Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Ocimum
sanctum, Ocimum gratissimum
Fracking Diviners Trader Joe's/Aldi's
Exposed! Army
That Poisons Together Metastasizes Together Frost-Hardy
Avocados Hollywood MSM Disease-Resistant Tomatoes Amrita Kapoor Krishna (Shyama) Rama Vana (text descriptions, identification pictures below)... Some plants and some herbs are exceptionally weak
(safe). Tulsi (Holy Basil) should not be taken by persons on some types of
medications and/or persons with certain health ailments. So, ask your physician
before trying any strain of Holy Basil. Caveat emptor, Holy Basil is both Ocimum tenuiflorum (old name Ocimum sanctum) or Ocimum gratissimum, culinary Basil is Ocimum
basilica. The two former plants are powerful medicinal herbs that could and
would be damaging if abused or overused. The latter plant is a culinary herb
used liberally in cooking, salads, etc. The two categories should not be
confused. Some people drink 3-5 cups of Tulsi Tea per day, while other's choice
would be one (1) Tulsi Teabag per day, 1-1.5 cups per day (unless perhaps a
physician directs you otherwise). Tulsi has been found a chief source of many
biologically active compounds like ursolic acid,
eugenol, rosmarinic acid, linalool, 1,8-cineole, carvacrol, and β
caryophyllene and these compounds play a significant role in the treatment and
prevention of many diseases (Almatroodi, Alsahli, Almatroudi, & Rahmani, 2020).
From Livestrong.com, "Holy basil is revered
among Ayurvedic practitioners, dubbed the "elixir of life" in ancient
Ayurvedic texts, says the Journal of Plant Medicines. It grows in warm, tropical
regions and mountain regions up to 6,000 feet in elevation. Although holy basil shares some commonalities with
culinary basil, their genetic sequences differ, adds the Journal of Plant
Medicines. Certain compounds in holy basil, including eugenol and
sesquiterpenoids like beta-caryophyllene, contribute to a pungent quality of
holy basil. Holy basil contains several other medically active
compounds, including oleanolic acid, ursolic acid,
carvacrol, linalool, rosmarinic acid, myretenal, luteolin, and germacrene D, says the Journal of
Plant Medicines. Holy basil is also packed with calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, vitamin C and Chlorophyl. Read more: Health Benefits of Tulsi Tea Benefits of Holy Basil Ancient Ayurvedic texts advise using holy basil to
treat many different ailments, according to the Journal of Plant Medicines.
Some of those include: In an October–December 2014 article, the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (J-AIM) notes that many of holy basil's benefits
are attributable to its ability to assist in detoxifying the body and
protecting it from toxin-induced damage. These functions may be due to holy
basil's high content of phenolic compounds. Holy basil may also help to increase the body's
levels of important antioxidants, such as glutathione, and enhance the activity
of antioxidant enzymes, says J-AIM. It works to prevent cancers caused by toxic
compounds by reducing damage to DNA. Meanwhile, holy basil helps the body to more
effectively rid itself of toxic compounds via liver detoxification enzymes —
whether the toxins are produced within the body or absorbed via environmental
pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, radiation, and other
external sources. Unlike caffeine-containing substances like coffee and tea, which may cause physical or
mental agitation or physical dependency, holy basil is non-addictive and will
not produce withdrawal effects, adds J-AIM. The tulsi plant is a
staple in Hindu households, with every part of the tulsi
plant considered sacred, including its leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds, oil,
and even the soil in which it grows, says J-AIM. Its clove-like aroma,
resulting from its eugenol content, is said to link a householder to the divine
while also repelling mosquitoes, flies, and other pests. Holy Basil and Cortisol Called "liquid yoga" by J-AIM,
holy basil is comparable to a regular yoga practice, providing adaptogenic benefits that have a calming effect on the mind
and body. Consuming holy basil may lead to clearer thoughts, a more relaxed
disposition, enhanced cognitive function, and improved memory. Finding ways to combat stress is more important than
you might think. When you're under stress, your body releases a surge of
hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline, from the adrenal glands, which sit
on top of your kidneys. Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates blood
pressure, and boosts energy supplies, while cortisol increases sugars in the
bloodstream and boosts the availability of substances that repair tissues, says
the Mayo Clinic. Over time, however, repeated activation of this
stress-response system and overexposure to stress hormones can be problematic.
