Purple Basil vs Chrysophyllum

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Purple Basil

Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens

Antioxidant

Chrysophyllum albidum

Antioxidant

Description

Purple-leaved cultivar of sweet basil with high anthocyanin content; used similarly to green basil with additional antioxidant interest.

Large fruit tree of West and Central Africa; bark, leaves and fruit used medicinally; fruit a popular delicacy in Nigeria.

Active Compounds

linalool, eugenol, anthocyanins, rosmarinic acid, flavonoids

tannins, saponins, flavonoids, vitamin C, calcium

Traditional Uses

Digestive conditions in Mediterranean folk medicine, Wound healing poultice, Respiratory infections, Culinary and ornamental

Digestive conditions in West African folk medicine, Fever treatment, Wound healing, Fruit widely consumed as nutritious food

Modern Uses

Antioxidant via high anthocyanins, Carminative, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory

Antidiabetic research, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory

Adult Dosage

2–3 g dried herb as tea; culinary amounts liberally

2–3 g bark as decoction; fruit freely as food

Contraindications

Anticoagulant medications in high doses

No known significant contraindications

Side Effects

Blood thinning potential, GI upset in excess

GI upset in excess from unripe fruit

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E