Witnessed by: Ayurveda · Western · Unani
Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), of the Lamiaceae family. Aromatic erect perennial sub-shrub, hairy, with purple-green leaves and slender flower-spikes; native range: The Indian subcontinent, in gardens, temple courtyards and waste ground. Globally recognized as tulasi / surasa in Sanskrit, tulsi in Hindi, raihan in Arabic, and holy basil, tulsi, sacred basil in English. The part used is leaf and whole herb; also seed. Warm, clove-like, peppery scent from the crushed leaf, with a lingering sweet-pungent aftertaste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
HOLY BASIL
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Holy basil
- Scientific name
- Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (syn. O. sanctum)
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Form
- Part used
- leaf and whole herb; also seed
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Ayurveda
- pungent (katu) · bitter (tikta)
- Western
- pungent · aromatic
- Unani
- pungent · aromatic
Temperature
- Ayurveda
- heating (ushna)
- Western
- warm
- Unani
- hot & dry (2nd degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- lungs · nerves · digestion · immune
- Unani
- lungs · brain · stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Ayurveda
- kasa-svasahara (relieves cough and dyspnoea), jvaraghna (antipyretic), dipana, hridya, krimighna, medhya (nootropic)
- Western
- diaphoretic, expectorant, nervine, adaptogen; (modern) lowers stress-cortisol and blood sugar
- Unani
- muharrik (stimulant), mufarreh (exhilarant), kaasir-e-riyah; for cough, cold and low spirits
Cautions
Contraindications: may lower fertility and blood sugar; large doses in pregnancy
Toxicity: very low; the eugenol content advises against very large or prolonged doses
Interactions
- Western
- antidiabetic agents: additive blood-sugar lowering · anticoagulants: mild antiplatelet effect of eugenol
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