Monograph: Holy Basil - Ocimum Tenuliflorum - Leaf

Date: 2018-12-18

NHPID name

Ocimum tenuiflorum ( Germplasm Resources Information Network Taxonomy )

Proper name(s)

Ocimum tenuiflorum ( ITIS 2011 , USDA 2007 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )

Common name(s)

• Holy basil ( USDA 2007 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Rama tulsi ( USDA 2007 , McGuffin et al. 2000 , API 1999 )
• Sacred basil ( USDA 2007 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Tulsi ( USDA 2007 , McGuffin et al. 2000 , API 1999 )

Source material

Leaf ( API 1999 , Agrawal et al. 1996 )

Route Of administration

Oral

Dosage form(s)

• The acceptable pharmaceutical dosage forms include, but are not limited to capsules, chewables (e.g. gummies, tablets), liquids, powders, strips or tablets.
• This monograph is not intended to include foods or food-like dosage forms such as bars, chewing gums or beverages.

Use(s) or purpose(s)

Statement(s) to the effect of:

General

• Traditionally used in Ayurveda (as an expectorant and/or demulcent) to help relieve cough (Kasa) and colds.  (Premila 2006, Paranjpe 2005, Sudarshan 2005, Mishra 2004, Williamson 2002, Kapoor 2001, Gogte 2000, API 1999, Jain 1991)
• Traditionally used in Ayurveda (as an expectorant and/or demulcent) to help relieve cough (Kasa) and colds and respiratory mucus buildup (catarrh).  (Unavailable)
• Used in Herbal Medicine as an adaptogen to help increase energy and resistance to stress (in case of mental and physical fatigue related to stress).  (McIntyre 2011, Winston and Maimes 2007, Hoffman 2003, Williamson 2003)
• Source of/Provides antioxidants.  (Hakkim et al. 2007, Winston and Maimes 2007, Williamson 2003)
• Traditionally used in Ayurveda (as an expectorant) to help relieve respiratory mucus buildup (catarrh).  (Premila 2006, Paranjpe 2005, Sudarshan 2005, Mishra 2004, Williamson 2002, Kapoor 2001, Gogte 2000, API 1999, Jain 1991)
• Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a cardiotonic (Hrdya).  (Paranjpe 2005, Sudarshan 2005, Murthy 2004, Warrier 2003, Williamson 2002, Gogte 2000, API 1999)
• Traditionally used in Ayurveda to aid digestion (Dipani) and stimulate appetite (stomachic).  (Paranjpe 2005, Murthy 2004, Warrier 2003, Kapoor 2001, Gogte 2000, API 1999, Khory 1999, Jain 1991)

Dose(s)

Adults:

Duration of use

No statement is required

Risk information

Statement(s) to the effect of:

Caution(s) and Warning(s):

• Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/ physician prior to use if you are breastfeeding, have a heart condition or diabetes.  (WHO 2002)
• Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/ physician prior to use if you are taking any heart or blood pressure medication.  (Rai et al. 1997, Agrawal et al. 1996)
• Relief of cough; null; Adaptogen; Expectorant; Digestive aid: Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician if symptoms persist or worsen.

Contraindication(s): Do not use this product if you are pregnant.  (Prakash et al. 2005, Ahmed et al. 2002, WHO 2002, Wohlmuth 2002, Kapoor 2001) Known Adverse Reaction(s): No statement is required

Non-medicinal ingredients

Must be chosen from the current Natural health products ingredients database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.

Specifications

• The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the NHPD Quality of natural health products guide.
• The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the Natural health products ingredient database (NHPID).
• The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID).

References cited

• Agrawal P, Rai V, Singh RB. Randomized placebo-controlled, single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1996;34(9):406-409.
• Ahmed A, Ahamed RN, Aladakatti RH, Ghoseawar MG. Reversible antifertility effect of benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum on sperm parameters and fructose content in rats. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2002;13:51-59.
• API 1999: The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. 1st edition, Part I, Volume I. Delhi (IN): The Controller of Publications; 1999.
• Gogte VVM. Ayurvedic Pharmacology and Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants. Mubai (IN): Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan; 2000.
• Hakkim FL, Shankar CG, Girija S. Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Property of Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum L.) Leaves, Stems, and Inflorescence and Their in Vitro Callus Cultures. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2007;55(22):9109-9117.
• Hoffmann D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester (VT): Healing Arts Press; 2000.
• Jain SK, DeFillips RA. Medicinal Plants of India. Volume 1. Algonac (MI): Reference Publications, Inc; 1991.
• Kapoor LD. Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants. Baton Roca (FL): CRC Press LLC; 2001.
• Khory RN, Katrak NN. Materia Medica of India and their Therapeutics. Delhi (IN): Komal Prakashan; 1999 [Reprint of 1903 publication].
• McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. Herbs of Commerce. 2nd edition. Silver Spring (MD): American Herbal Products Association; 2000.
• McIntyre A. Le guide complet de la phytothérapie. Paris (FR) : Le Courrier du Livre; 2011.
• Mishra LC, editor. Scientific Basis for Ayurvedia Therapies. Baton Roca (FL): CRC Press LLC; 2004.
• Murthy KRS. Bhāvaprakāśa of Bhāvamiśra. Volume 1. Varanasi (IN): Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy; 2004.
• Paranjpe P. Indian Medicinal Plants: Forgotten Healers: A Guide to Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine. Delhi (IN): Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan; 2005.
• Prakash P, Gupta N. Therapeutic uses of Ocimum sanctum Linn (Tulsi) with a note on eugenol and its pharmacological actions: A short review. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2005;49(2):125-131.
• Premila MS. Ayurvedic herbs: A clinical guide to the healing plants of traditional Indian medicine. New York (NY): The Haworth Press Inc; 2006.
• Rai V, Iyer U, Mani UV. Effect of Ocimum sanctum leaf powder on blood lipoproteins, glycated proteins and total amino acids in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. 1997;7(2):133-118.
• Sudarshan SR. Encyclopaedia of Indian Medicine, Materia Medica - Herbal Drugs. Volume 4. Banglore (IN): Popular Prakashan; 2005.
• USDA 2007: ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Ocimum tenuiflorum L. Last updated: 29-Oct-2007; Accessed 2012 July 27]. Available from http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl
• Warrier PK, Nambiar VPK, Ramankutty C, editors. Indian Medicinal Plants: a compendium of 500 species. Volume 4. Chennai (IN): Orient Longman Private Limited; 2003.
• WHO 2002: World Health Organization. WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, Volume 2. Geneva (CH): World Health Organization; 2002.
• Williamson EM, editor. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh (GB): Churchill Livingstone; 2002.
• Williamson EM. Potter's Herbal Cyclopaedia: The Authoritative Reference work on Plants with a Known Medical Use. Saffron Walden (GB): The C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 2003.
• Winston D, Maimes S. Adaptogens: Herbs for strength, stamina and stress relief. Healing Arts Press; Rochester (VT); 2007.
• Wohlmuth H. Sacred basil - an Ayurvedic adaptogen. Botanical Pathways, 2002; Issue 11.

References reviewed

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