Difference Between Efinrin Nla and Efinrin Wewe (Photos)
by Abdullah Oyedele • Last updated June 3, 2025
by Abdullah Oyedele • Last updated June 3, 2025
Are There Really Two Types of Efinrin?
If you’ve ever used social media or google on searching for efinrin (scent leaf), chances are you’ve heard people argue about efinrin nla and efinrin wewe. Some say one is “stronger,” others say the small one is “for cooking” and the big one “for medicine.”
But what’s the real truth?
At Tewe Tegbo, we decided to investigate — not just by Googling, but by going straight to the roots: 20 indigenous Yoruba herbal experts, market visits, plant comparisons, and published science. What we found may surprise you…
Meet the Two Contenders
 |  |
|---|---|
| Efinrin Nla – Ocimum gratissimum | Efinrin Wewe – Ocimum basilicum |
| Traditional Yoruba scent leaf | Known globally as sweet basil |
| Broad leaves, strong spicy-clove smell | Smaller leaves, sweet Italian/Thai-style scent |
| Used for malaria, infection, postpartum care, and spiritual cleansing | Common in cooking (pasta, Thai dishes, etc.) |
| Called nchuanwu (Igbo), daidoya (Hausa) | Recently introduced into Nigerian markets |
| Called nchuanwu (Igbo), daidoya (Hausa) | No historical herbal or spiritual use in Yoruba culture |
Visual Comparison of Efinrin Nla and Efinrin Wewe Backed by 20 Herbal Experts
From leaf shape to ancestral use, here’s how to tell the true Nigerian scent leaf from its look-alike.
Why This Matters
With social media and global trade mixing up plant names, the confusion between efinrin nla and efinrin wewe is growing — even creeping into a few academic references.
People are now using sweet basil (efinrin wewe) and thinking it’s the same as our medicinal scent leaf.
But confusing these two plants can:
Our Position at Tewe Tegbo
Based on extensive interviews with Yoruba herbal experts, market visits, and published science, we strongly maintain that:
“Efinrin” refers specifically to Ocimum gratissimum — the traditional Yoruba scent leaf.
While one Nigerian academic source (ACEPRD, University of Jos) has referred to Ocimum basilicum as “efinrin wewe,” this appears to be the only formal instance of such naming, and it does not reflect the broader Yoruba cultural or herbal consensus.
Therefore, we classify Ocimum basilicum as either:
We believe it’s important to clearly distinguish between these two plants to preserve the authenticity of indigenous Yoruba herbal knowledge.
The Infographic Reposting Guidelines for Herbal Educators & Cultural Bloggers
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<blockquote>
<p><strong>Efinrin Nla vs. Efinrin Wewe:</strong> Visual Comparison Backed by 20 Yoruba Herbal Experts</p>
<a href="https://tewetegbo.com/efinrin-nla-efinrin-wewe">
<img src="https://tewetegbo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/efinrin-nla-vs-efinrin-wewe-infographic-e1749497197862.png" alt="Efinrin Nla vs. Efinrin Wewe Infographic" width="100%" />
</a>
<p>Created by <a href="https://www.tewetegbo.com">Tewe Tegbo</a> – Preserving Indigenous Herbal Wisdom</p>
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