Efficacy of an Extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum (OciBest) in the Management of General Stress: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Key Finding
Holy basil extract (1200mg daily) reduced stress symptoms by 39% and improved cognitive stress symptoms over 6 weeks.
Plain-English Summary
This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined holy basil (tulsi) for stress management in 158 adults experiencing general stress. Participants received 1200mg of holy basil extract or placebo daily for 6 weeks.
The holy basil group showed significant improvements across multiple stress measures. Symptoms including forgetfulness, exhaustion, sleep problems, and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed all decreased significantly. Overall stress scores improved by 39% in the treatment group versus 17% in placebo.
Holy basil is considered an adaptogenic herb in Ayurvedic medicine, helping the body adapt to various stressors. The herb contains active compounds including eugenol and ursolic acid that have anti-stress, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. By modulating stress response and cortisol levels, holy basil helps protect cognitive function during periods of stress. The supplement was very well-tolerated with no significant adverse events.