Holy Basil
CLINICAL STUDIES ON THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS:
The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Abstract
This systematic review evaluates 24 human clinical studies on tulsi (holy basil), focusing on its therapeutic effects on metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, immunity, and neurocognition. The review confirms favorable clinical outcomes, including reduced stress, improved metabolic parameters, and enhanced cognitive function, with no significant adverse events reported. However, it notes limitations such as small study sizes and the need for further research to clarify dosage, mechanisms, and long-term safety. The study emphasizes tulsi’s role in Ayurvedic medicine and its potential for managing lifestyle-related chronic diseases.
Source: Jamshidi N., Cohen M. The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature. School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2017 Mar 16. PMCID: PMC5376420, PMID: 28400848, DOI: 10.1155/2017/9217567
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Investigating the Effects of an Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) Extract (HolixerTM) on Stress, Mood, and Sleep in Adults Experiencing Stress
Abstract
Several recent studies suggest that vitamin C (ascorbic acid [AA]) status may be altered in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). We measured the AA content of mononuclear leukocytes (MM-AA) as an indicator of tissue vitamin C status in adults with IDDM and nondiabetic adults matched for age and sex. Dietary vitamin C intake and plasma AA were analyzed to ensure that vitamin C availability was adequate. Dietary vitamin C intakes were above recommendations and were not different between the groups. MN-AA was reduced by 33% on average (P < .05) in adults with IDDM (1.75 μg/mg total protein [TP]) when compared with nondiabetics (2.60 μg/mg TP). When MN-AA is indexed to the dietary vitamin C intake (), the storage deficit in adults with IDDM averages 50% (P < .05). This observation suggests an impaired tissue AA storage in adults with IDDM and supports the theory that intracellular scurvy contributes to the chronic degenerative complications of the disease.
Source: Cunningham, John J., et al. “Reduced mononuclear leukocyte ascorbic acid content in adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus consuming adequate dietary vitamin C.” Metabolism 40.2 (1991): 146-149.
The Glucose/Insulin System and Vitamin C: Implications in Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Abstract
This 2022 study investigates the effects of a standardized holy basil extract (HolixerTM, 125 mg twice daily) over 8 weeks in adults experiencing stress. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=100) found significant reductions in perceived stress (via Perceived Stress Scale) and improvements in subjective sleep quality, with reduced hair cortisol levels. The study suggests holy basil’s anti-stress and potential sleep-enhancing effects, though objective sleep measures require further validation.
Source: Lopresti A. L., Smith S. J., Metse A. P., Drummond P. D. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of an Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) extract (HolixerTM) on stress, mood, and sleep in adults experiencing stress. 02 September 2022. Doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.965130
Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) Leaf Extract Enhances Specific Cognitive Parameters in Healthy Adult Volunteers: A Placebo Controlled Study
Abstract
This study evaluates the cognitive and stress-relieving effects of 300 mg ethanolic leaf extract of holy basil (EtOS) versus placebo in healthy adults over 30 days. Results showed significant improvements in cognitive parameters (reaction time and error rates in Sternberg and Stroop tests) in the EtOS group compared to placebo. The study suggests holy basil has potential cognition-enhancing properties in humans, though it notes the need for larger trials to confirm findings.
Source: Sampath S., Mahapatra S. C., Padhi M. M., Sharma R., Talwar A. Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) leaf extract enhances specific cognitive parameters in healthy adult volunteers: A placebo controlled study. 2015 Jan-Mar. PMID: 26571987
Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) Lowers Fasting Glucose and Improves Lipid Profile in Adults with Metabolic Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Abstract
This meta-analysis reviews randomized controlled trials up to August 2017 to assess holy basil’s effects on metabolic syndrome parameters. It found that tulsi significantly lowered fasting blood glucose (pooled mean difference: −15.69, 95% CI: −28.67 to −2.70) and, in older adults (≥40 years) with metabolic disease, reduced total, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol at doses ≥1 g/day. The study highlights tulsi’s potential for managing metabolic disorders but notes high heterogeneity and the need for further research.
Source: Jamshidi N., Costa C., Cohen M. Holy basil (tulsi) lowers fasting glucose and improves lipid profile in adults with metabolic disease: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. June 2018. Doing: 10.1016/j.jff.2018.03.030
A Review on Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum L.)
Abstract
This comprehensive review details the chemical constituents (phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, essential oils) and pharmacological activities of holy basil, including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and radioprotective effects. Over 60 compounds are identified, with activities like eugenol’s antimicrobial properties and ursolic acid’s antitumor potential. The review underscores the need for systematic studies to bridge traditional uses with modern applications and address research gaps in standardization and clinical validation.
Source: Singh D., Chaudhuri P. K. A review on phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum L.). August 2018. Doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.03.048
Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) – A Comprehensive Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemical Composition, Medicinal Properties, and Future Directions
Abstract
This 2023 review compiles evidence on holy basil’s traditional uses, phytochemical composition, and medicinal properties. It highlights antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects, supported by in vitro, in vivo, and limited human studies. The review discusses holy basil’s potential in managing diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and stress-related disorders, with eugenol as a key active compound. Safety considerations indicate minimal side effects, but the review emphasizes the need for further clinical trials to establish standardized dosages and long-term safety.
