Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) Linn., popularly known as
sweet basil in English, “Tulsi” in Hindi and “Raihan” in Arabic,
belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It is an annual herb that is widely
grown as a commercial ornamental crop in tropical and warm
temperate regions of the world including Asia, Africa, Central and
South America[1,2]. Basil is an erect branching herb that grows 0.3
to 1.3 m high, with light green silky leaves. Its leaves are simple,
opposite, 3 to 11 cm long, 1 to 6 cm wide, ovate, acute and usually
toothed containing numerous oil glands which store essential oils[3].
The flowers of sweet basil are white to purple in color and arranged
in a terminal spike[4]. Omani basil can be distinguished from other
cultivars of basil based on its height and different look