Indian J Exp Biol. 2002 Jul; 40(7): 765-73.

Validation of traditional claim of Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum Linn. as a medicinal plant.

Gupta SK, Prakash J, Srivastava S.

Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110 029, India. [email protected]

In several ancient systems of medicine including Ayurveda, Greek, Roman, Siddha and Unani, Ocimum sanctum has vast number of therapeutic applications such as in cardiopathy, haemopathy, leucoderma, asthma, bronchitis, catarrhal fever, otalgia, hepatopathy, vomiting, lumbago, hiccups, ophthalmia, gastropathy, genitourinary disorders, ringworm, verminosis and skin diseases etc. The present review incorporates the description of O. sanctum plant, its chemical constituents, and various pharmacological activities.