A Review on Ocimum Sanctum (Tulsi) and its Medicinal Properties

Abstract

Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) is one of the most important plants mentioned in Ayurveda due to its religious values and enormous medicinal properties. It belongs to Lamiaceae family. Tulsi is an inexpensive, safe and easily available plant commonly found in all the Indian Hindu households. It is a sacred plant in Hindu belief and the offering of its leaves is mandatory in ritualistic worship. Plant parts like leaves, seeds and roots are commonly used due their effective therapeutic actions. Tulsi is a holy herb which can be consumed orally or by using the leaves in food preparation for its extraordinary benefits. Hot concoction or kadha made from Tulsi leaves are used for immediate relief from cold, cough, sneezing nose and other viral infections including dengue, malaria and to boost immunity. It protects tissues and organs from chemical stress from heavy metals or industrial pollutants. Tulsi extracts and its other constituents help in anti-aging activity, stress, inflammation, larvicidal and radioprotection, indigestion, earache, back pain, hepatic disease, respiratory disorder, injury, enhanced stamina, lowering cholesterol, etc. The fact behind the excessive benefits of Tulsi is the phytochemicals like Alkaloids, Rosmarinic acid, Ursolic acid, Phenols, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Eugenol, etc. present in its plant parts which have the potential to defeat the infections. In this review article, we will focus on the medicinal properties and pharmacological actions of Tulsi.