SyneraBotanica
Materia Medica

Lamiaceae

Holy Basil

Ocimum tenuiflorum

The sacred tulsi of India: an aromatic adaptogen that lifts the spirits, clears the mind and supports healthy metabolic and inflammatory balance.

Also known as
Tulsi, O. sanctum
Parts used
Leaf, Flowering top
Taste
Pungent, Bitter
Energetics
Warming · Drying
Sourcing
Cultivated

Actions

AdaptogenAnxiolyticAntioxidantCarminativeHypoglycemic (mild)

Traditional use

Tulsi is grown at the threshold of Hindu households and revered as a manifestation of the goddess Tulsi. It is described as 'the incomparable one' and used daily as a tea for longevity.

Ayurvedic practitioners used it for coughs, fevers, digestive complaints and to sharpen mental clarity — a sattvic herb said to open the heart and mind.

Research

  • Reduces stress and anxiety symptoms

    Clinical

    Small human trials report improvements in stress, anxiety and cognitive measures; a 2014 review summarizes 24 human studies with favorable outcomes.

    Cohen MM. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014;5(4):251–259.

  • Supports healthy blood glucose

    Clinical

    Several small trials show reductions in fasting glucose; trial quality is modest.

Key constituents

Eugenol
Major volatile oil; COX-inhibiting and antimicrobial.
Rosmarinic acid
Polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Ursolic and oleanolic acids
Triterpenes with metabolic and anti-inflammatory activity.

Sourcing notes

Easily grown as an annual. Three cultivars — Rama, Krishna and Vana — differ in aroma and chemistry.

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