With increased cortisol, you're at an increased risk for anxiety, depression,
digestive problems, headaches, heart disease, weight gain, sleep disturbances, and other health problems, explains
the Mayo Clinic. By incorporating holy basil into your diet, you may
be able to combat some of the effects of stress. Indeed, holy basil may help
lower levels of stress and regulate blood sugar, says the Parkinson's Resource Organization (PRO)." Ocimum tenuiflorum, commonly known as Holy
Basil, Tulsi, or Tulsi, is an aromatic perennial plant in the family of Lamiaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and
widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian tropics. Tulsi
in Hindi or Tulasi in Sanskrit (holy basil in
English) is a highly revered culinary and medicinal aromatic herb from the
family Lamiaceae that is indigenous to the Indian
subcontinent and has been used within Ayurvedic medicine for more than 3000
years. Ocimum gratissimum, also known as clove
basil, African basil, and in Hawaii as wild basil, is a species of Ocimum. It is native to Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia,
and the Bismarck Archipelago, and naturalized in Polynesia, Hawaii, Mexico,
Panama, West Indies, Brazil, and Bolivia. Holy Basil (Tulsi Tea) has had dozens of health claims made about it, as well as Scholarly Studies
of Holy Basil's anti-oxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties. Since
COVID-19, many papers have been written about Tulsi as an immuno-modulator and about the Science within the 5,000 years of
Sacredness. Amrita - (Tea basil from Amritapuri, most
closely resembling Rama Tulsi*) Perennial tea basil originally from India. An
outstanding cultivar for producing the true tropical-type Tulsi tea (as opposed
to tea of temperate Tulsi). Amrita Tulsi makes larger plants than the other
types, with excellent vigor and yield. Kapoor - Unique, spicy aroma with hints of coffee and chocolate. Compact
but very full, attractive plants. Mild spicy aroma with hints of sweetness.
Faster growing than green holy basil and its purple flowers also make it a nice
beneficial and/or ornamental. For teas, culinary, and medicinal use. Very good
resistance to downy mildew. Also known as "Spice Basil" and often
referred to as Ocimum sanctum, although sanctum was
once but is not now botanically correct. Ht. 12-18". Krishna (Shyama) - (Tea basil from India, Shyama Tulasi,
Krishna Tulsi, Krsna Tulsi) Perennial tea basil
originally from India. An outstanding cultivar for producing the true tropical
type Tulsi tea (as opposed to tea of temperate Tulsi). Leaves dark purple. Many
people prefer this dark-colored cultivar. According to ancient folklore, the
Tulsi (Tulasi) plant is a manifestation of the Divine
Mother on Earth, for the benefit of all creation. Tastes good and provides
gentle stimulation to the body, mind, and spirit. Growing Tea Basils brings
many blessings to the household! The tea made from this plant is very
satisfying, with taste and aroma most appealing. Traditional usage (Ayurveda):
stress, anxiety, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and dementia. Rama - Rama
Tulsi is also known as Sri or Lakshmi Tulasi, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Ocimum sanctum, and green leaf Tulsi (Basil). The Rama tulsi emits a strong aroma from every part. It is also
found in Eastern Nepal, Brazil, and China, as well as in Bengal, Bihar, and Chatgaon. Rama Tulsi is widely famous for its cooling
taste. Vana - It
is native to India, Sri Lanka, Java, and the northern and eastern parts of
Africa. The scientific name of Vana Tulsi is Ocimum gratissimum. It can grow up to 2m high with highly aromatic
and slightly hairy green leaves. The strong antioxidant activity of Vana Tulsi
slows down the aging process. Drinking one medium-strong cup of Holy Basil Tea at
3:00 PM is a great stress ameliorator, even later at bedtime one will sleep
like a baby and wake up very refreshed. Tulsi Tea is not a drug one gets high
on, it just makes you feel healthy and happy, in a way that other herbs and
substances do not. One feels both relaxed and energized, more focused and
mindful as one is not stressed about almost anything. Animal studies saw significant changes in rabbits'
fat molecules when they ate fresh holy basil leaves. They had lower “bad”
cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) and higher “good” cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol).
