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Hbs8.5
Holy Basil Research
Mostly mechanism / observationalHigh safety
30 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mostly mechanism / observational
Most Holy Basil studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2005–2026 with a typical study size of 35 participants.
Based on 30 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 5 RCTs · 566 total participants
Confidence
Moderate
By outcome
Therapeutic & clinical
Mostly mechanism / observational12 studies
InflammationModest blood sugar support · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational11 studies
Anxiety & stressBetter stress resilience and adaptation · 2-4 weeks · Improved stress resilience and cortisol modulation · 2-6 weeks
18 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2020
200520152026
1Neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative diseasesSystematic Review2025
Even though additional research is required to fully assess their potential as therapeutic agents for NDs, by diving into the specific mechanisms through which they improve neurodegenerative processes, important steps can be made towards this endpoint.
Vasincu A et al. · Nutrients (2025)
This review synthesizes experimental evidence regarding Ocimum species with neuroprotective potential in AD, particularly Ocimum sanctum and Ocimum basilicum.
These plants are rich in bioactive compounds including polyphenols, flavonoids, essential oils, and triterpenoids that synergistically scavenge reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, upregulate endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx), and reduce lipid peroxidation.
Furthermore, these extracts have demonstrated the ability to decrease β-amyloid accumulation and tau protein levels, key pathological features of AD.
Firdaus A et al. · Recent patents on biotechnology (2025)
Some medicinal plants, notably Echinacea purpurea and Zingiber officinale, exhibit potential for adjuvant symptomatic therapy in respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, asthma, the common cold, cough, and whooping cough.
The leaves of medicinal plants like Acacia torta, Ocimum sanctum, Mentha haplocalyx, Lactuca virosa, Convolvulus pluricaulis, and Acalypha indica are commonly used to address pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, colds, and cough.
This review aims to shed light on specific medicinal plants with therapeutic value, providing valuable insights for researchers in the field of herbal medicine.
3Ursolic acid extraction and bioavailabilitySystematic ReviewCited 4×2025
This review merges traditional and modern approaches to UA extraction, bioavailability enhancement, and sustainable use, offering new perspectives on its potential in medicine, food technology, and cosmetics.
K V et al. · Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology (2025)
EAE boosts efficiency by breaking down cell membranes, allowing sustained UA release.
With antibacterial, anticancer, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects, UA holds promise in therapeutics and has applications in nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and food preservation.
However, its low water solubility and bioavailability require innovative delivery methods like dendrimers and nanoparticles.
Kushwah S et al. · Current neuropharmacology (2023)
A rich knowledge base of traditional herbal plants (Turmeric, Gingko, Ashwagandha, Shankhpushpi, Giloy, Gotu kola, Garlic, Tulsi, Ginger, and Cinnamon) combined with modern science could suggest new functional leads for Alzheimer's drug discovery.
In this article Ayurveda, the ancient Indian herbal medicine system based on multiple clinical and experimental, evidence have been reviewed for treating AD and improving brain functioning.
This article presents a modern perspective on the herbs available in the ancient Indian medicine system as well as their possible mechanisms of action for AD treatment.
Kumari S et al. · Recent advances in food, nutrition & agriculture (2024)
This study highlights historical, botanical, ecological, and phytochemical descriptions and different extraction mechanisms of Ocimum sanctum utilized in its processing.
In terms of other pharmacological properties, Ocimum sanctum-infused functional foods exhibited cognitiveenhancing properties, adaptogenic qualities, anti-obesity effects, gastroprotective, antiinflammatory, hypoglycemic, and immuno-modulatory effects.
7Phytochemical constituents and bioactivities of Ocimum tenuiflorumSystematic ReviewCited 11×2024
This comprehensive review will serve as a valuable resource for researchers in the development and investigation of novel drugs derived from O. tenuiflorum.
Bhattarai K et al. · TheScientificWorldJournal (2024)
Additionally, this study will explore the plant's wide range of beneficial qualities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticholinergic, pain-relieving, antimicrobial, stress-reducing, antidiabetic, anticancer, liver-protective, ulcer-inhibiting, antifungal, and wound-healing attributes.
Furthermore, this review focuses on the plant's potential in treating conditions such as asthma, persistent fever, tuberculosis, malaria, skin discoloration, itching, digestive issues, hemorrhoids, bone fractures, gout, urinary tract infection, and diabetes.
By reviewing the current literature, the aim is to identify the gaps in the existing research and propose directions for future studies.
Overall, nearly one-quarter (23%) of adults currently take a supplement to maintain or improve brain health or delay and reverse dementia.
However, other botanicals that affect stress, focus, attention, and sleep have also been procured by dietary supplement companies developing products for improving both, short and long-term brain health.
Botanicals are discussed in terms of available clinical efficacy data and current safety profiles.
Khatoon S et al. · Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry (2022)
The poor bioavailability of polyphenols restricts their clinical use.
The application of nanonization has been implemented to improve their bioavailability, penetrability, and prolong their anticancer action.
The present review analyses the recent preclinical studies related to the chemo-preventive and therapeutic potential of polyphenols present in O. sanctum.
12Herbal medicines effectiveness for COVID manifestationsSystematic ReviewCited 12×2022
According to the current state of art and cutting-edge research on herbal medicines have showed a significant promise as modern COVID tools.
Prajapati SK et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2022)
According to the current state of art and cutting-edge research on herbal medicines have showed a significant promise as modern COVID tools.
Since vaccination cannot be purported as a long-term cure for viral infections, herbal/natural medicines can only be considered a viable alternative to current remedies, as conceived from our collected data to unroot recurring viral infections.
Taleuzzaman M et al. · Current topics in medicinal chemistry (2021)
Dental care, household, and personal hygiene products are other areas where it has established its potential.
