Hyperaspis; Print; Ocimum is a genus of aromatic annual and perennial herbs and shrubs in the family Lamiaceae; native to the tropical and warm temperate regions of all 6 inhabited continents; with the greatest number of species in Africa. It is the genus of basil and the name is from the Ancient Greek word for basil; ????? (?kimon). Its best known species are the cooking herb cooking basil; O. basilicum and the medicinal herb tulsi (holy basil); O. tenuiflorum.