One animal study found that the oil in holy basil (eugenol) lowers
stress-induced cholesterol levels. The triterpenoic acids
found in Tulsi effectively improve the body's stress response, which can also
support cognition and decision-making. In addition to the stress-fighting and
cognition-supporting properties, Tulsi is also a powerful antioxidant that can
help you stay healthy and on top of your game. From Sciencedirect.com, "Ocimum sanctum Linn.
commonly known as Holy Basil or Tulsi is an Ayurvedic herb of Southeast Asia
with a long history of traditional use. The culinary, medicinal, and industrial
importance of this plant led to exploring its chemical and pharmacological
properties. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of scientific findings of
O. sanctum chemical constituents and their related anticancer, antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory, antistress, γ-irradiation protection, antidiabetic and antileishmanicidal activities. More than 60 chemical
compounds have been reported from O. sanctum, including phenolics, flavonoids,
phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, fatty acid derivatives, essential oil, fixed oil,
and steroids. The pharmacological activities of O. sanctum compounds reflect
their medicinal importance and in the standardization of medicinal products.
This compilation will be helpful in the development of new active principles
and nutraceuticals in the area of drug resistance and emerging chronic disease
vectors." Every day, millions of people in Africa, India, and
Sri Lanka drink Holy Basil (Tulsi) Tea, they and their ancestors have been
drinking Tulsi Tea for about 5,000 years. In the West, the first thing most
people ask, is "is it safe, is it poison?" Nobody asks if Big Pharma
is safe if it is poison. The millions of Tea drinkers of Holy Basil for 5,000
years is much more impressive than Big Pharma and their Opioid Crisis. Amrita Kapoor Krishna (Shyama) Rama Vana (Gratissima) Queen of Herbs,” “The Incomparable One,” and “The Mother Medicine of Nature and Divine Mother On Earth for the benefit of all Creation ~ Tulsi Plant, Tulsi Tea Super-Health Foods (Food or Tea): Chili, Ginger, Oregano, Turmeric, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Sage and Lemon Balm ===================== Medicinal Teas Brain Booster Herbs, Anti-Aging (some of these these are Herbal Meds, not ICE-Tea for guests): Holy Basil Bacopa monnieri (Bacopa improves Brain Function) Ginko biloba Lemon Balm Sage Cinnamon Turmeric - Combats Depression and Inflammation, Sub for Blood Thinners Stevia *NOT* Ashwaganda (NOT!) can potentially make Lupus, MS, etc., flare-up, avoid taking Ashwaganda. ====================== Tea (may be blended or brewed singular) Immuno-Herbs, Adaptogens Holy Basil, aka Tulsi, Tulasi :) - Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum gratissimum Rose Hips Garlic Star Anise Mulethi (Licorice) Agastache foeniculum Thai Basil or any dark red/black cultivar ====================== Tea Vatha tea: Cloves, Ginger, Cinnamon, Licorice, Stevia. Pitha tea: Ginger, Cardamon, Fennel, Roses, Licorice, Stevia. Kapha tea: Cloves, Cinnamon, Licorice, Ginger, Cardamon, Black Pepper. Variations are Pink Cracked Pepper, Thai Lime Leaf, Agastache foeniculum leaf. Sources: Wikipedia... https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/tulsi-amrita-holy-basil-ocimum-sanctum-seeds-organic/ https://www.johnnyseeds.com/herbs/basil/holy-basil/kapoor-tulsi-holy-basil-organic-basil-seed-6021G.html https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/tulsi-krishna-shyam-holy-basil-ocimum-tenuiflorum-packet-of-20-seeds-organic/ https://www.floweraura.com/blog/four-types-of-tulsi-plants-in-india wiseapetea.com healthline.com =============================================================================== Holy Basil Ocimum tenuiflorum (O. sanctum) Family: Lamiaceae ISSUE: Page: 1-6 By INTRODUCTION Holy basil is a perennial or
annual in the mint family that exhibits the square stem and volatile oils
characteristic of its family.1 It is erect, very branched, strongly
aromatic, and mildly hairy.2 Holy basil is native to India and parts
of northern and eastern Africa, Hainan Island, and Taiwan, and grows wild
throughout India and up to an altitude of 5,900 feet (1,800 meters) in the
Himalayas.3-5 In China, it occurs in dry, sandy areas of Hainan and
Sichuan, as well as in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.6 Holy basil is cultivated in
Southeast Asia and also grows abundantly in Australia, West Africa, and some
Arab countries.1,3 In India, the dried leaf, dried seed, and dried
whole plant are used separately in the traditional medicine systems of
Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, as well as in Indian folk medicine. The materials
of commerce are obtained mainly from cultivated sources throughout India.7 HISTORY AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE The genus name, Ocimum, means “fragrant lipped,” and the species name, tenuiflorum, means “slender” or “small flowers.” In India, O.
