Health Benefits of Holy Basil
Article Sources
- 1. Cohen M. ‘Tulsi-Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons.' J Ayurveda Integr Med 2014 Oct-Dec, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296439.
- 2. Godhwani S, Godhwani JL, Vyas DS. ‘Ocimum sanctum: an experimental study evaluating its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity in animals.' J Ethnopharmacol 1987.
- 3. Yamani H. Pang E. Mantri N. Deighton M. ‘Antimicrobial activity of Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum ) Essential Oil and Their Major Constituents against Three Species of Bacteria.' Frontiers of Microbiology. 17 May 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4868837.
- 4. Ezeani C. Ezenyi I. Okoye T. Okoli C.'Ocimum basilicum extract exhibits antidiabetic effects via inhibition of hepatic glucose mobilization and carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes.' Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology 3 Jan 2017.
- 5. Dobrzynski. ‘Holy Basil to Beat Stress and Sleep Better.' Parkinson's Resource Organization, www.parkinsonsresource.org/news/articles/holy-basil-to-beat-stress-and-sleep-better.
- 6. Shimizu T et al. ‘Holy Basil leaf extract decreases tumorigenicity and metastasis of aggressive human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo: potential role in therapy.' Cancer Letters. 19 Aug 2013, www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23523869.
- 7. Sharma V. Chanda D. ‘Ocimum: the Holy Basil Against Cardiac Anomalies.' The Ocimum Genome, www.researchgate.net/publication/328069487.
2. Kills Bacteria
As more germs become resistant to antibiotics, researchers are trying to identify new antimicrobials to replace them. Holy basil's ability to kill bacteria is a new concept in the west.3Yamani H. Pang E. Mantri N. Deighton M. ‘Antimicrobial activity of Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum ) Essential Oil and Their Major Constituents against Three Species of Bacteria.’ Frontiers of Microbiology. 17 May 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4868837.
The herb's antibiotic properties cover a broad range of microbes and uses. It may be an effective hand sanitizer, mouthwash and water purifier. Although more research is needed, holy basil shows potential to promote wound healing, help food preservation and maintain travelers' health.1Cohen M. ‘Tulsi-Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons.’ J Ayurveda Integr Med 2014 Oct-Dec, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296439.
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