Tulsi (also known as Ocimum sanctum or holy basil) is an aromatic plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to India and Southeast Asia.[1] It is rich in various bioactive phytochemicals, including rosmarinic acid, apigenin, ursolic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and eugenol.[2][1] Tulsi is used primarily as a medicinal herb, and it is distinct from sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), which is more often used as a culinary herb.[1] Despite a long history of use as a traditional medicine, very little clinical research exists.
What is tulsi?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), an aromatic plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae) that is native to India and Southeast Asia, is rich in various bioactive phytochemicals, including rosmarinic acid, apigenin, ursolic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and eugenol; it is primarily used as a medicinal herb. Despite its long history in traditional medicine, clinical research on its medicinal applications remains limited.