tenuiflorum is known by a variety of names,
including: tulasi, ajaka, ramatulasi, and vriddhatulasi in
Sanskrit; tulsi, baranda, kalatulsi, and vranda in Hindi; tulsi, tulshi, kalatulsi, and kural in Bengali; tulsi, tulasi, and talasi in Gujarati; tulasi, kalatulasi, karitulasi, sritulasi, and vishnutulasi in
Kannada; tulsi in Konkani; tulasi,
krishnatulasi, and trittavu
in Malayam; tulasa and tulasichajadha in Marathi; tulsi
and bantulsi in Punjabi; tulasi
in Tamil; and tulasi and krishnatulasi
in Telegu.2,4,8 In some circles, the previous Latin binomial, O.
sanctum, is still preferred, as sanctum refers to the historical “holy” status
of the plant. Sorting out the species that are referred to as holy basil can be
confusing. Ocimum tenuiflorum
has at least two varieties: Krishna or Shyama Tulsi (dark
green-to-purple-leaved) and Sri or Rama Tulsi (green-leaved).4,9 A
third variety, Kapoor (or Kapur) Tulsi (also
green-leaved), may or may not be O. tenuiflorum;
some sources surmise that it is O. kilimandscharicum,
native to East Africa.10,11 A separate species, O. gratissimum
(“very grateful basil” or “pleasing basil”), is known as Forest or Vana Tulsi.
Even though it is a different species, O. gratissimum
also is considered sacred in India and is used in the same ways as the O. tenuiflorum varieties.2 Tulsi is one of the principal
herbs used in the Ayurvedic medicine system, in which it is known alternately
as “The Queen of Herbs,” “The Incomparable One,” and “The Mother Medicine of
Nature.”9 It holds a supreme place in the ancient Vedic scriptures
and is integrated into daily life by Hindus through religious worship. Hindu
homes typically have a tulsi plant growing in an
earthen pot in or around the home. In Ayurveda, it is believed that the best
way to take tulsi medicinally is in its raw, fresh,
whole form as a hot-water infusion.9 Tulsi is combined with various
other herbs in Ayurvedic preparations to treat the following conditions and
symptoms: abscesses, abdominal pain, teething-related ailments, anemia,
arthritis, boils, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, catarrh (respiratory tract
inflammation), constipation, coryza (cold), cough, diarrhea due to giardiasis
or amebiasis (both caused by microscopic parasites), dysentery, eye diseases
(topically), headaches, fever (including chronic and malarial fevers),
filariasis (a parasitic disease caused by nematodes), general debility or
weakness, goiter, gonorrhea, hernias, intestinal worms, jaundice, leucoderma (loss of skin pigmentation; applied topically),
loose teeth (as a snuff or mouth lotion), loss of appetite, lumbago (low back
pain), memory enhancement, piles (inflamed hemorrhoids), premature aging and
graying of hair, pulmonary tuberculosis, rheumatism, ringworm (topically),
syphilis, thinness of semen, strangury (painful, frequent urination in small
volume), tubercular lymph nodes, tubercular leprosy, and tumors.2,9,12 Ayurvedic medicine also has
credited holy basil with numerous actions, including the following: adaptogenic, antibacterial, antiperiodic (prevents the
recurrence of disease symptoms), antipyretic/febrifuge (reduces fever),
antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative (relieves intestinal gas), diaphoretic
(promotes sweating), expectorant, nervine, and stimulant.2,9,12,13 There are O. tenuiflorum standards monographs published in the
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (Vol. II, 1999, and Vol. IV, 2004) and Unani
Pharmacopoeia of India (Vol. V, 2008), as well as Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia
(Vol. I, 1995), Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia (1st ed., 1983), and World Health
Organization (WHO) Monographs (Vol. 2, 2002).2 The WHO monograph
lists other uses that are described in pharmacopeias and in traditional systems
of medicine including treatment of arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, common cold,
diabetes, fever, influenza, peptic ulcer, and rheumatism.3 CURRENT AUTHORIZED USES IN
COSMETICS, FOODS, AND MEDICINES In countries where the Ayurvedic
system of medicine is recognized and practiced (e.g., India, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Malaysia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka), the powdered, dried leaf of holy basil
is used therapeutically, depending on the formulation, for treating the
following conditions: acute rhinitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of
the nose), asthma or dyspnea (shortness of breath), hiccups, cough,
tastelessness (inability to differentiate tastes, which may be due to improper
