Nootropic profile
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
A sacred adaptogenic herb in Ayurvedic medicine with clinical evidence for reducing cortisol, combating stress-related brain fog, and improving cognitive function, mood, and immune resilience.
Best for
Educational only: this is not medical advice. Always check with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement.
What is Holy Basil (Tulsi)?
Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum, formerly Ocimum sanctum), known as Tulsi in Hindi, is one of the most revered plants in Ayurvedic medicine - worshipped as a manifestation of the goddess Lakshmi and cultivated in nearly every Hindu household for its spiritual a.
What it does for you
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How to take it
- Standard dosage: 300-600 mg of standardised extract per day, divided into two doses
- Traditional use: Fresh leaves chewed daily, or 2-5 g of dried leaf as a tea
- Standardisation: Look for extracts standardised to ursolic acid (2-5%) or eugenol content
- Timing: Can be taken morning and evening. The morning dose supports daytime stress resilience; the evening dose supports relaxation
- Onset: Adaptogenic effects develop over 2-4 weeks of consistent use. Some calming effects may be noticed within days
Watch out for
- Generally well tolerated: Long history of traditional use with minimal reported side effects
- Blood-thinning: Eugenol may have mild antiplatelet activity - use caution before surgery or if taking anticoagulant medications
- Blood sugar: May lower blood glucose - monitor levels if diabetic or taking hypoglycaemic medications
- Fertility: Some animal studies suggest holy basil may temporarily reduce sperm count at high doses. Relevance to human supplemental doses is unclear
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Traditionally used during pregnancy in some cultures, but some compounds may have uterotonic effects. Consult a healthcare provider
The science, if you're curious.
- Modulates the HPA axis to reduce excessive cortisol output during chronic stress
- Eugenol and ursolic acid inhibit cyclooxygenase-2, reducing neuroinflammation
- Rosmarinic acid and eugenol provide potent protection against reactive oxygen species in neural tissue
- Apigenin and other flavonoids modulate GABA-A receptors, contributing to anxiolytic effects
Where to find it
- Standardised extracts: Available from Ayurvedic and supplement suppliers in capsule form
- Tulsi tea: Widely available as dried leaf tea from Organic India and other brands
- Fresh leaves: Tulsi plants are easy to grow at home in temperate climates during warmer months
- Tinctures: Alcohol-based liquid extracts available from herbal medicine suppliers
The research
Frequently asked
A sacred adaptogenic herb in Ayurvedic medicine with clinical evidence for reducing cortisol, combating stress-related brain fog, and improving cognitive function, mood, and immune resilience.
The main benefits people report from Holy Basil (Tulsi) are: Anxiety & Calm, Cognitive Enhancement, Energy, Focus, Longevity, Mood, Stress Relief.
Standard dosage: 300-600 mg of standardised extract per day, divided into two dosesTraditional use: Fresh leaves chewed daily, or 2-5 g of dried leaf as a teaStandardisation: Look for extracts standardised to ursolic acid (2-5%) or eugenol contentTiming: Can be taken morning and evening. The morning...
Generally well tolerated: Long history of traditional use with minimal reported side effectsBlood-thinning: Eugenol may have mild antiplatelet activity - use caution before surgery or if taking anticoagulant medicationsBlood sugar: May lower blood glucose - monitor levels if diabetic or taking hypog...
Modulates the HPA axis to reduce excessive cortisol output during chronic stressEugenol and ursolic acid inhibit cyclooxygenase-2, reducing neuroinflammationRosmarinic acid and eugenol provide potent protection against reactive oxygen species in neural tissueApigenin and other flavonoids modulate GA...
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