Ayurvedic and pharmacological profile of Krishna Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) – A review

Abstract

The medicinal plants are extensively used by the traditional medicinal practitioners for correcting various diseases in their day to day practice.
While alleviating Kapha and Vata, it aggravates Pitta. It has a wide range of action on the human body. In traditional system of medicine, different parts (leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds and even whole plant) of (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) have been recommended for the treatment of bronchitis, malaria, diarrhoea, dysentery, skin disease, arthritis, eye diseases, insect bites and so on. Ocimum Sanctum is commonly known as Tulsi which is also called as “Queen of herbs” and one of the holiest and most healthiness giving herbs. Ocimum Sanctum contains eugenol, ursolic acid, carvacrol, cirsilineol, circimaritin, isothymusin, apigenin and rosameric acid which are responsible for the therapeutic potential. The Ocimum sanctum L. has also been possess anticancer, antifertility, anti-diabetic, antispasmodic, analgesic, adaptogenic, anti-allergic, antihypertensive, cardio protective, central nervous system (CNS) depressant, memory enhancer, antihypercholesterolaemic, hepatoprotective, antifungal, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, cardio-protective, antiemetic, anti-diabetic, anti-asthmatic, antioxidant, anticancer, chemo preventive, radio protective, immunomodulatory. This review
elaborates ayurvedic as well as modern aspect of Krishna Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.)