digestion or lack of desire for food), worm infestation, skin diseases,
intercostal neuralgia (pain in the tissue between the ribs), and pleurodynia
(pain in the upper chest [pleural cavity]). Similarly, the dried whole plant
(prepared in juice form) is used to treat asthma or dyspnea, hiccups, cough,
worm infestation, and skin diseases, as well as pleurisy, calculi (stones),
vomiting, and eye diseases.14 The powdered seed also is used,
depending on the formulation in which it occurs, for treatment of acute
rhinitis, asthma or dyspnea, hiccups, cough, skin diseases, tastelessness,
intercostal neuralgia and pleurodynina, as well as
inflammation, intestinal helminths (worm-like parasites), dysuria or painful
urination, foul smell, artificial poisons, hematological diseases, and
parasitic infections.15 In countries where the Unani
system of medicine is recognized and practiced (e.g., Bangladesh, India,
Malaysia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka), holy basil (rehan)
leaf and whole plant are used therapeutically (in dried or juice forms) to
treat amenorrhea, cough, palpitation, and weakness of the stomach.16 In Canada, holy basil leaf and
seed are classified as active ingredients of licensed natural health products
(NHPs) that require pre-marketing authorization from the Natural Health
Products Directorate (NHPD) and must be manufactured in compliance with NHP
good manufacturing practices (GMPs). Authorized uses for holy basil leaf
preparations (powdered leaf, decoctions, infusions, and non-standardized
aqueous extracts) outlined in the NHPD compendial monograph include
“traditionally used in Ayurveda (as an expectorant and/or demulcent) to help
relieve cough (Kasa) and colds,” “traditionally used
in Ayurveda (as an expectorant) to help relieve respiratory catarrh,”
“traditionally used in Ayurveda as a cardiotonic (Hrdya),”
and “traditionally used in Ayurveda to aid digestion (Dipani)
and stimulate appetite (stomachic).”17 The powdered dried seed may be
labeled and marketed in Canada for the following uses: “traditionally used in
Ayurveda (as a demulcent) to help relieve cough (Kasa),”
“traditionally used in Ayurveda as a cardiotonic (Hrdya),”
and “traditionally used in Ayurveda to aid digestion (Dipani).”18 In the United States, holy basil
is not listed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) for use in conventional food products, nor does holy basil
appear in the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) GRAS Notice Inventory
database. Holy basil plant parts are permitted, however, as dietary supplement
components that require FDA notification within 30 days of marketing a product
(if a “structure-function” claim is made), and the product must be manufactured
according to dietary supplement GMPs. In 2012, the United States Pharmacopeial
Convention (USP) published proposed dietary supplement quality standards
monographs for “Holy Basil” (dried leaf) and “Powdered Holy Basil” (pulverized
dried leaf) containing no less than 0.5% triterpenes, calculated as the sum of
oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, and a corresponding
“Powdered Holy Basil Extract” monograph for public consultation and
finalization in 2013. The new USP monographs will be acceptable for use as holy
basil leaf dietary supplement component specifications.19 Concerning use of holy basil in
cosmetic products, the European Commission Health and Consumers Directorate
lists “Ocimum Tenuiflorum
Extract” for skin-conditioning functions, and “Ocimum
Tenuiflorum Oil” (wax obtained from the leaves of
O. tenuiflorum) for emollient (softens and smooths
the skin), hair-conditioning, and skin-conditioning functions.20 MODERN RESEARCH Holy basil contains alkaloids,
carbohydrates, fats, glycosides, phenols, proteins, saponins, tannins, and
terpenes.9 Pharmacological and in vitro laboratory studies have
exhibited adaptogenic, anabolic, anti-asthmatic,
anti-diabetic, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antipyretic,
anti-radiation, anti-stress, calming, cardiac depressant, contraceptive,
hepatoprotective, hypotensive, immunomodulatory, neuro- and cardio-protective,
and mosquito-repelling properties for the plant.9,13 Tulsi is believed to increase
immunity when taken on an empty stomach. In a 2011 double-blind, randomized,
controlled trial, 24 healthy volunteers consumed 300 mg capsules of holy basil
leaves (70% ethanolic extract; Dabur Pharmaceutical Ltd., Ghaziabad, India) or
placebo on empty stomachs every day for four weeks, followed by a three-week
washout period before crossover to the next intervention. The holy basil group
