Ocimum sanctum

Holy Basil

Ocimum sanctum

Holy Basil

In the "Charaka Samhita" the consummate text on Ayurveda written around 1000 BC, Holy Basil is described as “the incomparable one” and is considered to be an incarnation of Tulasi or Vrindavani, a consort of Lord Vishnu. It is considered a symbol of fidelity and helpful in attaining spiritual enlightenment. It has been used to support a healthy response to stress, maintain blood sugar levels within a normal range, promote longevity, nourish the mind and elevate the spirit. Holy Basil (_Ocimum sanctum_) exhibits impressive adaptogenic activity. Helping the body adapt to stresses of various kinds, this plant has a normalizing, broad-spectrum action that maintain homeostasis.

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Traditional Health Benefits of Holy Basil

Stress Support, Brain & Cognitive Support, Immune Support, Foundational Support, Glycemic Support, Digestive Support

What is Holy Basil Used for?

As a rasayana and adaptogen, Holy Basil maintains equilibrium among biochemicals associated with the stress system in the body. Ursolic, Rosmarinic acids and Eugenol have all shown antioxidant activity and support normal levels of inflammation. Further research is needed to fully determine the exact biochemical activity found in this plant.

View Important Precautions

Products Featuring Holy Basil

best seller

Adrenal Health® Daily Support

Our best-selling formula to help sustain energy & vitality*

To combat stress and live a more balanced life, it’s essential to optimize adrenal gland function. Adrenal Health® Daily Support, is our best-selling formula to sustain energy and vitality.*

$30.99

best seller

Holy Basil Leaf

Traditionally for maintaining emotional well-being and supporting a positive mood*

Holy Basil is one of the most revered adaptogenic Ayurvedic herbs that helps you respond to stress in a healthy way.* Our formula is made with Certified organic Holy Basil, traditionally used for maintaining emotional well-being and supporting a positive mood.*

$29.99

award winner

Calm A.S.A.P.™

Traditionally to provide relief from occasional anxiousness*

Certain moments in life can feel more stressful than others. Moving into a new home, a job interview, a dentist appointment, or even traveling — can cause circumstantial stress. Embrace serenity with Calm A.S.A.P.™, which was formulated to promote feelings of tranquility.*

$15.99

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Essential Tulsi Tea

A fragrant herbal blend so you can stay feeling calm & serene*

Tulsi is the Sanskrit name for the Holy Basil plant and is known today as an adaptogen. Nourish your well-being with Gaia Herbs Essential Tulsi Tea.*

$0.00

Holy Basil Leaf, Certified Organic

Helps support a healthy response to stress*

Holy Basil is one of the most revered adaptogenic Ayurvedic herbs that helps you respond to stress in a healthy way.* Our formula is made with Certified organic Holy Basil, traditionally used for maintaining emotional well-being and supporting a positive mood.*

$14.99

new

Mind Spring

Traditionally for maintaining a healthy brain and recall*

Often, it’s not our bodies that give out on us at the end of the day, but our minds. Mind Spring contains a synergistic blend of mushrooms and full spectrum herbs that help maintain brain health, recall, and support emotional well-being.*

$34.99

Mushrooms + Herbs Mental Clarity

Supports memory & cognitive function*

Lack of focus can make everyday activities a struggle. Gaia Herbs Mushrooms + Herbs Mental Clarity is made with a blend of Mushrooms plus herbs to help maintain mental alertness and focus.*

$35.99

Sinus Comfort Tea

Traditionally for sinus support & wellness*

Familiar fragrant herbs mingle to soothe both the senses and sinuses in Gaia Herbs Sinus Comfort tea.* A comforting herbal brew made with herbs traditionally used for sinus support to help you stay feeling well.*

$5.99

Stress Response®

Traditionally for helping cope with stress in a healthy way*

To combat stress and live a more balanced life, it’s essential to optimize adrenal gland function. Gaia Herbs Stress Response® contains a synergistic blend of five Adaptogens traditionally known for helping the body cope with stress in a healthy way.*

$17.99

award winner

TurmericBoost® Restore

Your everyday whole body support*

Turmeric Boost Restore is made with real Chai spices and is a delicious addition to smoothies, juice, or dairy or non-dairy milk. It provides everyday whole body support with Turmeric to help reduce occasional inflammation due to normal daily wear and tear.*

$29.99

TurmericBoost® Uplift

Your everyday whole body support*

Turmeric Boost Uplift is made with real Chai spices and is a delicious addition to smoothies, juice, or dairy or non-dairy milk.

$29.99

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Daily WellBeing for Men

A convenient, once-daily blend of powerful herbal extracts and plant-sourced vitamins & minerals*

Daily WellBeing for Men provides a convenient, once-daily blend of powerful herbal extracts and plant-sourced vitamins and minerals.*

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Daily WellBeing for Women

A convenient, once-daily blend of powerful herbal extracts and plant-sourced vitamins & minerals*

Daily WellBeing for Women provides a convenient, once-daily blend of powerful herbal extracts and plant-sourced vitamins and minerals.*

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MacaBoost® Vanilla-Chai

Supports peak performance at home, work & play*

Prized for centuries, Maca root is a caffeine-free, edible herbaceous plant that has been traditionally used to support healthy energy and stamina.* Our MacaBoost® Vanilla-Chai Powder contains organic Maca, which is ethically harvested high in the Peruvian Andes plus Holy Basil, pl...
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Active Constituents of Holy Basil

essential oil (Eugenol, carvacol, linalool, caryophylline), and polyphenols (rosemarinic acid), triterpenes (ursolic acid) and flavonoids

Parts Used

Leaf

Additional Resources

1.) Gupta SK, Prakash J, Srivastava S. Validation of traditional claim of Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum Linn. as a medicinal plant. Indian J Exp Biol 2002;40:765-73. 2.) Kelm MA, Nair MG, Strasburg GM, Dewitt DL Phytomedicine. 2000 Mar; 7(1): 7-13 3.) Kumar A, Agarwal K, Maurya AK, et al. Pharmacological and phytochemical evaluation of Ocimum sanctum root extracts for its antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities. Pharmacogn Mag 2015;11(Suppl 1):S217-24. 4.) Bhishagratna K. An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Based on Original Sanskrit Text, with a Full and Comprehensive Introd., Additional Texts, Different Readings, Notes, Comparative Views, Index, Glossary And Plates, 2nd ed. Varanasi, India: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office, 1963. 5.) Nadkarni, K.M. Dr. K.M. Nadkarni’s Indian Materia Medica. Vol. 1. 3rd Edition. Bombay Popular Prakashan. 1976. 6.) Dass, Vishnu. Ayurvedic Herbology East & West. A Practical Guide to Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine. Lotus Press: Twin Lakes WI. 2013.

Important Precautions

Not to be used during pregnancy. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs, please consult with your doctor before use.

Disclaimer

This information in our Herbal Reference Guide is intended only as a general reference for further exploration, and is not a replacement for professional health advice. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner such as a naturopathic physician.

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