Lamiaceae
Holy Basil
Ocimum tenuiflorum
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Indian Subcontinent
Also known as: Tulsi, Sacred Basil, The Incomparable One
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
LeafFlowerSeed
Therapeutic Uses
Stress, anxiety, type 2 diabetes (blood sugar regulation), cognitive function, respiratory infections, fever, dental health. Central herb of Ayurvedic medicine.
Herbal Actions
Adaptogen, anxiolytic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, COX-2 inhibitor
Active Constituents
Eugenol, β-caryophyllene, methyl eugenol, rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid, ocimumosides (A, B), flavonoids
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture💊 Capsule
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2–3 tsp fresh or 1 tsp dried leaf per 250ml, steep 10 min, 2–3x daily |
| Tincture | 3–5 ml (1:5, 45% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Fresh herb preferred. Daily tea drinking (3 cups) is traditional and effective. Extract: 300–2000mg daily. Different varieties (Rama, Krishna, Vana) have slightly different constituents. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: May enhance hypoglycemic drugs — monitor blood sugar. May affect fertility — avoid in those trying to conceive (anti-fertility effect in animal studies). Avoid high doses in pregnancy.
Side Effects: Blood thinning effect at high doses. Very well tolerated generally. Mild anticoagulant activity.