Ayurvedic

Tulsi

Also called: holy basil, ocimum sanctum, ocimum tenuiflorum

Holy basil, a sacred plant in India, taken as tea or capsules.

Why people take it
Stress, blood sugar, colds.
What the evidence says
Small studies suggest benefits for stress and blood sugar.
How it is usually taken
Usually as tea, or 300 mg to 2 g of leaf extract a day.
Be careful
May lower blood sugar; may affect fertility and blood clotting. Avoid in pregnancy.
Medicines it can interact with
May lower sugar with diabetes medicines and slow blood clotting.

Other ayurvedic

BacopaGuduchiTriphalaAmlaShatavariSafed musliGokshuraKapikachhuArjunaGuggulNeemGymnemaJamun seedChyawanprashAyurvedic bhasmas

Common questions

What is Tulsi?

Holy basil, a sacred plant in India, taken as tea or capsules.

Why do people take Tulsi?

Stress, blood sugar, colds.

Does Tulsi work?

Small studies suggest benefits for stress and blood sugar.

How much Tulsi do people take?

Usually as tea, or 300 mg to 2 g of leaf extract a day.

Is Tulsi safe?

May lower blood sugar; may affect fertility and blood clotting. Avoid in pregnancy.

Does Tulsi interact with medicines?

May lower sugar with diabetes medicines and slow blood clotting.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.

🔎 Search all supplements

For information only, not medical advice. Supplements are not medicines: they are not tested and approved like drugs before they are sold, and they can interact with medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start one, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take regular medicines, or have kidney, liver or heart disease.