Source: Thakur A. 28. Holy Basil (Ocimum Sanctum) – A Comprehensive Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemical Composition, Medicinal Properties and Future Directions. July 2023. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension 3(11):136 - 151
Effect of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) Supplementation on Metabolic Parameters and Liver Enzymes in Young Overweight and Obese Subjects
Abstract
Ocimum sanctum Linn. (also known as Tulsi) is a sacred Indian plant, the beneficial role of which, in obesity and diabetes is described traditionally. This is a randomized, parallel group, open label pilot study to investigate the effect of O. sanctum on metabolic and biochemical parameters in thirty overweight/obese subjects, divided into two groups A and B. Group A (n = 16) received one 250 mg capsule of Tulsi (O. sanctum) extract twice daily in empty stomach for 8 weeks and group B (n = 14) received no intervention. Statistically significant improvements in the values of serum triglycerides (p = 0.019); low density lipoprotein (p = 0.001); high density lipoprotein (p = 0.001); very low density lipoprotein (p = 0.019); Body Mass Index, BMI (p = 0.005); plasma insulin (p = 0.021) and insulin resistance (p = 0.049) were observed after 8 weeks in the O. sanctum intervention group. The improvement in HDL-C in the intervention group when compared to the control group was also statistically significant (p = 0.037). There was no significant alteration of the liver enzymes SGOT and SGPT in both the intervention (p = 0.141; p = 0.074) and control arms (p = 0.102; p = 0.055) respectively. These observations clearly indicate the beneficial effects of O. sanctum on various biochemical parameters in young overweight/obese subjects.
Source: Satapathy S., Das N., Bandyopadhyay D., Mahapatra S. C., Sahu D. S., Meda M. Effect of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) Supplementation on Metabolic Parameters and Liver Enzymes in Young Overweight and Obese Subjects. 2016 Sep 16;32(3):357–363. doi: 10.1007/s12291-016-0615-4. PMCID: PMC5539010, PMID: 28811698
Efficacy of an Extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum (OciBest) in the Management of General Stress: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Abstract
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of OciBest, an extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn. in symptomatic control of general stress. The participants received either placebo (n = 79) or OciBest (n = 71; 1200 mg of actives per day) for six weeks. The severity of stress-related symptoms was self-evaluated by patients at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6 of the trial period using a symptom rating scale. After six weeks of intervention, scores of symptoms such as forgetfulness, sexual problems of recent origin, frequent feeling of exhaustion, and frequent sleep problems of recent origin decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in OciBest group as compared with placebo group. Also, the total symptom scores of OciBest group revealed significant reduction (P ≤ 0.05) as compared to placebo group. The overall improvement in OciBest group was found to be 1.6 times or 39% more in the control of general stress symptoms with respect to placebo. No adverse events were reported during the study. The findings revealed that OciBest was found to be effective and well tolerated by all the patients over the six weeks of study period.
Source: Saxena R, Singh R, Kumar P, Singh Negi M, Saxena V, Geetharani P, Allan J, Venkateshwarlu K. Efficacy of an Extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum (OciBest) in the Management of General Stress: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011 Oct 3;2012:894509. PMCID: PMC3185238, PMID: 21977056, DOI: 10.1155/2012/894509
Antimicrobial and Immunomodulatory effects of Ocimum Sanctum (Shyama Tulsi) against Infectious Bursal disease virus infections in chicken as Model
Abstract
In the present study, using infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) infection in broiler chickens as a model, the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects of the two preparations viz., dried leaves powder and essential oil of the Ocimum sanctum (Shyama Tulsi) medicinal plant were evaluated. Birds were treated with predetermined safe dose of dried leaves powder @ 200 mg/bird daily and essential oil @10 μl/bird daily orally over a period of 25 days and infected experimentally at day 5 with 1 X 10⁵ TCID₅₀ dose of Georgia strain of IBDV. A reduction in viral replication in the target organ viz. bursa of Fabricius was observed in the birds treated with dried leaves powder as evidenced by marked reduction in gross and microscopic lesions of IBD and the reduced virus titre in bursa. In these birds, immunopotentiation as measured by increase in skin thickness for contact hypersensitivity response was also observed. However, the birds treated with dried leaves powder showed markedly lower antibody responses as measured by serum neutralization test and ELISA. This may be due to accelerated virus clearance in these chickens mediated through generalized enhanced cell mediated immune response. On the other hand, the birds treated with essential oil showed some toxic effects as evidenced by hemorrhages on thigh muscles. Thus the dried leaves powder of O. sanctum has the potentials to be effectively utilized as a feed supplement against some of the important poultry pathogens particularly IBDV, since it was found to inhibit the virus replication in vivo. However, the field applications of Ocimum sanctum will depend upon the results of studies in a larger population of birds and the outcome of similar studies against a number of other important pathogens of poultry.
Source: Gupta G. Antimicrobial and Immunomodulatory effects of Ocimum Sanctum (Shyama Tulsi) against Infectious Bursal disease virus infections in chicken as Model. January 2005.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5376420/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.965130/full
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26571987/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1756464618301166
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926669018302711
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372556755_28_Holy_Basil_Ocimum_Sanctum-_A_Comprehensive_Review_of_Traditional_Uses_Phytochemical_Composition_Medicinal_Properties_and_Future_Directions
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5539010/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3185238/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263655463_Antimicrobial_and_Immunomodulatory_effects_of_Ocimum_Sanctum_Shyama_Tulsi_against_Infectious_Bursal_disease_virus_infections_in_chicken_as_Model