had significantly increased levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, and percentages of T-helper
cells and natural killer (NK) cells, showing holy basil’s immunomodulatory
effects in humans.21 Two double-blind pilot studies in
2009 investigated holy basil and four other Ayurvedic herbs for their reputed
immune-enhancing effect.22 The first study included 32 volunteers
randomized to two treatment groups of 16 each who consumed three cups daily
(over the course of two months) of regular tea or Natural Care tea (Hindustan
Unilever Research Center, Bangalore, India), which contains holy basil (0.5%);
ashwagandha (Withania somnifera,
Solanaceae, 0.5%); licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Fabaceae, 0.5%); ginger
(Zingiber officinale, Zingiberaceae, 1.5%);
and cardamom (Elettaria cardmomum, Zingiberaceae, 1.5%). NK cell activity was measured after
one and two months of tea consumption. While there were no significant changes
in either group at the end of the first month, NK cell activity significantly
increased after two months in the Natural Care tea drinkers but not in the
regular tea group. The second study was a larger,
double-blind, crossover study in which 110 subjects (60 male, 40 female [sic])
were assigned randomly to two groups.22 Each group consumed three
cups of tea (Natural Care or regular [Camellia sinensis, Theaceae]) per day for two months. NK cell activity was
measured before a 15-day washout period when no tea was drunk. The groups then
switched to the other tea for another two months, after which NK cell activity
was measured again. NK cell activity increased in both groups after two months,
but the increase in the Natural Care tea drinking groups was approximately 4.2
times higher, while the NK cell activity in the regular tea group was about 2.9
times higher. Holy basil was investigated for
its effect on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in a 2008 study.23 The study
was conducted on 35 patients suffering from GAD from the outpatient clinics of
the J. B. Roy State Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital in Calcutta, India.
Each subject was given 500 mg holy basil (70% ethanol extraction repeated three
times, reduced in a rotary evaporator, then freeze-dried and packaged in
gelatin capsules; manufacturer not stated) orally twice daily after a meal for
60 days. Baseline score index was 84.42±7.56 at the start, decreased to
68.17±7.84 (-19.2%) at 30 days, and 55.54±7.20 (-34.2%) at 60 days. Stress
index at baseline was 95.65±8.42 and decreased to 84.32±9.08 (-11.5%) at 30
days and 68.45±9.60 (-27.5%) at 60 days. Additionally, depression index
declined from 66.45±5.68 at baseline to 57.65±5.04 (-13.2%) at 30 days and
45.97±6.27 (30.8%) at 60 days. A 2001 open, prospective,
multicenter clinical study investigated the efficacy of an herbal eye drop
containing holy basil on various ophthalmic conditions.24 Ophthacare® is an aqueous extract of six plants and honey
made by Himalaya Drug Co. (Makali, Bangalore, India).
Ophthacare comprises 0.60% w/v ajowan seed (Trachyspermum ammi, syn. Carum copticum, Apiaceae); 0.65% w/v belleric myrobalan fruit (Terminalia bellerica,
Combretaceae); 1.30% w/v amla (Phyllanthus emblica, syn. Emblica
officinalis, Euphorbiaceae); 1.30% w/v turmeric
rhizome (Curcuma longa, Zingiberaceae); 1.30% w/v
holy basil leaf; 1.10% w/v damask rose petals (Rosa damascena,
Rosaceae); 0.5% w/v camphor crystal (Cinnamomum camphora,
Lauraceae); and 3.70% w/v honey. Eye drops were
applied at the rate of two drops four times daily for 15 days on 100 patients
with acute conjunctivitis (allergic, bacterial, or viral) (n=35), acute dacryocystitis (inflammation of the nasolacrimal sac)
(n=20), conjunctival xerosis (dry eye) (n=7), degenerative conditions such as
pterygium/pinguecula (n=15), or who were postoperative cataract patients
(n=23). Therapeutic responses occurred in most of the patients with the
postoperative cataract patients experiencing the most benefit (95%), followed
by dacryocystitis patients (88.2%), acute
conjunctivitis patients (87.5%), patients with degenerative conditions (76.9%),
and conjunctival xerosis patients (66.7%). In a 1996 randomized,
single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 40 type 2 diabetes patients
were randomized to consume holy basil leaf tea for four weeks followed by
placebo leaf tea for four weeks or the reverse after a five-day run-in period
in which they all consumed holy basil leaf tea.25 The authors concluded that
consumption of the holy basil tea resulted in significant reduction in fasting
blood sugar and postprandial blood sugar, as well as a moderate reduction in cholesterol.
