American Journal of Ethnomedicine, 2014, Vol. 1, No. 1, 089-095 Available online at http://www.ajethno.com © American Journal of Ethnomedicine

“Tulsi” - the Wonder Herb (Pharmacological Activities of Ocimum Sanctum)

Sai Krishna. G*, Bhavani Ramesh.T and Prem Kumar.P

SIMS College of Pharmacy, Mangaldas Nagar, Guntur, A.P, India

ABSTRACT

Ocimum sanctum is an annual herb belonging to the mint family with 150 varieties worldwide. Ocimum sanctum emits a spicy scent when bruised. It is believed to purify expectorants, and called the “wonder herb”. Tulsi is pungent and bitter in taste, pungent in the post digestive effect and has hot potency. The roots, leaves and seeds of Tulsi possess several medicinal properties. Ayurvedic texts categorise Tulsi as stimulant, aromatic and antipyretic. It has a variety of biological / pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti protozoal, anti malarial, anthelmentic, anti diarrhoeal, analgesic, antipyretic, anti inflammatory, anti allergic, antihypertensive, cardio protective, central nervous system (CNS) depressant, memory enhancer, antihyper- cholesterolaemic, hepatoprotective, anti diabetic, anti asthmatic, anti thyroidic, antioxidant, anticancer, chemopreventive, radio protective, immunomodulatory, anti fertility, antiulcer, anti arthritic, adaptogenic / anti stress, anti cataract, anti leucodermal and anticoagulant activities. Its leaves are helpful in sharpening memory and in curing fever and common cold. Ocimum contains fixed oil which is confirmed by chemical tests for glycerine. The plant increased the physical endurance and prevented stress-induced ulcers.

Keywords- Ocimum sanctum, Expectorant, Stimulant, Anthelmentic, Antiallergic, Leucodermal, Glycerine.

INTRODUCTION1,2 proven true. In the Far East, the herb had been used as a cough medicine, and in Holy basil has a rich and fanciful Africa, it has been used to expel worms. history known since the Vedic age for its American colonists considered holy basil is immense curative and multi-purpose utility. the essential ingredients in a snuff used to It has been the ‘Herb royale’ to the French, a ease headaches. The plant grows all over sign of love by Italians, and a sacred herb in India up to 2000 meters height. It is grown India. In the first century A.D. Roman in houses, temples and gardens. An erect naturalist Pliny reported that basil relieves annual grows 0.5-1.5 meters in height and flatulence, which had been subsequently has red or purple quadrangular branches.

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The leaves are opposite, about 2-4 cm long, Just as Tulsi respect is rewarding, her margins entire or toothed, hairy on both the contempt attracts the wrath of Vishnu. surfaces, dotted with minute glands and are Precautions are taken to avoid this. It is aromatic. The flowers are tiny, purple and taboo to urinate, excrete or throw waste inflorescence is a long spike or 12-14 cm in water near the plant. Uprooting and cutting length. The fruits are small, smooth nut lets, branches of the plant is prohibited. When the reddish grey in color. Botanically, Tulsi is plant withers, the dry plant is immersed in a known as Ocimum sanctum and it belongs water body with due religious rites as is the to family Laminacea. The leaves contain an custom for broken divine images, which are essential oil, which contains eugenol, unworthy for worship. Though Tulsi leaves eugenal, carvacrol, methylchavicol, limatrol are necessary for Hindu worship, there are and caryophylline. The seeds contain oil strict rules for it. Only a male must cut them composed of fatty acids and sitosterol. The and only in the daylight. A prayer of roots contain sitosterol forgiveness may also be offered to Tulsi before the act. Ayurveda2 Tulsi has been used for thousands of Tulsi as a Diety3,4 years in Ayurveda, a Hindu form of medical The presence of tulsi plant science, for its diverse healing properties. It symbolizes the religious bent of a Hindu is mentioned in the Charaka Samhita, an family. A Hindu household is considered ancient Ayurvedic text. Tulsi is considered incomplete if it doesn't have a tulsi plant in to be an adaptogen, balancing different the courtyard. Many families have the tulsi processes in the body, and helpful for planted in a specially built structure, which adapting to stress. Marked by its strong has images of deities installed on all four aroma and astringent taste, it is regarded in sides, and an alcove for a small earthen oil Ayurveda as a kind of "elixir of life" and lamp. Some households can even have up to believed to promote longevity. If sprinkled a dozen tulsi plants on the verandah or in the over cooked food in stored water, tulsi garden forming a "tulsi-van" or "tulsi- leaves prevent bacterial growth during vrindavan" - a miniature basil forest. the eclipses. Properties1,2 Importance in Hinduism3,4 Tulsi is pungent and bitter in taste, Every part of the Tulsi plant is pungent in the post digestive effect and has revered and considered sacred. Even the soil hot potency. It alleviates kapha and vata around the plant is holy. The Padma doshas, but slightly aggravates the pitta Purana declares a person who is cremated dosha. It possesses light and dry attributes. with Tulsi twigs in his funeral pyre On the contrary the seeds are oily and slimy gains moksha and a place in Vishnu's in attributes and have a cold potency. Tulasi abode Vaikuntha. If a Tulsi stick is used to is a stimulant, aromatic herb and effectively burn a lamp for Vishnu, it is like offering the reduces the fever. gods lakhs of lamps. If one makes a paste of Tulsi leaves and smears it over his body and Morphology4,5 worships Vishnu, it is worth several Tulsi belongs in the basil genus in ordinary pujas and lakhs of Godan (donation the family Lamiaceae. It is an aromatic plant of cows). Water mixed with the Tulsi leaves which is native throughout the Eastern is given to the dying to raise their departing World tropics and widespread as a cultivated souls to heaven. plant and an escaped weed. The plant is an

