Ocimum sanctum

Common name:  Holy basil/Sacred basil

Local name: Kemangi

Family: Lamiacease/Labiatae

A decoction of kemangi leaves and roots is a specific remedy for gonorrhea and acts as a diaphoretic for malarial fevers.  It is a good remedy for coughs, anorexia, chronic dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, acute and chronic bronchitis.



Tea tree



Melaleuca alternifolia

Common/Local Name:  Tea tree

Family Myrtaceae

Uses in traditional medicine

Tea tree oil is used as a natural remedy or bacterial and fungal infections of the skin and mucosa.  It is used as an antiseptic agent.  The aborigine tribes in Australia have used it for thousands of years as a healing plant, crushing the leaves into mudpacks to treat cut and skin infections.  As early as 1923, clinical trials in Australia began to provide scientific evidence for tea tree’s antiseptic and bacterial properties.  It was used in first aid kits in the Australian army and navy in World War II.