Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Holy Basil
Ocimum tenuiflorum
This monograph compiles 2 documented constituents, 5 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 13 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Key Constituents
Pharmacological Actions
Adaptogen for stress and anxiety (improves stress scores and well-being in trials)
Neuroprotective / cognition support[13]
Cognitive support - a placebo-controlled study in healthy adults found improved reaction time and accuracy and shorter P300 latency
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Adaptogen for stress and anxiety (improves stress scores and well-being in trials)
more plants for anxiety →detailed sources →Arthritis / joint pain[11]Traditional · 1/10
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →Supports blood-sugar control (lowers fasting and post-meal glucose)
more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →Cognitive function[13]Moderate · 5/10
inferred from neuroprotective action
more plants for cognitive function →detailed sources →inferred from immunomodulator action
more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →Fatigue / low energy[12]Good · 7/10
inferred from adaptogen action
more plants for fatigue / low energy →detailed sources →Immunomodulatory / immune support
more plants for immune support →detailed sources →Inflammation (general)[11]Traditional · 1/10
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →Memory[13]Moderate · 5/10
inferred from neuroprotective action
more plants for memory →detailed sources →Skin irritation[11]Traditional · 1/10
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →Adaptogen for stress and anxiety (improves stress scores and well-being in trials)
more plants for stress →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Safety note[12]Caution
Generally well tolerated; mild nausea has been reported. Its blood-sugar-lowering effect means caution alongside antidiabetic medicines.
References
REF-1427, REF-1428, REF-1429, REF-1430, REF-1431, REF-1432, REF-1433, REF-1434, REF-1435, REF-1436References & Sources
- Lopresti, A.L., Smith, S.J., Metse, A.P. and Drummond, P.D (2022) 'A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of an Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) extract (Holixer) on stress, mood, and sleep in adults experiencing stress', Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, pp. 965130. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.965130 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.965130 - Baliga, M.S., Jimmy, R., Thilakchand, K.R., Sunitha, V. and others (2013) 'Ocimum sanctum L (Holy Basil or Tulsi) and its phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment of cancer', Nutrition and Cancer, 65(Suppl 1), pp. 26-35. doi:10.1080/01635581.2013.785010 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2013.785010 - Cohen, M.M (2014) 'Tulsi - Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons', Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 5(4), pp. 251-259. doi:10.4103/0975-9476.146554 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-9476.146554 - Arya, R., Faruquee, H.M., Shakya, H., Rahman, S.A. and others (2024) 'Harnessing the Antibacterial, Anti-Diabetic and Anti-Carcinogenic Properties of Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn (Tulsi)', Plants, 13(24), pp. 3516. doi:10.3390/plants13243516 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13243516 - Prakash, P. and Gupta, N (2005) 'Therapeutic uses of Ocimum sanctum Linn (Tulsi) with a note on eugenol and its pharmacological actions: a short review', Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 49(2), pp. 125-131. Meta-analysis / review
Find this source - Jayapal, V., Vidya Raj, C.K., Muthaiah, M., Chadha, V.K. and others (2021) 'In-vitro anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis effect of essential oil of Ocimum sanctum L. (Tulsi/Basil) leaves', Indian Journal of Tuberculosis, 68(4), pp. 470-473. doi:10.1016/j.ijtb.2021.02.009 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijtb.2021.02.009 - Baliga, M.S., Rao, S., Rai, M.P. and D'souza, P (2016) 'Radio protective effects of the Ayurvedic medicinal plant Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Holy Basil): A memoir', Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics, 12(1), pp. 20-27. doi:10.4103/0973-1482.151422 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1482.151422 - Kamel, F.O., Karim, S., Bafail, D.A.O., Aldawsari, H.M. and others (2023) 'Hepatoprotective effects of bioactive compounds from traditional herb Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn) against galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity in rats', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 14, pp. 1213052. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1213052 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1213052 - Yadav, I., Kumar, R., Fatima, Z. and Rema, V (2024) 'Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) as a Potential Immunomodulator for the Treatment of Ischemic Injury in the Brain', Current Molecular Medicine, 24(1), pp. 60-73. doi:10.2174/1566524023666221212155340 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1566524023666221212155340 - Kumar, P. and Patel, D (2023) 'Ocimum Sanctum: An All-Round Treatment for Cancer?', Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 29(4), pp. 253-257. Meta-analysis / review
Find this source - Bhattacharyya, P. and Bishayee, A (2013) 'Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Tulsi): an ethnomedicinal plant for the prevention and treatment of cancer', Anti-Cancer Drugs. doi:10.1097/CAD.0b013e328361aca1 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1097/CAD.0b013e328361aca1 - Jamshidi, N. and Cohen, M.M (2017) 'The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. doi:10.1155/2017/9217567 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9217567 - Sampath, S., Mahapatra, S.C., Padhi, M.M., Sharma, R. and Talwar, A (2015) 'Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) leaf extract enhances specific cognitive parameters in healthy adult volunteers: A placebo controlled study', Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 59(1), pp. 69--77. Randomized trial
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