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American Journal of Ethnomedicine erect, much branched subshrub, 30–60 cm Divison : Magnoliaphyta tall with hairy stems and simple, opposite, Class : Magnoliopsida green leaves that are strongly scented. Order : Lamiales Leaves have petioles, and are ovate, up to Family : Lamiaceae 5 cm long, usually slightly toothed. The Genus : Ocimum flowers are purplish in elongate racemes in Species : Sanctum close whorls. The two main morpho- types cultivated in India and Nepal is green- Other names leaved and purple-leaved. English name - Holy basil/sacred basil Hindi name - Tulsi Sanskrit name - Tulasi Gujarati name - Tulsi

Habitat5 Ocimum sanctum is native to India, Iran and now cultivatedin Egypt, France, Hungary, Italy, Morocco, USA. Basil is naturally found wild in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Basil thrives in warm and temperate climates. Basil is an aromatic, low growing herb the leaves of which have a bright green to purple ovate color, and is grown in warm, tropical climate.

Therepeutic Uses6-8 Some of the basils are a rich source of key nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus. The presence of Pharmacognistic Study3-5 Vitamin A helps in strengthening eyesight. It is much branched small herb and  Basils also contain antioxidants like beta 30 to 75 cm in height. All parts of Tulasi are carotene that help in preventing cell used in medicine, especially fresh and dried damage. leaves. Leaves are oblong, acute with entire  “Tulsi” or the holy basil is famous or serrate margin, pubscent on both sides throughout the globe for its healing and and minutely gland-dotted. The leaves are other medicinal properties. Its leaves are green in color with aromatic flavour and helpful in sharpening memory and in slightly pungent taste. Flowers are purplish curing fever and common cold. in color in the form of racemes. Nutlets are  They also act as an anti stress agent and subglobose, slightly compressed, pale brown also help in purifying blood. This, in or red in color. Seeds are reddish-black and turn, helps in reducing the risk of heart subglobose. attacks and also lowers the cholesterol level. Botanical classification  The leaves of the basil are also effective in reducing mouth ulcer and other Kingdom : Planta infections of the mouth.

