![<img src='https://images.vital.ly/monographs/tr:w-800,c-at_max,dpr-2,q-100/Ocimum_tenuiflorum_vital_ly.1.png' /> Holy basil](https://images.vital.ly/monographs/tr:w-800,c-at_max,dpr-2,q-100/Ocimum_tenuiflorum_vital_ly.1.png)
Holy basil
Scientific names: Ocimum tenuiflorum, Ocimum sanctum
Family: Lamiaceae/Labiatae
Alternate names: 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, Parnasa, Patrapuspha, Rama Tulsi, Red Holy Basil, Sacred Basil, Sacred Purple Basil, Shyama Tulsi, Sri Tulasi, Suvasa Tulasi, Tulasi, Tulsi, Tulsi Patra
Actions: Consituents, Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Antibiotic properties, Anticancer, Anticonvulsant, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory properties, Antilipidemic properties, Antioxidant, Antiplatelet, Antipoison, Antipyretic properties, Anti-stress, Anti-thyroidal, Anti-ulceriginic, Anxiolytic properties, Hypotensive, Immunomodulating, Neurologic/CNS, Radioprotective, Sedative, Wound healing properties
Background
Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is a plant that is native to India. It is commonly used in the traditional Indian medicine system, Ayurveda.
Holy basil is sometimes called "hot basil" because of its peppery taste. Chemicals in holy basil are thought to decrease pain and swelling. They also might lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Holy basil oil might act as an antioxidant.
People use holy basil for anxiety, stress, diabetes, high cholesterol, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.
Don't confuse holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) with basil (Ocimum basilicum), which is very commonly used in cooking.
Holy basil is sometimes called "hot basil" because of its peppery taste. Chemicals in holy basil are thought to decrease pain and swelling. They also might lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Holy basil oil might act as an antioxidant.
People use holy basil for anxiety, stress, diabetes, high cholesterol, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.
Don't confuse holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) with basil (Ocimum basilicum), which is very commonly used in cooking.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Holy basil is possibly safe when used short-term. Holy basil leaf extract has been safely used at a dose of 500 mg daily for 60-90 days. Taking holy basil might cause nausea or diarrhea. There isn't enough reliable information available to know if it is safe to use long-term.
When applied to the skin: Holy basil is possibly safe when used as a mouthwash, short-term.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if holy basil is safe to use during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Hypothyroidism: People with hypothyroidism have low levels of the thyroid hormone called thyroxine. Holy basil might lower thyroxine levels. In theory, this could worsen hypothyroidism.
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.
When applied to the skin: Holy basil is possibly safe when used as a mouthwash, short-term.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Holy basil is possibly unsafe when taken during pregnancy or when trying to become pregnant. In animals, large doses of holy basil seem to reduce the chance of getting pregnant or having a full-length pregnancy. It is not known if this happens in humans. Stay on the safe side and avoid using.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if holy basil is safe to use during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Hypothyroidism: People with hypothyroidism have low levels of the thyroid hormone called thyroxine. Holy basil might lower thyroxine levels. In theory, this could worsen hypothyroidism.
