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Mood/Hormonal/Heart

Holy Basil

Tulsi leaf extract that may reduce everyday stress and offer modest glucose and heart-marker support in adults.

Holy Basil
43
score
C
evidence
Caution
risk

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Quick Take

Reasonable for mild stress if you want a gentler herb, but the evidence is still small-study and modest.

Holy basil, or tulsi, is an aromatic leaf from Ocimum tenuiflorum used as tea, powder, and extract. Its polyphenols and volatile compounds appear to influence stress signaling, glucose handling, and inflammatory pathways. Human studies most consistently suggest modest relief of stress and anxiety, with weaker evidence for better glycemic control and small improvements in blood pressure or lipids. Adults under persistent day-to-day stress seem most likely to notice a benefit.

Potential benefits

01
Reduces stress and anxiety
02
May lower cortisol response
03
May improve glycemic control
04
May improve lipid profile
05
May lower blood pressure

Protocol

Amount
300-600 mg standardized leaf extract
Frequency
Once daily or split into 2 doses
When
With food, ideally in the morning or split morning/evening; consistency matters more than exact timing.

Onset Time

2-4 weeks for stress; 8-12 weeks for metabolic markers

Who Should Consider

Adults with high perceived stress
People wanting a non-caffeinated calming herb
Adults with stress-related mental fatigue
Adults with borderline glucose or lipid markers

How It Works

Compounds including eugenol, rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid, and ocimumosides appear to modulate the HPA axis and sympathetic stress response, which may lower perceived stress and cortisol output. Holy basil may also affect hepatic glucose metabolism, insulin signaling, and low-grade inflammation, which could explain its modest cardiometabolic findings.

Updated 5/19/2026

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