of a broader South Asian ethnobotanical record.

Question 6

Are there any scientific studies on Basilicum polystachyon?

Accepted Answer

Peer-reviewed research specifically focused on Basilicum polystachyon is relatively limited compared with its better-known relatives, but it falls within broader phytochemical screening programmes studying Sri Lankan and South Asian medicinal plants. Related species in the Lamiaceae family have been found to contain bioactive compounds including terpenoids, flavonoids, and essential oils. Sri Lankan academic institutions are actively involved in documenting and validating the island's ethnomedicinal plant heritage.

Question 7

Can tourists learn about ayurvedic plants in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Yes, spice gardens in the Kandy and Matale districts are among the most accessible venues for learning about Sri Lanka's medicinal and aromatic plants in a living context. Some ayurvedic wellness centres and village cultural tours also include guided herb garden experiences. Visitors with a deeper interest in traditional medicine can enquire about visits to ayurvedic treatment centres or botanical gardens that maintain collections of documented medicinal species.