However, the Jadad score for this study was 1 (on a
scale of 0 [very poor] to 5 [rigorous]), suggesting lack of adequate design and
controls and that further studies are necessary. A number of clinical studies were
reported in the late 1900s, including ones for treatment of bronchial asthma,
viral encephalitis, stress-related arterial hypertension, cell-mediated and
humoral immune response, and chronic fatigue.9 While these studies
suggested some positive benefit for the conditions studied, they were all small
pilot studies. FUTURE OUTLOOK Of the estimated 960 medicinal
plant species that form the source of 1,289 botanical raw drugs traded in
India, O. tenuiflorum is among the top 117
species whose annual domestic consumption exceeds 100 metric tons (MT). Ranking
sixth in terms of volume, Indian domestic consumption of holy basil is
estimated at 3,533 MT. In terms of trade volume and consumption, annual demand
was estimated to be between 2,000 to 5,000 MT in 2008. Most of the commercial
supply is produced through cultivation.26 Demand for holy basil with
sustainability certifications (e.g., organically grown, biodynamic, and/or fair
trade) appears to be increasing, evidenced by the fact that Indian farms are
beginning to implement both ecological and social standards for the growing
export market, and US companies are investing in the marketing of ecological
and socially responsible certified tulsi products.
Two such examples are the Phalada Agro
Research Foundation Pvt. Ltd. (Bangalore, India) and the Putharjhora
Tea Garden Pvt. Ltd. (Calcutta, West Bengal, India). On the American side of the trade,
Honest Tea (Bethesda, MD) has worked closely with Fair Trade USA (Oakland, CA)
to help the Organic Tulsi Farm, part of the Phalada
cooperative of 750 farms, obtain Fair Trade certification.27 Phalada’s tulsi producer group
and processing unit also hold Fair For Life Social and FairTrade
Certification issued by the Institute for Market Ecology (IMO), as well as
biodynamic certification from Demeter International.28,29 Another US company, Davidson’s
Organics (Sparks, NV), now markets certified fair trade, biodynamic, and
organic tulsi leaf teas grown by certified operator Putharjhora Tea Garden Pvt. Ltd.30 Other big players in the marketing
of sustainable tulsi teas in North America include
Choice Organic Teas (Seattle, WA), which specializes in fair trade, organic,
and Non-GMO-Project Verified teas; Pukka Herbs Ltd. (Bristol, UK), which
specializes in fair trade, FairWild®, and organic
teas; and Organic India® (Boulder, CO). Organic India has decided not to pursue
fair trade certification at this time, but states that its labor and trade
practices go above and beyond what any certification requires, i.e., they
provide their tulsi farmers and their families with health
care, education, and a sustainable method of agriculture.31 Presently, in the Canadian market,
there are 50 licensed NHPs that contain holy basil leaf, leaf extract, or seed
as active ingredients, including, for example, Holy Basil 500 mg Vegetarian
Capsules (Organika Health Products Inc.), Holy Basil
Tea (St. Francis Herb Farm, Inc.), Perfect Calm® tablets, Wholemega®
Focus capsules, and Zyflamend® P.M.
capsules (New Chapter Inc.).32 —Gayle Engels and Josef Brinckmann References
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There are many other potential active secondary metabolites such as other phenylpropanoids (methyl eugenol, rosmarinic acid), monoterpenes (ocimene), and sesquiterpenes (germacrene) that could alone or synergistically produce therapeutic benefits. (Negar Jamshidi and Marc M. Cohen).
Quick Study Guide
Tulsi Kapoor, Heavy Flowered Holy Basil