Holy Basil

Names in Different Languages

English	Holy Basil
Urdu	تلسی
Hindi	तुलसी
Unani	Tulsi
French	Basilic sacré
German	Heiliges Basilikum

Traditional Uses

In Ayurveda, tulsi leaf is a sacred and medicinal plant, traditionally used for coughs and colds, fever, stress, digestive complaints and as a daily tea for general vitality.

Modern Research

Eugenol and ursolic acid are key studied compounds. Small trials report modest stress, blood-sugar and respiratory-symptom improvements, and laboratory studies show antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Evidence is early and based on small trials; tulsi tea is the best-supported traditional form.

Uses

• Stress support
• Respiratory support (coughs, colds)
• Blood-sugar support (traditional)
• Immune support (traditional tea)

Benefits of Use

• Stress-sleep support: may modestly ease perceived stress and support calm
• Respiratory support: may ease cough and congestion symptoms
• Immune support: antioxidant compounds may support general immune function
• Blood-sugar support: small trials report modest glucose improvements

Safe Dose & Overdose (mg/g)

Side Effects

• Nausea and stomach upset at high doses
• Increased bleeding risk at very high doses
• Low blood sugar in sensitive users
• Reduced fertility reported with chronic overuse in animal studies
• Possible liver harm from very high eugenol intake

Interactions

• Blood thinners: may increase bleeding risk
• Diabetes medicines: may add to blood-sugar-lowering effects
• Thyroid medicines: tulsi may alter thyroid hormone levels in theory
• Sedatives: may add to drowsiness
• Blood-pressure medicines: may add to blood-pressure-lowering effects

Sources

• Dr Axe Holy Basil
• Ask Ayurveda Tulsi
• Organicalt Tulsi