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Cultivation7,8  Used against respiratory ailments Basil grows to between 30-130 cm including bronchititis and tuberculosis. tall, with opposite, light green, silky leaves  Used for rhinitis (inflammation of nasal 3-11 cm long and 1-6 cm broad. The flowers mucus membrane). are small, white in color and are arranged in  Can serve as a cure and prophylactic as a terminal spike. Unusual among well for the severe acute respiratory Laminacaea, the four stamens and the pistil syndrome (SARS) – The root of the tulsi are not pushed under the upper lip of plant should be crushed and boiled with corolla, but lie over the inferior lip. After turmeric powder for a few minutes, after entomophilous pollinatioin, the corolla falls which it should be filtered. Consuming off and four round achenes develop inside two spoonfuls of this potion twice daily the bilabiate calyx. will cure SARS and prevent contracting Basil is very sensitive to cold, with of the disease. best growth in hot, dry conditions. It  Tulsi tea with honey is a good behaves as an annual if there is any chance expectorant especially in cased where of a frost. Although basil will grow best fever is involved. outdoors, it can be grown indoor in a pot  The juice of the leaves is given in catarrh and, like most herbs, will do best on an and bronchitis in children. equator-facing windowsill. It should be kept  Chewing the leaves relieves cold and flu. away from extremely cold drafts, and grows A decoction of the leaves, cloves and best in strong sunlight; therefore a common salt also gives immediate relief greenhouse or row cover is ideal if available. in case of influenza. They can, however, be grown even in a basement, under fluorescent lights. Anti Microbial Effects11 It inhibits the growth of E. coli Tulsi Chemical Constituents6 is a remover of worms and parasites, when One study found forty-five the fresh juice or strong tea is taken with compounds and oils in basil. The main honey; the sweetness excites the parasites constituents in volatile oil from basil are drawing them out of their hiding places. rosmarinic acid (a strong antioxidant), linalool, methylchavicol, methylcinnamat, Digestive System 1,7 -dimethyl, 6-octadien-3-ol, and eugenol (Esophagus, stomach, intestines, Its medicinal effects are mostly due liver, pancreas) Liver support generally to rhymol, eugenol and camphor. The contributes to healthy liver functions and mucilage is composed of sugars, xylose and counteracts liver diseases. polysaccharides. The seeds contain an oil composed of fatty acids and sitosterol. It is Liver Protective one of the healing herbs that contain Improves the metabolic breakdown Vitamin A, and Vitamin C stimulates and elimination of dangerous chemicals in production of disease fighting antibodies by the blood included as part of detoxification up to 20% as well as antioxidants that help program Anti-diabetic-insulin and glucose to prevent cell damage that can lead to normalizing blood sugar and blood-lipid cancerous conditions. levels.

Uses9,10 Hypoglycemic (low blood glucose)  Used for bronchial asthma; expectorant Balance blood sugar and insulin and bronchodilator effects. metabolism can reduce fasting blood

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American Journal of Ethnomedicine glucose Inhibits Lipid peroxidation (the typhoid; The Imperial Malarial Conference oxidative deterioration of Lipids) normalizes has declared Tulsi to be a genuine remedy lipids Anti ulcer activity well as ulcer- for malaria. Drug and nicotine withdrawal healing properties and could act as a potent Tulsi oil is also used as ear drops in case of therapeutic agent against peptic ulcer pain. Add fresh garlic juice after you cook disease decreases incidence of gastric ulcer. Tulsi in mustard oil and then place this Reduces the effect of irritating drugs on the warm medicated oil in the ears to remove stomach lining and increases the production ear aches. The fresh juice of Tulsi taken of protective stomach mucous. with black pepper powder cures periodic fevers. In case of acute fevers, a decoction Cardiovascular-Circulatory System of the leaves boiled with powdered (Heart, blood, circulation) Cardio cardamom in half a liter of water and mixed tonic-prevents heart attack Lowers stress- with sugar and milk brings down the related high blood pressure normalizes temperature. Reproductive System Anti- blood pressure Vascular protection-protects fertility effect – may reduce the estrogen the heart and blood vessels, promotes even hormone levels in females and decrease the circulation Mild blood thinning qualities sperm count in men. thereby decreasing like likelihood of strokes Lowers dangerous cholesterol protects Precaution7,8 against damage caused by foreign toxins in Although tulsi is a safe herb, consult the blood(such as industrial chemicals) a doctor before consuming tulsi in any form treatment of stress-related arterial if you are nursing or pregnant. Also consult hypertension (high blood pressure). a physician if you are taking any prescription medications, before you take Muscular System any tulsi. (Skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles) Anti-arthritic activity Anabolic Uses activity- enhances protein synthesis, muscle Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is an mass and strength A remedy for sore eyes herb native to India. People in India honor and night blindness (Vitamin A) To treat tulsi as a sacred plant and revere it as a conjunctivitis the juice of Tulsi mixed with cleaning and healing agent of the mind, honey is used as an eye wash to either wash body and spirit. Although Indians use tulsi the eyes or spread on the tender skin below in religious rituals, tulsi is more commonly the eye. used for medicinal purposes and as a natural remedy for common ailments. Nervous System 11,12 Other Health Benefits (Brain, spinal cord, nerves) Anti- In recent years, as more holistic convulsions potential Central nervous methods of healing are gaining acceptamec, system effect- increased motor activity, research studies have delved into various Analgesic activity Normalizes neuro- medicinal herbs. Studies of tulsi validated transmitter levels in brain Influences the ancient healer’s claims and have yielded neurochemistry of the brain and also new discoveries about tulsi. Scientists have sharpens memory. discovered that tulsi has rich antioxidant and

