Basil is a popular culinary herb, and its essential oils have been used extensively for many years in food products, perfumery, and dental and oral products. Basil  has a rich, mildly peppery flavor with a trace of mint. There are dozens of  known varieties of basil of which Ocimum basilicum or Sweet Basil is the most commonly grown. Basil is native to India and Asia having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years and has been known for its medicinal value.

Holy Basil supplement ( Sweet Basil )
Amount Per 3 capsules -  % Daily Value
Calories 10  
Total Carbohydrate 1 gram
Sodium 10 mg - less than 1% daily value
Holy Basil 1,350 mg -1.35 g *  

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You may also consider other healthy herbs and supplements with high antioxidant potential, including Acai berry supplement, Cacao supplement, Curcumin, an extract from turmeric, Goji berry which is also found in Eyesight Rx, Graviola supplement, Mangosteen supplement, Pomegranate supplement, and Noni.

Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Twice a month you will receive an email with several new studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics. We will mention research updates on basil herb studies as they relate to health improvement.
 

Scientific Confirmation of Traditional Wisdom
Phytonutrients within holy basil are prized molecules in the plant pharmacy. To make a drug from Holy Basil, pharmaceutical companies could deliver those molecules in an isolated form, but that would no longer be the infinitely complex Holy Basil treasured by traditional medicine. Holy basil molecules include: Caryophyllene, Ursolic Acid, Rosmarinic Acid, Eugenol, and Oleanolic Acid.

* Holy Basil herb daily value not established.

Compounds and Oils in Basil
One basil study found forty-five compounds through consulting literature and searching database by computer. The main constituents in volatile oil from basil are rosmarinic acid (a strong antioxidant), linalol, methylchavikol, methylcinnamat, and eugenol.

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Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity of Basil
Basil essential oils and their principal constituents were found to exhibit antimicrobial activity against a wide range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, yeast, and mold.

Anti-tumor activity of Basil
One study shows basil leaf to inhibit carcinogen-induced tumors.

Blood pressure reduction
Antihypertensive effects of Ocimum basilicum L. on blood pressure in renovascular hypertensive rats.
Hypertens Res. 2010 May 7. Umar A, Imam G, Yimin W, Kerim P, Tohti I, Berké B, Moore N. Department of Pharmacology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, PR China. Department of Pharmacology, Universite de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Cedex, France.
Sweet basil, is a medicinal herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. The objective of the study was to investigate the possible antihypertensive effects of this herbal extract in renovascular hypertensive rats. Sweet basil extract reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about 20 and 15 mm Hg, respectively, compared with 35 and 22 mm Hg for captopril, from the lowest dose tested with no dose dependency. The effects of basil on blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy and ET, are consistent with an effect on ET-converting enzyme, and warrant further exploration.

Holy basil and blood sugar
One study indicates holy basil leaves may be beneficial for blood sugar reduction.
Randomized placebo-controlled, single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1996 Sep;34(9):406-9. Department of Home Science, Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, India.
We studied the effects of treatment with holy basil leaves on fasting and postprandial blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels in humans. Results indicated a significant decrease in fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels during treatment with holy basil leaves compared to during treatment with placebo leaves. Fasting blood glucose fell by 21 mg/dl. Mean total cholesterol levels showed mild reduction during basil treatment period.

Basil Recipe
Basil is used in tomato sauces, pestos, pizzas, and cheeses.

Historical uses of Basil
Egypt is the principal source of sweet basil, followed by the United States. With so many attributes it isn't any wonder that basil has become increasingly popular over the years. Being a member of the mint family, it is not surprising to see it recommended for digestive complaints. Herbalists have recommended basil for years for stomach cramps, vomiting and constipation. Basil has been described as having a slight sedative action, which would explain why it is sometimes recommended for headaches and anxiety.

Basil Research Update
Applying certain essential oils to the ear canal appears to be an effective treatment for ear infections, findings from an animal study suggest. The vapors that are released by essential oils, such as oil of basil, have been shown to have rapid bacteria-killing effects. Topical therapy for ear infections is usually not recommended because most drugs are in a liquid form that cannot penetrate the eardrum to reach the infected middle ear. However, the vapors from essential oils may be able to diffuse through the eardrum and destroy the microbes present. To investigate, Dr. Karl G. Kristinsson, from Landspitali University Hospital in Reykjavik, Iceland, and colleagues tested oil of basil, various essential oil components, and inactive "placebo" on rats with experimental ear infections. Treatment with the oils cured up to 81 percent of the animals. With placebo, by contrast, cure rates did not exceed 6 percent. The team notes that, based on their properties, essential oils may be able to destroy a variety of bacteria that can cause ear infections. They also point out that essential oils are generally considered to be safe. SOURCE: Journal of Infectious Diseases, June 1, 2005.

Anticonvulsant potential of holy basil, Ocimum sanctum Linn., and its cultures.
Indian J Exp Biol. 2003 Nov;41(11):1329-33.
Different extractives of stem, leaf and stem callus of basil were tested for anticonvulsant activity against standard drug phenytoin using maximal electroshock model. Basil ethanol and chloroform extractives of stem, leaf and stem calli were effective in preventing tonic convulsions induced by transcorneal electroshock.

