Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is one of the plants named in my Crooked Crows® products, so here is what I would tell you about it across the counter: what it is, which part is used, how people have traditionally prepared it, and when to leave it alone.
This page is educational, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, nursing, managing an illness or taking medication, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you use this plant.
A little botany, so you know what you have
Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum). Joydeep. CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The plant I mean is Ocimum tenuiflorum, in the plant family Lamiaceae (the mint family). Other common names include tulsi. It is a different species from the sweet basil in pesto.
Useful field marks (identification only):
- Fragrant, clove-like leaves on a small, often purple-tinged bushy herb.
- Small purple-to-white flowers on upright spikes.
Plant parts used
Leaf. This is the part traditionally used and the part you will find in my products.
Traditional uses
In India, tulsi has been grown beside homes and temples for centuries, and Ayurvedic tradition uses the leaf as a daily tea for steadiness during demanding seasons and as a warming cup in cold weather.
These are traditional descriptions, not proof that holy basil treats, cures or prevents any disease. A lasting health concern deserves a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Preparations
These are the kitchen methods I use. They are not official doses.
Tea (an infusion)
- Put 1–2 teaspoons of the dried herb in a mug.
- Pour about 8 ounces of just-boiled water over it.
- Cover and steep 5–10 minutes, then strain.
Covering the cup keeps the aromatic oils in your tea.
Tincture or extract
Strength varies by maker. The bottle label is the dose, not a blog. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you start drops for a health concern.
Cautions — who should skip it, or ask first
- Pregnancy and trying to conceive: traditional sources and some animal studies advise avoiding medicinal amounts.
- Blood thinners and blood-sugar medicines: ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist before regular use.
- Scheduled surgery: stop concentrated use ahead of time unless your provider says otherwise.
- Stop if you get a rash, itching, stomach upset, or anything that feels off.
From the shop
You will find holy basil in: Melting Sugar Scrub Love Thyself Body & Lip, Assorted Apothecary Bath Soak Salts Healing Herbs, Respiratory Relief Oxymel Herbal Honey and Vinegar Extracts, One Bath Soak Salts Herbs Trial Size Sample in Velvet Bag, Royal Pain® Tonic Tea Blend Subscription, Royal Pain® Tonic Herbal Extracts Subscription, Respiratory Relief Herbal Extracts Subscription, Happy Pill Herbal Extracts Subscription.
If you are not sure whether a product is right for you, write me before you order.
References
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (scientific name and family).
- Bhattarai K et al. A Comprehensive Review of the Phytochemical Constituents and Bioactivities of Ocimum tenuiflorum. ScientificWorldJournal. 2024. PubMed 39473808.
- Lopresti AL et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of an Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) extract (Holixer(TM)) on stress, mood, and sleep in adults experiencing stress. Front Nutr. 2022. PubMed 36185698.
This page is for education and traditional-use context, not medical advice.
A Note from Erin
Everything I share here is my own opinion, and I’ve listed my references so you can read the sources for yourself. I’m not a doctor, and nothing on this blog is medical advice. When I mention an herb or one of my products, I’m telling you how it has traditionally been used, not promising that it will cure, treat, or prevent anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before trying any herb, especially if you’re pregnant or nursing, take medication, or have a health condition.
