Ajaka, Albahaca Santa, Bai Gkaprow, Baranda, Basilic Indien, Basilic Sacré, Basilic Sacré Pourpre, Basilic Saint, Brinda, Green Holy Basil, Hot Basil, Indian Basil, Kala Tulsi, Kemangen, Krishna Tulasi, Krishna Tulsi, Manjari, Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Parnasa, Patrapuspha, Rama Tulsi, Red Holy Basil, Sacred Basil, Sacred Purple Basil, Shyama Tulsi, Sri Tulasi, Suvasa Tulasi, Tulasi, Tulsi, Tulsi Patra.
Holy basil is a plant. It is originally from India and is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an “adaptogen” to counter life's stresses. It is considered a sacred plant by the Hindus and is often planted around Hindu shrines. The Hindu name for holy basil, Tulsi, means "the incomparable one." Medicine is made from the leaves, stems, and seeds.
Holy basil is used for the common cold, influenza ("the flu"), H1N1 (swine) flu, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, earache, headache, stomach upset, heart disease, fever, viral hepatitis, malaria, stress, and tuberculosis. It is also used for mercury poisoning, to promote longevity, as a mosquito repellent, and to counteract snake and scorpion bites.
Holy basil is applied to the skin for ringworm.
In cooking, holy basil is often added to stir-fry dishes and spicy soups because of its peppery taste. Cookbooks sometimes call it "hot basil."
How does work?
Chemicals in holy basil are thought to decrease pain and swelling (inflammation). Other chemicals might lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.
There is interest in using holy basil seed oil for cancer. Beginning research suggests that the oil can slow progression and improve survival rate in animals with certain types of cancer. Researchers think this benefit may be explained by the oil's ability to act as an antioxidant.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerInsufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Anixety. Early research found that taking 500 mg of holy basil leaf extract twice daily after meals for 60 days reduced anxiety and associated stress and depression in people with anxiety.
- Diabetes. Some early research suggests that a holy basil leaf extract might decrease blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Stress. In early research, taking 400 mg of a holy basil extract (M/s Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd, India) by mouth in the morning and 800 mg at night for 6 weeks decreased symptoms of stress, including forgetfulness, sexual problems, exhaustion, and sleep problems.
- Common cold.
- Influenza ("the flu").
- Asthma.
- Bronchitis.
- Earache.
- Headache.
- Stomach upset.
- Heart disease.
- Fever.
- Insomnia.
- Viral hepatitis.
- Malaria.
- Tuberculosis.
- Mercury poisoning.
- Ringworm.
- An antidote to snake and scorpion bites.
- Other conditions.
Holy basil is POSSIBLY SAFE when used by mouth for short periods of time, up to six weeks. It's not known if long-term use is safe.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of holy basil during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Surgery: Holy basil might slow blood clotting, so there is a concern that it could increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using holy basil at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Holy basil might slow blood clotting. Taking holy basil along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. But there isn't enough information to know if this is a big concern.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
PentobarbitalInteraction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Pentobarbital causes drowsiness. There is some concern that taking holy basil seed oil with pentobarbital might cause too much drowsiness. But there isn't enough information to know if this is a big concern.
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowNatural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Agarwal, P. and Nagesh, L. Comparative evaluation of efficacy of 0.2% Chlorhexidine, Listerine and Tulsi extract mouth rinses on salivary Streptococcus mutans count of high school children--RCT. Contemp.Clin Trials 2011;32(6):802-808. View abstract.
Ahmed, M., Ahamed, R. N., Aladakatti, R. H., and Ghosesawar, M. G. Reversible anti-fertility effect of benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves on sperm parameters and fructose content in rats. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2002;13(1):51-59. View abstract.
Archana, R. and Namasivayam, A. A comparative study of different crude extracts of Ocimum sanctum on noise stress. Phytother.Res 2002;16(6):579-580. View abstract.
Archana, R. and Namasivayam, A. Effect of Ocimum sanctum on noise induced changes in neutrophil functions. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000;73(1-2):81-85. View abstract.
Aruna, K. and Sivaramakrishnan, V. M. Anticarcinogenic effects of some Indian plant products. Food Chem.Toxicol 1992;30(11):953-956. View abstract.
