Remedy · herb
Holy basil
Also: Ocimum tenuiflorum, Ocimum sanctum, tulsi
An Ayurvedic adaptogen (tulsi) with modest evidence for stress and for blood sugar.
Evidence by condition
Each grade reflects the research for Holy basil and that condition specifically.
- CAnxiety & stress
An 8-week RCT lowered perceived stress and cortisol more than placebo, and a small GAD trial reduced anxiety — but trials are few, short, and partly industry-linked.
2 citation s
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of an Ocimum tenuiflorum (holy basil) extract on stress, mood, and sleep in adults experiencing stress Randomized trial 2022 · n=100 · Frontiers in Nutrition · PMID 36185698 · DOI 10.3389/fnut.2022.965130
- Controlled programmed trial of Ocimum sanctum leaf on generalized anxiety disorders Study 2008 · n=35 · Nepal Medical College Journal · PMID 19253862
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of an Ocimum tenuiflorum (holy basil) extract on stress, mood, and sleep in adults experiencing stress
- CType 2 diabetes
An older crossover RCT and a systematic review show consistent modest reductions in fasting glucose and HbA1c, but most trials are small, short, and low-to-moderate quality.
2 citation s
- Randomized placebo-controlled, single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus Randomized trial 1996 · n=40 · International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics · PMID 8880292
- The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature Systematic review 2017 · Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · PMID 28400848 · DOI 10.1155/2017/9217567
- Randomized placebo-controlled, single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Tulsi is a well-tolerated daily adaptogen with two modest, consistent signals — lowering stress markers and blood sugar — across small short trials. Because it lowers glucose and may affect fertility, use it carefully alongside diabetes drugs and avoid it in pregnancy.