Therapeutic Uses of "Wonder Herb" Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn) - A Review
Raviprasad Sajjan, M.*
Dept. of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Raichur, Karnataka (584 104), India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54083/ResBio/3.1.2021.57-62
Keywords: Constituents, Medicinal, Ocimum, Therapeutic uses, Traditional, Tulsi
Abstract
The medicinal plants are widely recommended worldwide by the traditional and modern medical practitioners for curing various diseases of patients. Tulsi or Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum Linn) is an annual herb belonging to the mint family. Tulsi emits a spicy scent when bruised. It is believed to purify expectorants, and called the “wonder herb”. In traditional systems of medicine, different parts (leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds and even whole plant) of tulsi are proved to possess several medicinal properties. It has also been suggested to possess variety of biological/ pharmacological activities such as anti-allergic, anti-asthmatic, anti-arthritic, antibacterial, anti-coagulant, anticancer, anti-cataract, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-diabetic, anti-emetic, anti-fertility, antifungal, anti-hyper-cholesterolaemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-leucodermal, anti-malarial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antipyretic, anti-protozoal, antistress, anti-spasmodic, anti-thyroidic, antiulcer, antiviral, anthelmentic, analgesic, adaptogenic cardio protective, chemo-preventive, central nervous system (CNS) depressant, hypoglycemic, hepato-protective, hypotensive, hypolipidemic, immune-modulatory, memory enhancer, radio-protective and diaphoretic actions. The active constituent, eugenol (l-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene) present in Tulsi has been found to be largely responsible for the therapeutic potentials. The pharmacological studies have established a scientific basis for therapeutic uses of this plant.
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