Ocimum Canum

A hairy, lemon-scented basil that entered homoeopathy from Brazilian folk use, traditionally linked with renal colic and red, sandy sediment in the urine.

Ocimum canum, now usually called Ocimum americanum, is hoary basil, a small hairy annual of the mint family with white or pale purple flowers and a lemony scent. Despite its other name, American basil, it is native to Africa, the Indian subcontinent and South-east Asia, and it grows wild in many parts of India.

It came into homoeopathy through Mure, who learned of its use in Brazil for kidney and bladder troubles. Homoeopaths traditionally turn to it for renal colic, often on the right side, and for urine that carries a red, sand-like sediment, a sign of uric acid gravel.

• Kidney stones
• Renal colic
• Red urinary sediment
• Bladder discomfort