The Sacred Basil...Tulsi

Closely related to culinary basil, tulsi (Ocimum sanctum,?a.k.a.?holy basil) is a medicinal herb used in?Ayurveda?that is native to India and Southeast Asia. Tulsi is considered an adaptogenic herb, meaning it can help adapt the body to stress and boost energy. In alternative medicine, tulsi is typically used for?anxiety, stress, and fatigue, and may be used in herbal formulations to help treat?asthma,?bronchitis,?colds, and?the?flu.

Tulsi is available in capsules, tinctures, powders, and as an herbal tea.

Health Benefits

Tulsi contains several beneficial compounds including:

• Eugenol:?A terpene with pain-relieving properties
• Ursolic and rosmarinic acid:?Compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties
• Apigenin:?A flavonoid that helps the body removes waste at the cellular level
• Lutein:?An antioxidant carotenoid?important for eye health
• Ocimumosides A and B:?Compounds that reduce stress and balance the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine

To date, very few studies have looked at tulsi's effects on human health. It's too soon to recommend tulsi as a treatment for any condition, but here's a look at what benefits preliminary research suggests that the herb may offer.

Anxiety

As an adaptogen, research suggests tulsi may relieve anxiety and improve moods. Several animal and laboratory have shown its effectiveness, but few clinical trials have been done.

In a 2008 study of 35 adults with generalized anxiety disorder, researchers found that taking tulsi in capsule form twice daily for 60 days significantly reduced levels of anxiety. Subjects also reported feeling lower levels of stress and depression.

A 2015 placebo-controlled trial of healthy adults found tulsi may ease stress and improve cognitive functions like reaction time.

High Cholesterol

Tulsi may help keep?cholesterol?in check, according to a 2006 study on rabbits. Although the study showed that tulsi had significant cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant effects, results also found the herb had no effect on?diabetes.

An earlier study, however, found tulsi lowered blood sugar in rats.

The results of animal studies cannot be reliably translated to humans. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of tulsi.

Metabolic Syndrome

A 2017 literature review published in the journal?Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine?found tulsi shows promise in preventing a treating lifestyle-related chronic diseases, including diabetes,?metabolic syndrome, and psychological stress.

The review of 24 studies that reported on the therapeutic effects of tulsi on metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, immunity, and neurocognition found favorable clinical outcomes without any significant side effects. The researchers note, however, that more studies are needed to clarify the beneficial dosage for different populations.

There is mounting evidence that tulsi can address physical, chemical, metabolic and psychological stress through a unique combination of pharmacological actions.

Tulsi has been found to protect organs and tissues against chemical stress from industrial pollutants and heavy metals, and physical stress from prolonged physical exertion, ischemia, physical restraint and exposure to cold and excessive noise.

Tulsi has also been shown to counter metabolic stress through normalization of blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid levels, and psychological stress through positive effects on memory and cognitive function and through its anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties.

Tulsi's broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, which includes activity against a range of human and animal pathogens, suggests it can be used as a hand sanitizer, mouthwash and water purifier as well as in animal rearing, wound healing, the preservation of food stuffs and herbal raw materials and traveler's health.