Balanehru, S. and Nagarajan, B. Protective effect of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid against lipid peroxidation. Biochem.Int 1991;24(5):981-990. View abstract.
Banerjee, S., Prashar, R., Kumar, A., and Rao, A. R. Modulatory influence of alcoholic extract of Ocimum leaves on carcinogen-metabolizing enzyme activities and reduced glutathione levels in mouse. Nutr.Cancer 1996;25(2):205-217. View abstract.
Bhat, J., Damle, A., Vaishnav, P. P., Albers, R., Joshi, M., and Banerjee, G. In vivo enhancement of natural killer cell activity through tea fortified with Ayurvedic herbs. Phytother.Res 2010;24(1):129-135. View abstract.
Bhattacharya, S. K., Bhattacharya, A., and Chakrabarti, A. Adaptogenic activity of Siotone, a polyherbal formulation of Ayurvedic rasayanas. Indian J Exp.Biol. 2000;38(2):119-128. View abstract.
Chattopadhyay, R. R. A comparative evaluation of some blood sugar lowering agents of plant origin. J Ethnopharmacol. 11-30-1999;67(3):367-372. View abstract.
Chattopadhyay, R. R. Hypoglycemic effect of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract in normal and streptozotocin diabetic rats. Indian J Exp.Biol. 1993;31(11):891-893. View abstract.
Devi, P. U. and Ganasoundari, A. Modulation of glutathione and antioxidant enzymes by Ocimum sanctum and its role in protection against radiation injury. Indian J Exp.Biol. 1999;37(3):262-268. View abstract.
Devi, P. U. and Ganasoundari, A. Radioprotective effect of leaf extract of Indian medicinal plant Ocimum sanctum. Indian J Exp.Biol. 1995;33(3):205-208. View abstract.
Devi, P. U., Bisht, K. S., and Vinitha, M. A comparative study of radioprotection by Ocimum flavonoids and synthetic aminothiol protectors in the mouse. Br J Radiol. 1998;71(847):782-784. View abstract.
Dharmani, P., Kuchibhotla, V. K., Maurya, R., Srivastava, S., Sharma, S., and Palit, G. Evaluation of anti-ulcerogenic and ulcer-healing properties of Ocimum sanctum Linn. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;93(2-3):197-206. View abstract.
Ganasoundari, A., Devi, P. U., and Rao, B. S. Enhancement of bone marrow radioprotection and reduction of WR-2721 toxicity by Ocimum sanctum. Mutat.Res 2-2-1998;397(2):303-312. View abstract.
Ganasoundari, A., Devi, P. U., and Rao, M. N. Protection against radiation-induced chromosome damage in mouse bone marrow by Ocimum sanctum. Mutat.Res 2-3-1997;373(2):271-276. View abstract.
Ganasoundari, A., Zare, S. M., and Devi, P. U. Modification of bone marrow radiosensensitivity by medicinal plant extracts. Br J Radiol. 1997;70(834):599-602. View abstract.
Geeta, Vasudevan, D. M., Kedlaya, R., Deepa, S., and Ballal, M. Activity of Ocimum sanctum (the traditional Indian medicinal plant) against the enteric pathogens. Indian J Med Sci 2001;55(8):434-8, 472. View abstract.
Geetha, R. K. and Vasudevan, D. M. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation by botanical extracts of Ocimum sanctum: in vivo and in vitro studies. Life Sci 11-19-2004;76(1):21-28. View abstract.
Gholap, S. and Kar, A. Hypoglycaemic effects of some plant extracts are possibly mediated through inhibition in corticosteroid concentration. Pharmazie 2004;59(11):876-878. View abstract.
Goel, R. K., Sairam, K., Dorababu, M., Prabha, T., and Rao, ChV. Effect of standardized extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. on gastric mucosal offensive and defensive factors. Indian J Exp.Biol. 2005;43(8):715-721. View abstract.
Grover, J. K., Vats, V., and Yadav, S. S. Pterocarpus marsupium extract (Vijayasar) prevented the alteration in metabolic patterns induced in the normal rat by feeding an adequate diet containing fructose as sole carbohydrate. Diabetes Obes.Metab 2005;7(4):414-420. View abstract.