In the food industry, eugenol is used as a flavouring agent in non-alcoholic beverages, baked foods, and chewing gums.
Considering the huge potential of eugenol, this review is an attempt to collate the regulatory information, physico-chemical properties, toxicity profile, marketed conventional and novel formulations, analytical methods, extraction procedures, recent patents and clinical trials of the moiety.
14Traditional medicine practicesSystematic ReviewCited 19×2018
In developing countries, the majority of people rely on traditional medicines; however, many of these practices have not been rigorously and systematically studied or reported.
Rupani R et al. · Clinics in dermatology (2018)
In developing countries, the majority of people rely on traditional medicines; however, many of these practices have not been rigorously and systematically studied or reported.
We review the current understanding and research behind traditional therapies prevalent in the Indian subcontinent, including mind-body and energy-based healing, botanical medicine, and herbal remedies.
Topics covered include Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, homeopathy, and medicinal plants such as neem, guggul, tulsi, amla, and turmeric.
15Indian medicinal plants effects against COVID-19Systematic ReviewCited 5×n=19 · very small study2023
This systematic-review examined the effects of Holy Basil.
Nath M et al. · Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics (2023)
Traditionally, we have been using different medicinal plants like neem, tulsi, tea, and many spices like garlic, ginger, turmeric, black seed, onion, etc. for the treatment of flu-like diseases.
In this paper, we are highlighting the recent research progress in the identification of natural products from the Indian medicinal plants and spices that have potential inhibition properties against SARS-CoV-2.
This study will provide an initiative to stimulate further research by providing useful guidance to the medicinal chemists for designing new protease inhibitors effective against SARS-CoV-2 in future.Communicated by Ramaswamy H.
16Prostate cancer prevention through mercapturic acid pathway targetingSystematic ReviewCited 22×2017
The mercapturic acid pathway, which metabolizes genotoxic and pro-apoptotic toxins, is over-expressed in CaP and plays an important role in carcinogenesis, metastasis and therapy-resistance of CaP.
Singhal SS et al. · Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer (2017)
The mercapturic acid pathway, which metabolizes genotoxic and pro-apoptotic toxins, is over-expressed in CaP and plays an important role in carcinogenesis, metastasis and therapy-resistance of CaP.
Vicenin-2, a flavonoid derived from Tulsi (holy basil) as an active compound, inhibits the growth of CaP and increases the anti-tumor activity of docetaxel in-vitro and in-vivo.
Taken together, the combination of vicenin-2 and docetaxel could be highly effective in the treatment of advanced and metastatic CaP due to their multi-targeting anti-tumor potential.
17Radioprotective effects of Ocimum sanctumSystematic ReviewCited 9×2016
This review summarizes the results related to the radio protective properties of Tulsi and its phytochemicals and also emphasizes the aspects that warrant future research to establish its use as a radio protective agent.
Baliga MS et al. · Journal of cancer research and therapeutics (2016)
Preclinical studies have also shown that the aqueous extract of the Tulsi leaves; its flavanoids orientin and vicenin, and eugenol, the principal nonpolar constituent present in Tulsi prevent radiation-induced clastogenesis.
Mechanistic studies have indicated that free radical scavenging, antioxidant, metal chelating and anti-inflammatory effects may contribute toward the observed protection.
In addition, clinical studies with a small number of patients have shown that Tulsi was effective as a radio protective agent.
18Chemopreventive and radioprotective propertiesSystematic ReviewCited 56×2013
This review summarizes the results related to the chemopreventive and radioprotective properties of Tulsi and also emphasizes aspects that warrant future research to establish its activity and utility in cancer prevention and treatment.
Baliga MS et al. · Nutrition and cancer (2013)
The aqueous extract of Tulsi and its flavanoids, orintin, and vicenin are shown to protect mice against γ-radiation-induced sickness and mortality and to selectively protect the normal tissues against the tumoricidal effects of radiation.
The other important phytochemicals like eugenol, rosmarinic acid, apigenin, and carnosic acid are also shown to prevent radiation-induced DNA damage.
This review summarizes the results related to the chemopreventive and radioprotective properties of Tulsi and also emphasizes aspects that warrant future research to establish its activity and utility in cancer prevention and treatment.
19Chemopreventive and therapeutic potential for cancerSystematic ReviewCited 29×2013
Finally, we discuss the role of synergy, current limitations, and future directions of research toward the effective use of this ethnomedicinal plant for the prevention and treatment of human cancer.
Bhattacharyya P et al. · Anti-cancer drugs (2013)
Although several recent articles provide an overview of the various pharmacological properties of O. sanctum, the use of this herb for either prevention or therapy of oncologic diseases has not been exclusively and critically discussed in the literature.
The present review critically and comprehensively examines the current knowledge on the chemopreventive and therapeutic potential of O. sanctum.
The review also examines, in detail, the biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in the antineoplastic effects of O. sanctum.
20Anti-inflammatory, gastric and hepatoprotective propertiesSystematic ReviewCited 17×2013
Here in, we reviewed current literature about anti-inflammatory, gastric and hepatoprotective properties of Ocimum sanctum.
Kamyab AA et al. · Inflammation & allergy drug targets (2013)
In liver, essential oils and extracts of Ocimum sanctum could prevent oxidative stress by increasing glutathione peroxidae and catalase and were also effective in prevention of hepatic steatosis.
In gastric epithelial tissue different derivatives of Ocimum sanctum had anti-ulcer and anti-secretory characteristics and could heal gastric ulceration.
These beneficial properties of this medicinal plant can mainly originate from its major biochemically active constituents like eugenol, carvacrol, ursolic acid, β-caryophyllene and rosmarinic acid.