Abstract

THE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF TULSI (OCIMUM SANCTUM): A REVIEW ARTICLE

Prerna Sharma, Gurdev Singh*, Gourav Goyal and Payal garg

Abstract

In the present review, an attempt has been made to congregate the botanical, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological information on Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum, Lamiaceae). Ocimum sanctum has been adored in almost all ancient ayurvedic texts for its extraordinary medicinal properties. It is pungent and bitter in taste and hot, light and dry in effect. Its seeds are considered to be cold in effect. The roots, leaves and seeds of Tulsi possess several medicinal properties such as stimulant, aromatic and antipyretic. This plant has been known to possess antibacterial activity, antianaphylactic activity, antihistaminic and mast cell stabilization activity, wound healing effect, radioprotective effect, antidiabetic effect, antioxidant activity, anti-carcinogenic properties, immunologic effects, contraceptive effect, anti genotoxic effect, neuroprotective effect, cardio-protective effect and other miscellaneous activities. This review help for the researchers as well as clinicians dealing with O. sanctum to know its proper usage as this herb is seemed to be highly valuable, possessing many pharmacological / medicinal properties.

Keywords: Ocimum sanctum (OS, Tulsi), ethno medicinal, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological activities.