Jagetia, G. C. and Baliga, M. S. The evaluation of nitric oxide scavenging activity of certain Indian medicinal plants in vitro: a preliminary study. J Med Food 2004;7(3):343-348. View abstract.
Kantak, N. M. and Gogate, M. G. Effect of short term administration of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) on reproductive behaviour of adult male rats. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1992;36(2):109-111. View abstract.
Karthikeyan, K., Ravichandran, P., and Govindasamy, S. Chemopreventive effect of Ocimum sanctum on DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Oral Oncol. 1999;35(1):112-119. View abstract.
Kasinathan, S., Ramakrishnan, S., and Basu, S. L. Antifertility effect of Ocimum sanctum L. Indian J Exp.Biol. 1972;10(1):23-25. View abstract.
Kothari, S. K., Bhattacharya, A. K., and Ramesh, S. Essential oil yield and quality of methyl eugenol rich Ocimum tenuiflorum L.f. (syn. O. sanctum L.) grown in south India as influenced by method of harvest. J Chromatogr.A 10-29-2004;1054(1-2):67-72. View abstract.
Mandal, S., Das, D. N., De, K., Ray, K., Roy, G., Chaudhuri, S. B., Sahana, C. C., and Chowdhuri, M. K. Ocimum sanctum Linn--a study on gastric ulceration and gastric secretion in rats. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1993;37(1):91-92. View abstract.
Mondal, S., Mirdha, B. R., and Mahapatra, S. C. The science behind sacredness of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.). Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2009;53(4):291-306. View abstract.
Mondal, S., Varma, S., Bamola, V. D., Naik, S. N., Mirdha, B. R., Padhi, M. M., Mehta, N., and Mahapatra, S. C. Double-blinded randomized controlled trial for immunomodulatory effects of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) leaf extract on healthy volunteers. J Ethnopharmacol. 7-14-2011;136(3):452-456. View abstract.
Mukherjee, R., Dash, P. K., and Ram, G. C. Immunotherapeutic potential of Ocimum sanctum (L) in bovine subclinical mastitis. Res Vet.Sci 2005;79(1):37-43. View abstract.
Narendhirakannan, R. T., Subramanian, S., and Kandaswamy, M. Mineral content of some medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Biol.Trace Elem.Res 2005;103(2):109-115. View abstract.
Panda, S. and Kar, A. Ocimum sanctum leaf extract in the regulation of thyroid function in the male mouse. Pharmacol.Res 1998;38(2):107-110. View abstract.
Prashar, R., Kumar, A., Banerjee, S., and Rao, A. R. Chemopreventive action by an extract from Ocimum sanctum on mouse skin papillomagenesis and its enhancement of skin glutathione S-transferase activity and acid soluble sulfydryl level. Anticancer Drugs 1994;5(5):567-572. View abstract.
Prashar, R., Kumar, A., Hewer, A., Cole, K. J., Davis, W., and Phillips, D. H. Inhibition by an extract of Ocimum sanctum of DNA-binding activity of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in rat hepatocytes in vitro. Cancer Lett. 6-19-1998;128(2):155-160. View abstract.
Rai, V., Iyer, U., and Mani, U. V. Effect of Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) leaf powder supplementation on blood sugar levels, serum lipids and tissue lipids in diabetic rats. Plant Foods Hum.Nutr. 1997;50(1):9-16. View abstract.
Rani, P. and Khullar, N. Antimicrobial evaluation of some medicinal plants for their anti-enteric potential against multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi. Phytother.Res 2004;18(8):670-673. View abstract.
Ravindran, R., Rathinasamy, S. D., Samson, J., and Senthilvelan, M. Noise-stress-induced brain neurotransmitter changes and the effect of Ocimum sanctum (Linn) treatment in albino rats. J Pharmacol.Sci 2005;98(4):354-360. View abstract.
Samson, J., Sheela, Devi R., Ravindran, R., and Senthilvelan, M. Biogenic amine changes in brain regions and attenuating action of Ocimum sanctumin noise exposure. Pharmacol.Biochem.Behav. 2006;83(1):67-75. View abstract.
Samudralwar, D. L. and Garg, A. N. Minor and trace elemental determination in the Indian herbal and other medicinal preparations. Biol.Trace Elem.Res 1996;54(2):113-121. View abstract.
