Ocimum tenuiflorum
Ocimum tenuiflorum, commonly known as Holy Basil or Tulsi, is a sacred perennial herb revered in Ayurvedic medicine. Renowned for its potent adaptogenic properties, it helps the body manage stress, supports immune function, and combats inflammation. This versatile plant serves as a cornerstone in traditional healing and holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Ocimum tenuiflorum
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Ocimum tenuiflorum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Ocimum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ocimum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several continents. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found in Gabon. Its presence extends to East Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Kenya. In the southern regions of the continent, the species is distributed through Malawi and Zambia. Finally, its range reaches Asia, where it is located in South-Central China.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
Chemicals
Ocimum tenuiflorum has 46 reported phytochemicals identified across 62 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include eugenol, flavonoids, ursolic acid, anthocyanins, apigenin.
- Total chemicals
- 46
- Scientific sources
- 62
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| eugenol | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ursolic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apigenin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| luteolin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methyl chavicol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rosmarinic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3',4',5',5,7-Pentamethoxyflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ocimum tenuiflorum has 39 reported activities identified across 108 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 39
- Scientific sources
- 108
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 17 | ★★★★★ |
| Antimicrobial | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antibacterial | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ocimum tenuiflorum has 40 reported medicinal uses identified across 54 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 infection, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, cancer.
- Total uses
- 40
- Scientific sources
- 54
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| SARS-CoV-2 infection | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Streptococcus mutans | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Parkinson's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dental caries | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |