Its botanical name is Ocimum sanctum. In English, it's called holy basil. In India, it's known as tulsi, which means "the incomparable one." There, tulsi is of paramount religious and cultural importance. Its use in Ayurvedic medicine is widespread. Western medicine also supports the potential therapeutic effectiveness of holy basil. Ongoing clinical trials increasingly demonstrate medicinal qualities in tulsi extract.
Antioxidant
According to H.R. Juliani and J.E. Simon of Purdue University, the essential oils of all basil species, including tulsi, are rich in phenolic compounds. This suggests a potential for antioxidant activity. Juliani and Simon tested several basil species and varieties for antioxidant activity. Though tulsi's antioxidant activity was low compared with that of the purple varieties of O. basilicum, it was by no means insignificant. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking 400mg daily of standardized extract of O. sanctum for antioxidant protection in conjunction with pancreatitis.
Anti-stress
According to Dr. Verna M. Case, a professor at Davidson College, holy basil's ethanolic extract has been demonstrated to have an anti-stressor effect, possibly due to the herb's ability to reduce chronically high cortisol levels. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests 400mg daily of holy basil extract or a tea made from the plant for relieving stress in conjunction with a number of ailments, including bulimia and sexually transmitted diseases.
Lowering Blood Sugar
According to the University of Michigan Healthwise Knowledgebase, animal studies involving extracts of holy basil and preliminary human trials involving holy basil leaf show a potential for O. sanctum to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It remains unclear precisely which compound in holy basil is responsible for lowering blood sugar.
Weight Loss Aid
Case states that, because cortisol can cause weight gain, holy basil extract may help you to lose weight due to its ability to reduce cortisol levels.
Anti-inflammatory
The University of Michigan Healthwise Knowledgebase states that some of the active constituents in tulsi extract have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in test tube studies. The Knowledgebase cites a study published in Phytomedicine in 2000 concerning the antioxidant and cyclooxygenase inhibitory phenolic compounds derived from O. sanctum. According to Case, tulsi "inhibits COX-2 inflammatory enzymes."
Possible Negative Reproductive Effects
Though human clinical trials have shown no adverse reactions, "two animal studies suggested that large amounts of holy basil might negatively affect fertility," according to the University of Michigan Healthwise Knowledgebase. "Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been investigated; until more is known, holy basil should probably be avoided at those times."
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