Sarkar, A., Lavania, S. C., Pandey, D. N., and Pant, M. C. Changes in the blood lipid profile after administration of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) leaves in the normal albino rabbits. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1994;38(4):311-312. View abstract.
Sembulingam, K., Sembulingam, P., and Namasivayam, A. Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn on noise induced changes in plasma corticosterone level. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1997;41(2):139-143. View abstract.
Sembulingam, K., Sembulingam, P., and Namasivayam, A. Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn on the changes in central cholinergic system induced by acute noise stress. J Ethnopharmacol. 1-15-2005;96(3):477-482. View abstract.
Sen, P., Maiti, P. C., Puri, S., Ray, A., Audulov, N. A., and Valdman, A. V. Mechanism of anti-stress activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn, eugenol and Tinospora malabarica in experimental animals. Indian J Exp.Biol. 1992;30(7):592-596. View abstract.
Seth, S. D., Johri, N., and Sundaram, K. R. Antispermatogenic effect of Ocimum sanctum. Indian J Exp.Biol. 1981;19(10):975-976. View abstract.
Sharma, M., Kishore, K., Gupta, S. K., Joshi, S., and Arya, D. S. Cardioprotective potential of ocimum sanctum in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats. Mol.Cell Biochem. 2001;225(1-):75-83. View abstract.
Shokeen, P., Ray, K., Bala, M., and Tandon, V. Preliminary studies on activity of Ocimum sanctum, Drynaria quercifolia, and Annona squamosa against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Sex Transm.Dis. 2005;32(2):106-111. View abstract.
Singh, S., Majumdar, D. K., and Rehan, H. M. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential of fixed oil of Ocimum sanctum (Holybasil) and its possible mechanism of action. J Ethnopharmacol. 1996;54(1):19-26. View abstract.
Singh, S., Majumdar, D. K., and Yadav, M. R. Chemical and pharmacological studies on fixed oil of Ocimum sanctum. Indian J Exp.Biol. 1996;34(12):1212-1215. View abstract.
Singh, S., Taneja, M., and Majumdar, D. K. Biological activities of Ocimum sanctum L. fixed oil--an overview. Indian J Exp.Biol 2007;45(5):403-412. View abstract.
Subramanian, M., Chintalwar, G. J., and Chattopadhyay, S. Antioxidant and radioprotective properties of an Ocimum sanctum polysaccharide. Redox.Rep. 2005;10(5):257-264. View abstract.
Udupa, S. L., Shetty, S., Udupa, A. L., and Somayaji, S. N. Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn. on normal and dexamethasone suppressed wound healing. Indian J Exp.Biol. 2006;44(1):49-54. View abstract.
Uma, Devi P., Ganasoundari, A., Rao, B. S., and Srinivasan, K. K. In vivo radioprotection by ocimum flavonoids: survival of mice. Radiat.Res 1999;151(1):74-78. View abstract.
Uma, Devi P., Ganasoundari, A., Vrinda, B., Srinivasan, K. K., and Unnikrishnan, M. K. Radiation protection by the ocimum flavonoids orientin and vicenin: mechanisms of action. Radiat.Res 2000;154(4):455-460. View abstract.
Vats, V., Yadav, S. P., and Grover, J. K. Ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves partially attenuates streptozotocin-induced alterations in glycogen content and carbohydrate metabolism in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;90(1):155-160. View abstract.
Vohora, S. B., Garg, S. K., and Chaudhury, R. R. Antifertility screening of plants. 3. Effect of six indigenous plants on early pregnancy in albino rats. Indian J Med Res 1969;57(5):893-899. View abstract.
Vrinda, B. and Uma, Devi P. Radiation protection of human lymphocyte chromosomes in vitro by orientin and vicenin. Mutat.Res 11-15-2001;498(1-2):39-46. View abstract.
Yanpallewar, S. U., Rai, S., Kumar, M., and Acharya, S. B. Evaluation of antioxidant and neuroprotective effect of Ocimum sanctum on transient cerebral ischemia and long-term cerebral hypoperfusion. Pharmacol.Biochem.Behav. 2004;79(1):155-164. View abstract.
Agrawal P, Rai V, Singh RB. Randomized placebo-controlled, single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1996;34:406-9. View abstract.
