A traditional anti-fertility agent and libido enhancer in Ayurveda, Holy Basil (also known as Tulsi) is currently being investigated for these two claims and its general health properties. A good source of dietary Ursolic Acid, which may cause the anti-fertility aspects.
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Holy Basil (also known as Tulsi, or Ocimum sanctum) is an ayurvetic herb which has historically been used to treat a variety of general ailments. It recently has been shown to hold scientific worth in the areas of liver protection and general anti-oxidant activity, as well as being classified as an Adaptogen (reducing the effects of stress on the body).
It is also used as a Testosterone Booster, although no direct evidence exists in humans for this. It has also been demonstrated to hinder reproductive capacity.
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Ocimum sanctum, Green Tulsi, Sacred Basil, Tulsi, Ocimum tenuiflorum
Thai Basil (a table spice)
Many studies not using an ethanol-extract, suggesting the active ingredients may be fat-soluble in nature
Probably one of the only testosterone boosting compounds (whether it works or not) that hinders spermatogenesis. No word on how it affects general sexual desire.
Neurological and adaptogenic effects of Holy Basil are seen with 500mg taken twice daily.
Testosterone boosting benefits were seen at doses of either 2g overall (in rabbits) or 500mg/kg bodyweight (in rats); no human evidence exists.
Other health and protective effects are dose-dependent, with the most significant effects coming acutely at 100-200mg/kg bodyweight in lab animals.
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The Human Effect Matrix looks at human studies (excluding animal/petri-dish studies) to tell you what effect Holy Basil has in your body, and how strong these effects are.
| Grade | Level of Evidence |
|---|---|
| A | Robust research conducted with repeated double blind clinical trials |
| B | Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled |
| C | Single double blind study or multiple cohort studies |
| D | Uncontrolled or observational studies only |
| Level of Evidence | Effect | Change | Magnitude of Effect Size | Scientific Consensus | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Immunity |   Minor | 100% See study | Appears to induce proliferation of T cytokines and T lymphocytes | |
| C | Natural Killer Cell content | Minor | 100% See study | An increased level of NK cell count has been noted following ingestion of Tulsi leaves | |
| D | Anxiety | Minor | 100% See study | A decrease has been noted, but the studies are not overly robust at this moment in time | |
| D | Depression | Minor | 100% See study | A decrease in depressive symtoms during generalized anxiety disorder has been noted | |
| D | Blood glucose | Minor | 100% See study | May reduce blood glucose, with the potency demonstrated (fairly good) limited by the quality of the evidence currently |
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Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi, is an Ayurvetic plant traditionally used for general health and a long life.[1] Traditionally, the active ingredient is an oil extract of the leaves, which although traditionally used for a myriad of reasons is most commonly regonized for anti-stress and pro-vitality properties.[2]
Its herbal name is Ocimum Tenuiflorum, although Ocimum Sanctum is commonly seen as a synonym; these two terms as well as Holy Basil and Tulsi are all interchangeable in regards to supplementation.
As a herbal supplement, Holy Basil contains a few molecules. These include:
Holy Basil seems to be effective in preventing toxin-induced damage to the liver[7][8] in doses of 100-200mg/kg bodyweight. These protective effects are due to a supposed membrane stabilizing effect of Holy Basil constituents.[9]
Synergism was noted on hepatoprotection when paired with Milk Thistle.[9]
Holy Basil, like other adaptogenic compounds, can reduce cadmium build-up in the body[10] and protect the body from already placed cadmium toxicity[11] and reverse build-up.[12] The proposed mechanism was anti-oxidant flavonols also acting as metal chelators or otherwise alleviating oxidative stress of cadmium enough for other chelators to act before damage could occur.[10]
One human trial noted that after 4 weeks consumption of 300mg ethanolic extract of Tulsi leaves, that participants experienced an increase in some cytokines associated with the immune system; interferon-y (IFN-y), interleukin-4 (IL-4), as well as T-helper cells and NK-cells.[13] No influence on Cytotoxic T-cells or B-cells were noted in this study. When cells were isolated from subjects and pro-inflammatory chemicals were added (LPS, phytohaemagglutinin) the immune cells of the Tulsi group were more effective in mounting an adaptive immune response via IFN-y and T-helper cells and NK-cells.
These immunomodulatory effects may be secondary to the flavonoid content of Tulsi.[14]
The only noted effects of Holy Basil on testosterone levels are from a rabbit study ingesting 2g of Holy Basil per day.[15] This study and previous ones[16][17] noted reductions in sperm count and reproductive potential, which parallels studies with the component of Holy Basil Ursolic Acid.[18][19]
A possible explanation being a possible androgenic analogue in Holy Basil which increases testosterone sufficiently enough to repress luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones significantly.[15]
Toxicity has been reported for the oil extract of Holy Basil (which contains 70+/-3% eugenol content[20]) and has been found to be 42.5ml/kg bodyweight.[21][22] Whereas the dry plant extract with a normal eugenol content has an LD50 of between 4600-6400mg/kg bodyweight in research animals.[13][2][23]
(Common misspellings for Holy Basil include basl, holi, tuls, tulsy, ocimium, ocumim)
(Common phrases used by users for this page include ocimum sanctum aagainst cadmium toxicity, holy basil/dosing directions/testosterone treatment, holy basil boost testosterone, holy basil and sex life, benefits of holy basil on testosterone, Holy Basil anti inflammatory constituents)
(Users who contributed to this page include KurtisFrank, Sol)
