What is the recommended dose of Holy Basil?

- **Look for:** Standardized to 2.5% ursolic acid and/or eugenol content specified; OciBest branded extract; leaf extract (not stem) - **Avoid:** Tulsi tea bags for therapeutic effect (insufficient...

Is Holy Basil safe to take daily?

Holy Basil is rated "Generally Safe" based on clinical evidence. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Holy Basil

MODERATE EVIDENCEAdaptogenLast updated

AVELOR SUMMARY

Holy basil (tulsi) is an adaptogenic herb sacred in Ayurvedic medicine with emerging evidence for stress reduction, blood sugar management, and anti-inflammatory effects. Our research found a 2017 systematic review of 24 clinical studies showing benefits for metabolic stress, psychological stress, and immunomodulation. It reduced fasting blood glucose by 17.6% and cortisol by 18.6% in separate studies. The evidence quality is moderate — most trials are small, single-center, and from India — but the safety profile is excellent and the multi-target mechanism is promising.

WHAT IT DOES

Holy basil contains eugenol (anti-inflammatory, COX-2 inhibitor), ursolic acid (reduces cortisol, anti-inflammatory), rosmarinic acid (antioxidant), and ocimumosides A and B (anti-stress compounds that modulate the HPA axis). The adaptogenic mechanism works by normalizing cortisol — reducing it when elevated (stress) without suppressing it below baseline. It also modulates GABA, serotonin, and dopamine neurotransmission, explaining the cognitive and mood effects. The blood sugar reduction appears mediated through PPAR-gamma activation and enhanced insulin sensitivity.

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Look for: Standardized to 2.5% ursolic acid and/or eugenol content specified; OciBest branded extract; leaf extract (not stem)
Avoid: Tulsi tea bags for therapeutic effect (insufficient active compound concentration); unstandardized powder without compound quantification
Minimum effective dose: 300mg standardized extract per day
Third-party tested brands: Himalaya (OciBest), Organic India (Tulsi), NOW Foods

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SAFETY PROFILE

Critical Interactions (Do Not Combine Without Medical Supervision)

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

Theoretical/Low-Risk Interactions

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Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

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