Effects of rosmarinic acid against aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin-A-induced cell damage in a human hepatoma cell line (Hep G2).
 J Appl Toxicol. 2004 Jul-Aug;24(4):289-96.
Recent findings have suggested that oxidative damage might contribute to the cytotoxicity and carcinogenicity of aflatoxin B(1). The induction of oxidative stress also plays an important role in the toxicity of another mycotoxin: ochratoxin A. In this study, the protective effect of rosmarinic acid against AFB(1) and OTA-induced cytotoxicity was investigated in a human hepatoma-derived cell lin. Rosmarinic acid, a natural phenolic compound contained in many Lamiaceae herbs such as Perilla frutescens, sage, basil and mint, inhibits complement-dependent inflammatory processes and may have therapeutic potential. The ability of Rosmarinic acid to reduce radical oxygen species production, protein and DNA synthesis inhibition and apoptosis caused by the two mycotoxins was also investigated. Our experiments proved the significant cytoprotective effect of Rosmarinic acid in vitro from OTA- and AFB(1)-induced cell damage. Moreover, Rosmarinic acid dose dependently attenuated ROS production and DNA and protein synthesis inhibition induced by both of the toxins. Similarly, apoptosis cell death was prevented, as demonstrated by reduction of DNA fragmentation and inhibition of caspase-3 activation.

Chemomodulatory efficacy of basil leaf (Ocimum basilicum) on drug metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes, and on carcinogen-induced skin and forestomach papillomagenesis.
Phytomedicine. 2004 Feb;11(2-3):139-51.
Basil or sweet basil is cultivated throughout India and is known for its medicinal value. The effects of doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of hydroalcoholic extract (80% ethanol, 20% water) of the fresh leaves of basil on xenobiotic metabolizing Phase I and Phase II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, Glutathione content, Lactate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation in the liver of 8-9 weeks old Swiss albino mice were examined. Furthermore, the anticarcinogenic potential of basil leaf extract was studied. The hepatic glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase specific activities were elevated above basal level by basil leaf treatment. Basil leaf extract was very effective in elevating antioxidant enzyme response by increasing significantly the hepatic glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities. Reduced glutathione, the major intracellular antioxidant, showed a significant elevation in the liver and also in all the extrahepatic organs. In the forestomach, kidney and lung, glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase levels were augmented significantly. There were significant decreases in lipid peroxidation and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Chemopreventive response was evident from the reduced tumor burden (the average number of papillomas/mouse, as well as from the reduced percentage of tumor bearing-animals. Basil leaf, as deduced from the results, augmented mainly the Phase II enzyme activity that is associated with detoxification of xenobiotics, while inhibiting the Phase I enzyme activity. There was an induction in antioxidant level that correlates with the significant reduction of lipid peroxidation and lactate dehydrogenase formation. Moreover, Basil leaf extract was highly effective in inhibiting carcinogen-induced tumor incidence in both the tumor models at peri-initiational level. 

Phenolics composition and antioxidant activity of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.).
J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Jul 16;51(15):4442-9. basil history basil brush
The antioxidant activity of a methanolic extract of sweet basil was examined using different in vitro assay model systems. The crude basil extract was fractionated on a Sephadex LH-20 column, and six fractions were identified. The DPPH scavenging assay system and the oxidation of the soy phosphotidylcholin liposome model system were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of each fraction. Fraction IV showed the strongest activity followed by fractions V and VI. Phenolic compounds in basil responsible for the antioxidative activity of the fractions were characterized by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major basil antioxidant compound in fraction IV was confirmed as rosmarinic acid. Moreover, the native of antioxidant activity of rosmarinic acid in the liposome system was examined. The results showed that one rosmarinic acid can capture 1.52 radicals, and furthermore, the existence of a synergistic effect between alpha-tocopherol and rosmarinic acid was revealed.

Mechanism of action of anti-inflammatory effect of fixed oil of Ocimum basilicum Linn (sweet basil).
Indian J Exp Biol. 1999 Mar;37(3):248-52.
Fixed oil of Basil was found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan and different other mediator-induced paw edema in rats. Significant inhibitory effect was also observed in castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats. It also inhibited arachidonic acid  and leukotriene-induced paw edema. The results of antiinflammatory activity of Basil support the dual inhibition of arachidonate metabolism as indicated by its activity in inflammation models that are insensitive to selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Basil may be a useful antiinflammatory agent which block both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism.

Another excellent product is New Chapter Holy Basil which has:
Supplement Facts
Two Basil softgels contain:
Holy Basil - 94 mg*
   Ocimum sanctum, (leaf) , supercritical extract (min. 7% eugenol - 6.6 mg and min, 4% caryophllene - 3.8 mg)
Holy Basil 536 mg*
   Ocimum sanctum, (leaf), hydroethanolic extract (minimum 1% triterpenoic acids - 5.4 mg including ursalic acid. oleanolic acids, and minimum 1% rosmarinic acid - 5.4 mg)

Questions
I am required to take Plavix 75 mg daily - for life. I would like to take Holy Basil and Turmeric. Are they known to interfere with Plavix - either to increase clotting or increase bleeding? I am taking the Plavix for CAD. I do realize your answer may be an educated guess.
    These herbs may have mild blood thinning potential but we have not seen studies regarding the interaction of holy basil or turmeric with Plavix or other blood thinning medications.