potent anti-inflammatory properties. As Antipyretic records on organicindia.com, Dr. Ralph Prevents, removes or reduces fevers Miller, former director research for the Treatment for viral encephalitis, malaria and Canadian Dept. of Health and welfare

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American Journal of Ethnomedicine summarizes the results;” Modern scientific their results in the Indian Journal action to a research offers impressive evidence that compound within the essential oil of Tulsi tulsi reduces tulsi, enhances stamina, called eugenol. relieves inflammation, lowers cholesterol, eliminates toxins, protects against radiation, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT prevents gastric ulcers, lowers fevers, With due respect to the almighty improves digestion and provides a rich god, “my parents” and my siblings, I would supply of antioxidants and other nutrients. like to thank my college i.e., SIMS college Tulsi of especially blood pressure and blood of pharmacy for permitting me to do this sugar. review work. I thank the publishers of Tulsi And Swine Flu12,13 “American journal of ethnomedicine” Doctors have postulated yet another Here I would like to specify my source of benefit of tulsi that it can help prevent and the context in the article i.e., the internet, also decreases the severity and duration of which helped me for putting fourth this the swin flu. Dr. U.K. tiwari, an herbal article in front of many people around the medicine practitioner comments, The anti world. I finally would specially thank my flu property of tulsi has been discovered by guide P.Prem Kumar sir and T.Bhavani medical experts across the world quite ramesh sir for supporting me and for recently. Tulsi improves the body’s overall contributing their valuable time. defence mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used CONCLUSION in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the Tulsi is a popular home remedy same theory applies to swine flu. Even when for many ailments such as wound, a person has already contracted swine flu. bronchitis, liver diseases, catarrhal fever, Tulsi can help in speeding up the recovery otalgia, lumbago, hiccough, ophthalmia, process and also help in strengthening the gastric disorders, genitourinary disorders, immune system of the body. skin diseases, various forms of poisoning Stress13 and psychosomatic stress disorders1-2. It Tulsi has been used extensively has also aromatic, stomachic, carminative, throughout its history in India as a supreme demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, expec- anti stress solution, used for claiming the torant, alexiteric, vermifuge and febrifuge distraught and dealing with long-term properties. Tulsi is also known as "the elixir irritants. In a 2000 study performed at the of life” since it promotes longevity. University of Madras, in Madras, India, Different parts of plant are used in researchers tested Tulsi extract on rats who Ayurveda and Siddha Systems of were also subjected to acute levels of noise. Medicine for prevention and cure of The stress altered levels of several brain many illnesses and everyday ailments like chemical makers including corticosterone common cold, headache, cough, flu, were lowered after feeding the rats. earache, fever, colic pain, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, hepatic diseases, malaria Immunity14 fever, as an antidote for snake bite and Tulsi is close to being un-surpassed scorpion sting, flatulence, migraine in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as a headaches, fatigue, skin diseases, wound, general overall tonic for the immune system. insomnia, arthritis, digestive disorders, A team of researchers conducted a reviews night blindness, diarrhea and influenza. of the studies done on Tulsi and published This review will definitely help for the

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