What Are the Dangers of Holy Basil?

Holy basil is a small shrub native to India and tropical Asia. Because of its medicinal properties, holy basil is used in Ayurveda, a system of medicine that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The stems, leaves, and seeds are all used for a variety of conditions.

History

• Holy basil, or tulsi, is part of the mint family and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine since ancient civilization in India; it is known as the "Queen of Herbs." For centuries the herb has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and has been used in home remedies to treat respiratory tract infections, allergies and asthma.

Uses

• Holy basil has been shown to have antioxidant properties and can reduce blood glucose levels, making it useful in the treatment of diabetes. It is also used to reduce total cholesterol levels; reduce blood pressure; and treat the common cold, malaria, headaches, coughs and gastric disorders. Further, it has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antitubercular and antimalarial properties.

Dangers

• According to the Maimonides Medical Center, large amounts of holy basil may affect fertility. However, two studies on fertility were conducted on animals, and no adverse effects were reported in human clinical trials. Whether or not holy basil is safe during pregnancy and lactation has not yet been investigated; it is best to avoid holy basil during these times. Little scientific support exists for its effectiveness in treating poison oak and poison ivy dermatitis.

Active Constituents

• The Maimonides Medical Center reports that the stem and leaves of holy basil have a variety of active constituents that may have biological activity. These include tannins, saponins, triterpenoids and flavonoids. The leaf of the holy basil contains an essential oil composed of volatile compounds, including eugenol. According to test tube studies, these constituents are known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Dosages

• Typical doses of holy basil used in human trials are 1,000 to 2,500 mg per day. You can take it in a dried, powdered leaf form, all at once or divided into smaller amounts throughout the day. In Ayurvedic medicine, tulsi is often prepared as an herbal tea to help build up stamina.

Scientific Studies

• Scientific studies conducted at the Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne State University have shown holy basil to appear to have antioxidant, chemically induced cancer-inhibiting and anti-inflammatory properties, all offering significant protection against cancer-causing substances and cancer. Holy basil also appeared to inhibit the progression and progress of breast cancer tumors. However, these tests were done using a mouse model system, and little research has been conducted on humans with cancer.