Holy Basil

Holy Basil

Best for

Lower day-to-day anxiety

Large effect, needs confirmation · 1200 mg/day for 6 weeks · 1 study , n=150

10 papers · 11 claims · 30 outcomes scored · 10 positive

Outcomes

What holy basil actually does, by outcome

Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Outcome Effect Evidence Dose Weeks Rank
Lower day-to-day anxiety Large effect, needs confirmation
large
1 RCT n=150 1200 mg 6 wk #7/48
Ease anxiety in older adults Large effect, needs confirmation
large
1 RCT n=150 1200 mg 6 wk #7/45
Reduce pre-competition anxiety Large effect, needs confirmation
large
1 RCT n=150 1200 mg 6 wk #7/45
Improve overall sleep quality Large effect, needs confirmation
large
1 RCT n=150 1200 mg 6 wk #6/37
Improve overall digestive comfort Large effect, needs confirmation
large
1 RCT n=150 1200 mg 6 wk #3/9
Reduce everyday fatigue Large effect, needs confirmation
large
1 RCT n=150 1200 mg 6 wk #6/44
Reduce daily stress Promising early signal
moderate
1 RCT n=136 250 mg 8 wk #7/41
Break the insomnia cycle Faint early signal
small
1 RCT n=85 250 mg 8 wk #6/14
Stay asleep through the night Not enough research
trivial
1 RCT n=83 250 mg 8 wk
Sleep longer each night Not enough research
trivial
1 RCT n=83 250 mg 8 wk
Lift and steady your mood Not enough research
trivial
1 RCT n=85 250 mg 8 wk

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

bitter taste mild
no_side_effects_reported
nausea
reproductive and developmental toxicity (potential risk)
Digestive disturbances
Headache
Vivid dreams
Skin rash

Drug interactions

Ceftriaxone major increases concentration
Ceftizoxime moderate increases concentration

Sources

  1. 1. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of an Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) extract (HolixerTM) on stress, mood, and sleep in adults experiencing stress. (2022)
  2. 2. Efficacy of an Extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum (OciBest) in the Management of General Stress: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. (2012)
  3. 3. Efficacy of chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide and tulsi extract mouthwash in reducing halitosis using spectrophotometric analysis: A randomized controlled trial. (2019)
  4. 4. Antibacterial efficacy of manuka honey, ocimum sanctum, curcuma longa and 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash on the level of streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus acidophilus - A randomized controlled trial. (2022)
  5. 5. A randomized controlled clinical trial of Ocimum sanctum and chlorhexidine mouthwash on dental plaque and gingival inflammation. (2014)
  6. 6. Evaluation of holy basil mouthwash as an adjunctive plaque control agent in a four day plaque regrowth model. (2014)
  7. 7. Efficacy of Ocimum sanctum, Aloe vera and chlorhexidine mouthwash on gingivitis: A randomized controlled comparative clinical study. (2019)
  8. 8. Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of 4% Tulsi Extract (Ocimum sanctum), Fluoridated and Placebo Dentifrices against Gingivitis and Plaque among 14-15 years School Children in Davangere City, India - A Triple Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial. (2020)
  9. 9. Effect of ACP-CPP Chewing Gum and Natural Chewable Products on Plaque pH, Calcium and Phosphate Concentration. (2016)
  10. 10. Effect of chewing Azadirachta indica (neem) and Ocimum sanctum (tulsi) leaves on salivary acidogenicity: A comparative study. (2020)

Generated August 14, 2026

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