by Nicole Evans M.D.

Created on: March 29, 2010

Holy basil is a peppery herb used in cooking, but also a potent natural medicine used for a variety health conditions.  Holy basil is sometimes called "hot basil" because of its taste.  The latin name for Holy basil is Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum.

Holy basil is a widely used herb in Ayurvedic medicine, which considers the herb to be an anti-stress or adaptogenic remedy.  The leaves, stems, seeds, and oils of Holy Basil are all used in medicinal preparations.

The active medicines in the leaves and stems are thought to be saponins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and tannins.  However, the leaves also contain a potent essential oil, while the seeds of holy basil contain useful fatty acids such as linoleic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid.

Holy basil is used in some people with diabetes to decrease their blood sugar levels.  Preliminary evidence has shown that holy basil leaf extract may decrease both fasting blood glucose levels and blood glucose after meals in type 2 diabetics.

People take Holy basil to relieve symptoms of the common cold, as well as illness caused by swine flu and seasonal flu.  There is early evidence showing that the leaf extract and the seed oil of holy basil might reduce the inflammatory response. The seed oil from holy basil also seems to exert immunomodulatory effects by decreasing the humoral and cell-mediated immune response to stress in animal models.

Holy basil also has a history as an herbal antidote for mercury poisoning. In fact, there is a small amount of published research that suggests an aqueous extract of holy basil leaves can decrease some measures of mercury toxicity, at least in animal models.

In addition, there is growing interest in the use of Holy basil oil in cancer patients. In an animal model of the cancer fibrosarcoma, seed oil from Holy basil appeared to delay progression and improve survival. The investigators felt that this anti-cancer effect may be due to the antioxidant effects of the oil.

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Holy basil is also used in “asthma, bronchitis, earache, headache, stomach upset, heart disease, fever, viral hepatitis, malaria, tuberculosis … to promote longevity, as a mosquito repellent, and as an antidote to snake and scorpion bites”.  However, there is currently insufficient evidence for these uses.

Holy basil leaf extract has been used safely in studies for up to 4 weeks, and no side effects have been reported.  However, evidence is arising from animal models that suggests holy basil might decrease sperm counts and fertility.

In addition, Holy basil has known anti-platelet effects that may cause excessive bleeding during surgical procedures. People should discontinue holy basil at least 2 weeks before any surgery.  For safety, individuals should always discuss any herbal medicines and natural supplements they plan to take with their physician.

Source: Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Accessed Mar 27, 2010.

Learn more about this author, Nicole Evans M.D..
Click here to send this author comments or questions.