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.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using holy basil for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
Holy basil has most often been used by adults in doses of 500 mg daily, for 1.5-3 months. A 4% holy basil leaf extract mouthwash has also been used twice daily for 30 days. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose or product might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Holy basil might lower blood sugar levels. Taking holy basil along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Holy basil might slow blood clotting. Taking holy basil along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
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.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Holy basil might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Holy basil might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Holy basil might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
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Per 3.5 g (Chocolate):
- Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy basil) ext. 105 mg equiv. ursolic acid 2.1 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 125 mg
- Tanacetum parthenium ext. 25 mg
- Curcumin (Turmeric) 10 mg
- Dimethyl sulfone (MSM) 60 mg
- Lavandula angustifolia ext. 100 mg
- Theobroma cacao ext. 520 mg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 117.94 mg
- L-leucine 100 mg
- Magnesium citrate 705.74 mg equiv. magnesium 80 mg
- Inositol 100 mg
- Cholecalciferol 12.5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 500 IU
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 18.51 mg equiv. thiamine 15 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 15 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 30.39 mg equiv. pyridoxine 25 mg
- Folic acid 150 μg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 50 μg
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Per tablet:
- Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy basil) ext. 250 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 20 mg equiv. pyridoxine 12.76 mg
- Mecobalamin (Vitamin B12) 300 µg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 632 µg equiv. levomefolic acid 300 µg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 20 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 20 mg equiv. riboflavin 14.64 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 50 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 45.88 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 25.42 mg equiv. thiamine 20 mg
- Biotin 300 µg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 250 mg
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Per 7 g:
- Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy basil) ext. 125 mg
- Magnesium citrate 1.61 g equiv. magnesium 249.2 mg
- Magnesium glycinate dihydrate 438.62 mg equiv. magnesium 50 mg
- Taurine 1.5 g
- Glycine 1.5 g
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 31.4 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 28.7 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 12.2 mg equiv. pyridoxine 10 mg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 336 μg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 7.3 mg equiv. thiamine 5.7 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 8.3 mg equiv. riboflavin 6.3 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 5.5 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 271.3 μg equiv. folinic acid 250 μg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 7.8 mg equiv. pyridoxine 5 mg
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Per capsule:
- Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy basil) ext. 80 mg
- Alpinia galanga ext. 150 mg
- Bacopa monnieri ext. 150 mg
- Ilex paraguariensis ext. 250 mg
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Practitioner product
Per 6 g:
- Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy basil)
- Magnesium citrate
- Magnesium glycinate
- Fragaria ananassa (juice) powder (Strawberry)
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai)
- Aristotelia chilensis (Maqui berry)
- Garcinia mangostana (fruit) powder
- Lycium barbarum (fruit)
- Glycine
- Magnesium orotate
- Potassium citrate
- Taurine
- L-glutamine
- Coconut water powder
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot)
- Calcium citrate
- Natural strawberry flavour
- Levocarnitine tartrate (L-carnitine)
- Curry leaf extract
- Psidium guajava (Guava)
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Phyllanthus emblica
- Bixa orellana
- Malic acid
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Zinc citrate dihydrate
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Folic acid
- Thaumatin
- Punica granatum
- Rubus idaeus (fruit) powder
Practitioner product
Per 30 g (Double Choc):
- Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy basil)
- Golden pea protein (sprout) bio-fermented
- Oryza sativa (Brown rice protein)
- Oryza sativa milk powder (Brown rice)
- Natural flavours
- Arctic sea algae
- Linseed
- Apple pectin
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Curry leaf extract
- Psidium guajava (Guava)
- Phyllanthus emblica
- Bixa orellana (seed)
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30)
- Thaumatin
- Theobroma cacao (Cocoa powder)
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Per 10 g (Berry):
- Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy basil)
- Beta vulgaris powder
- Lithothamnion tophiforme (Red algae)
- Phyllanthus emblica
- Glycine
- Curry leaf extract
- Psidium guajava (Guava)
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Bixa orellana
- Soy lecithin
- Aristotelia chilensis (Maqui berry)
- Adansonia digitata (Baobab)
- Choline bitartrate
- Rosa canina powder
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Amaranth powder
- Millet (sprout)
- Quinoa powder
- Larix spp.
- Coconut water powder
- Cysteine hydrochloride
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (Vitamin E)
- Inositol
- Natural blackcurrant flavour
- Mushroom powder
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Thaumatin
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain)
- Magnesium phosphate tribasic
- Zinc sulphate monohydrate
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Sodium molybdate
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Natural raspberry flavour
- Natural cranberry flavour
- Chlorella vulgaris powder
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Fagopyrum esculentum powder
- Salvia hispanica (seed) powder
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