Sulasi

Family • Lamiaceae

Scientific nam: Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn.

Common names: HOLY BASIL, Queen of herbs, Sacred basil

Botanical snippet
- Ocimum sanctum L., Tulsi, has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda, often referred to
as an "Elixir of Life." Tulsi is also referred to as the "Queen of herbs," the legendary
"incomparable one" of India, one of the holiest and most cherished of healing herbs. (49)

Botany
Sulasi is an erect and herbaceous branched plant, 1 meter high or less. Stems and younger parts
are covered with spreading hairs. Leaves are oblong-ovate and 2 to 4.5 centimeters long, with
pointed or blunt tips, and somewhat toothed margins. Flowers are pink or purplish, about 7
millimeters long, borne on racemes 5 to 14 centimeters long. Calyx at the time of flowering is
about 3 millimeters long and somewhat larger in fruit; the two lower teeth are long-awned, the
upper one broadly-oblong, and the lateral ones very broad. Corolla is very small, scarcely longer
than the calyx. Nutlets are somewhat rounded or broadly oblong, slightly compressed and nearly
smooth.

Distribution
- Found throughout the Philippines, in the same habitat as O. basilicum.
- Probably a native of the Old World.

Constituents
- Leaves yield a volatile oil (0.6%), to a large extent consisting of methyl homo anisic acid, plus
cineol and linalool.
- Eugenol the active constituent, considered to be largely responsible for its therapeutic potential.
- Nutrient analysis of leaves showed high levels of ascorbic acid and total carbohydrates

Properties
- Considered to possess antifertility, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifungal, antimicrobial,
galactagogue, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antiemetic, antispasmodic, analgesic actions.
- Leaves are expectorant and stomachic.
- Studies have shown antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-tussive, anti-
cataract, anti-inflammatory, radioprotective, antianxiety, CNS depressant, neuroprotective,
cardioprotective, anticancer, antifertility, wound healing, anticancer, abortifacient, antitubercular,
nootropic, wound healing, anthelmintic, immunomodulatory, anticonvulsive properties.

Parts utilized
Rhizomes, leaves, seeds, roots.

Uses
Edibility
In Malaya, leaves are eaten sparingly as salad., but not used for flavoring foods.
Folkloric
- In the Philippines, decoction of leaves used for aromatic baths.
- Decoction of roots and leaves used for gonorrhea; externally used for rheumatic pains and
paralysis.
- Seed decoction used as demulcent.
- Dried plant in decoction used for croup, diarrhea, catarrh, bronchitis and diarrhea.
- Decoction of roots used as diaphoretic for malarial fevers.
- Leaf juice considered expectorant; used by Hindi physicians in catarrh and bronchitis.
- Leaf juice used for earache.
- Infusion of leaves used in malaria, and as stomachic in gastric affections in children and in
hepatic affections.
- Fresh juice induces vomiting and expels worms.
- Mixed with honey, ginger and onion juice, used as expectorant for bronchitis and coughs.
- In Malaya, juice used externally in an imbrocation for rheumatism.
- In Java, used to increase milk secretion.
- In India, leaf juice traditionally used for cough, bronchitis, asthma, malaria, dysentery, stress
situations, worm infestations, superficial fungal infections, and as diuretic.
Others
- Religion: It is the most sacred plant in Hindu religion.
- Insect repellent: In India and South Africa, plant is used as a mosquito repellent.

Studies:

• Anti-Tussive: Study shows an antitussive effect probably by central action mediated through
both opioid and GABA-ergic system. There was also an increase in intracellular Ca2++ in clonal
cells. Results suggest constituents in the leaf extract with stimulatory effects on physiologic
pathways of insulin secretion.
• Analgesic: Study of an alcoholic extract of leaves of O. sanctum on glacial acetic-acid
writhing and radiant heat-induced tail flick test showed analgesic activity.

Contradictions:

-Holy basil is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken during pregnancy or when trying to become
pregnant. In animals, large doses of holy basil taken by mouth appear to reduce the chance that
a fertilized egg with attach to the uterus. It also seems to decrease the number of full-term
pregnancies. It's not known if this happens in humans. Stay on the safe side and avoid using.

- Holy basil might slow blood clotting, so there is a concern that it could increase the risk of
bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using holy basil at least 2 weeks before a scheduled
surgery.

Preparation:

-Folk uses in the Philippines include boiling the leaves

-A preparation from the seeds (which form a jelly when soaked