Asha MK, Prashanth D, Murali B, et al. Anthelmintic activity of essential oil of Ocimum sanctum and eugenol. Fitoterapia 2001;72:669-70. View abstract.
Bhattacharyya D, Sur TK, Jana U, et al. Controlled programmed trial of Ocimum sanctum leaf on generalized anxiety disorders. Nepal.Med.Coll.J 2008;10:176-79. View abstract.
Godhwani S, Godhwani JL, Vyas DS. Ocimum sanctum: an experimental study evaluating its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity in animals. J Ethnopharmacol 1987;21:153-63. View abstract.
Jaggi RK, Madaan R, Singh B. Anticonvulsant potential of holy basil, Ocimum sanctum Linn. and its cultures. Indian J Exp Biol 2003;41:1329-33. View abstract.
Kar A, Choudhary BK, Bandyopadhyay NG. Comparative evaluation of hypoglycaemic activity of some Indian medicinal plants in alloxan diabetic rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;84:105-8. View abstract.
Kasinathan S, Ramakrishnan S, Basu SL. Antifertility effect of Ocimum sanctum L. Indian J Exp Biol 1972;10:23-5.
Kelm MA, Nair MG, Strasburg GM, DeWitt DL. Antioxidant and cyclooxygenase inhibitory phenolic compounds from Ocimum sanctum Linn. Phytomedicine 2000;7:7-13. View abstract.
Khanna N, Bhatia J. Antinociceptive action of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) in mice: possible mechanisms involved. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;88:293-6. View abstract.
Mediratta PK, Sharma KK, Singh S. Evaluation of immunomodulatory potential of Ocimum sanctum seed oil and its possible mechanism of action. J Ethnopharmacol 2002;80:15-20. View abstract.
Muruganandam AV, Kumar V, Bhattacharya SK. Effect of poly herbal formulation, EuMil, on chronic stress-induced homeostatic perturbations in rats. Indian J Exp Biol 2002;40:1151-60. View abstract.
Prakash J, Gupta SK. Chemopreventive activity of Ocimum sanctum seed oil. J Ethnopharmacol 2000;72:29-34. View abstract.
Sakina MR, Dandiya PC, Hamdard ME, Hameed A. Preliminary psychopharmacological evaluation of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;28:143-50. View abstract.
Saxena RC, Singh R, Kumar P, et al. Efficacy of an extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum (OciBest) in the management of general stress: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012;2012:894509. Epub 2011 Oct 3. View abstract.
Seth SD, Johri N, Sundaram KR. Antispermatogenic effect of Ocimum sanctum. Indian J Exp Biol 1981;19:975-6.
Sharma MK, Kumar M, Kumar A. Ocimum sanctum aqueous leaf extract provides protection against mercury induced toxicity in Swiss albino mice. Indian J Exp Biol 2002;40:1079-82. View abstract.
Singh S, Majumdar DK. Effect of Ocimum sanctum fixed oil on vascular permeability and leucocytes migration. Indian J Exp Biol 1999 37:1136-8. View abstract.
Singh S, Majumdar DK. Evaluation of antiinflammatory activity of fatty acids of Ocimum sanctum fixed oil. Indian J Exp Biol 1997;35:380-3. View abstract.
Singh S, Majumdar DK. Evaluation of the gastric antiulcer activity of fixed oil of Ocimum sanctum (Holy Basil). J Ethnopharmacol 1999;65:13-9. View abstract.
Singh S, Rehan HM, Majumdar DK. Effect of Ocimum sanctum fixed oil on blood pressure, blood clotting time and pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time. J Ethnopharmacol 2001;78:139-43. View abstract.
Singh S. Comparative evaluation of antiinflammatory potential of fixed oil of different species of Ocimum and its possible mechanism of action. Indian J Exp Biol 1998;36:1028-31. View abstract.
Singh, S., Malhotra, M., and Majumdar, D. K. Antibacterial activity of Ocimum sanctum L. fixed oil. Indian J Exp Biol 2005;43(9):835-837. View abstract.
Vats V, Grover JK, Rathi SS. Evaluation of anti-hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn, Ocimum sanctum Linn and Pterocarpus marsupium Linn in normal and alloxanized diabetic rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2002;79:95-100. View abstract.