holy basil

Common name
Holy basil, Tulsi
Botanical names
Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum tenuiflorum
Parts used and where grownHoly basil is native to the Indian subcontinent and other parts of tropical Asia. The leaf and seed oil are used therapeutically.
Holy basil has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):
Science Ratings - Health Concerns** - Asthma
** - Type 2 diabetes
* - Poison oak and poison ivy dermatitis
*** - Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
** - Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
* - For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.
Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies)
Holy basil is a relative of the more familiar species used in cooking. Known to the Ayurvedic medical tradition as tulsi, it has been called the “Queen of Herbs” since the times of ancient civilization in India.1 Ayurvedic tradition classifies tulsi as an adaptogenic herb, capable of increasing the body’s resistance to stress and disease.2 3 Its many specific uses have included coughs, colds, and other respiratory disorders, fevers, headaches, stomach disorders, and heart disease.
Active constituentsThe stem and leaves of holy basil contain a variety of constituents that may have biological activity, including saponins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and tannins.4 The leaf also contains an essential oil composed of eugenol and other volatile compounds.5 Several of these constituents have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties according to test tube studies.6 In animal studies, extracts of holy basil leaf have also lowered blood sugar,7 8 reduced some measures of the response to physical stresses,9 10 11 12 reduced pain sensitivity,13 14 protected heart tissue from excessive damage due to a heart attack,15 improved wound healing,16 17 and protected stomach tissue from damage from aspirin.18 Large amounts of holy basil extract were used in these studies, and few of these effects have been investigated in humans.
How much is usually taken?Human clinical trials of holy basil typically use 1,000 to 2,500 mg per day of dried, powdered leaf, either taken all at once or divided into two or three smaller amounts.
Are there any side effects or interactions?Two animal studies suggested that large amounts of holy basil might negatively affect fertility,19 20 but no adverse reactions have been reported in human clinical trials. Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been investigated; until more is known, holy basil should probably be avoided at those times.21
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with holy basil.Source: www.cncahealth.com