Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to
Ocimum basilicum L. and improvement of diuretic function (ID 2314, 3465)
pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006[sup]1[/sup]
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)2
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy
Słowa kluczowe:
Ocimum basilicum L
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
-
Poprawa diurezy (funkcji nerek)
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is Ocimum basilicum L.. The characterisation of Ocimum basilicum L. is performed by comparing data provided as conditions of use to information extracted from standard reference textbooks (see Table 2 below and Appendix C for list of standard reference textbooks used for the characterisation).
Table 2. Information on Ocimum basilicum L. from standard reference textbooks and the information provided as conditions of use.
ID Scientific name Part used Nature of the preparation
Conditions of use
Text-
book
Ocimum basilicum L.
Lamiaceae
Herb; leaf Powder;
essential oil;
tincture;
infusion
Fresh and dried herb: common food
use.
Fresh herb:
Essential oil: 1-6 drops/day.
Dried herb:
Powder: 0.6-1.8g/day.
Fresh or dried herb:
Tincture: 40 drops 3 times/day.
Infusion: 2-4g/150mL water, several
times a day.
2314 Ocimum basilicum -
common name : Basil
Leaf Dried leaf;
extract
Dried leaf: 2-4g, 2-3 times/day, and
equivalent quantity in extract.
3465 Ocimum basilicum -
common name : Basil
Leaf Dried leaf;
extract
Dried leaf: 2-4g, 2-3 times/day, and
equivalent quantity in extract.
The Panel considers that the food/constituent, Ocimum basilicum L., which is the subject of the health claim, has been sufficiently characterised with the following conditions of use: dried leaf: 2-4 g, 2-3 times/day, and equivalent quantity in extract.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
-
Poprawa diurezy (funkcji nerek)
The claimed effect is “renal elimination/organism draining”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The claimed effect “renal elimination/organism draining” is not sufficiently defined. From the proposed wordings the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to improvement of diuretic function.
The Panel considers that no evidence has been provided to establish that improvement of diuretic function is beneficial to human health of the general population.
3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka - Poprawa diurezy (funkcji nerek)
-
Poprawa diurezy (funkcji nerek)
One reference was provided to substantiate the claimed effect. This reference is a monograph, in which the claimed effect is stated. The Panel notes that the reference cited did not provide any scientific data that could be used to substantiate the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Ocimum basilicum L. and improvement of diuretic function.
Wnioski
On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that:
The food constituent, Ocimum basilicum L., which is the subject of the health claim, has been sufficiently characterised with the following conditions of use: dried leaf: 2-4 g, 2-3 times/day, and equivalent quantity in extract.
The claimed effect is “renal elimination/organism draining”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. The Panel considers that no evidence has been provided to establish that improvement of diuretic function is beneficial to human health of the general population.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Ocimum basilicum L. and improvement of diuretic function.
