The Library · Vol. 01Entry No. 13· Chapter 02

Holy Basil

Ocimum tenuiflorum

Known as Tulsi in Ayurveda, Holy Basil is revered as 'The Queen of Herbs.' Used for over 3,000 years as an adaptogen that supports mental clarity, stress resilience, and respiratory health.

2
Active compounds
1
In our products
2
Clinical citations
02
Adaptogens
Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) — botanical watercolor illustration

Ocimum tenuiflorumBotanical illustration

§ 1The molecules

Active compounds.

2 compounds · 4 statements

No.01

Eugenol

Why this matters

  • № 01Supports the body's natural inflammatory response*
  • № 02Promotes respiratory comfort and clear breathing*
No.02

Ursolic Acid

Why this matters

  • № 01Supports healthy cortisol levels*
  • № 02Promotes mental clarity and calm focus*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

§ 2Receipts

What the research shows.

2 citations

“Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT of 150 participants evaluating Ocimum tenuiflorum (holy basil) ethanolic extract (300 mg twice daily) for 8 weeks. Holy basil significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and depression scores on the DASS-42 (all p<0.05) versus placebo. Sleep quality and cognitive parameters also improved, consistent with HPA axis modulation.”Saxena et al., Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2012
“Systematic review of 24 human studies (including 5 RCTs) on Ocimum sanctum for metabolic and psychological conditions. Holy basil (300-2,400 mg/day) improved fasting glucose, lipid profiles, and stress scores across multiple trials, mediated by ursolic acid, eugenol, and other phenolic compounds acting on the HPA axis and inflammatory pathways.”Jamshidi & Cohen, Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2017

§ 3Where it lives

Find Holy Basil in

1 product

Ayurvedic Complex
Ayurvedic Complex
50 mg(2% ursolic acid)Below cycling threshold
$24.90
From the Library · Vol. 01

Know exactly what
you're taking.

Every compound in your stack — sourced, dosed, and cited. No proprietary blends. Browse the science behind the bottles.

118Ingredients
180Compounds
14Chapters
Browse by chapter
Herbs that help your body adapt to stress.Showing 6 of 6 · View all
Ashwagandha botanical illustration
№ 11 · CH.02

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

One of the most important herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, used for over 3,000 years.

WithanolidesWithaferin ASitoindosides
Rhodiola Rosea botanical illustration
№ 12 · CH.02

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola rosea

A powerful adaptogen that grows in cold, mountainous regions of Europe and Asia.

RosavinsSalidroside
Holy Basil botanical illustration
№ 13 · CH.02

Holy Basil

Ocimum tenuiflorum

Known as Tulsi in Ayurveda, Holy Basil is revered as 'The Queen of Herbs.' Used for over 3,000 years as an adaptogen that supports mental clarity, stress resilience, and respiratory health.

EugenolUrsolic Acid
Red Asian Ginseng botanical illustration
№ 14 · CH.02

Red Asian Ginseng

Panax ginseng

The 'true' ginseng, used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 2,000 years.

Ginsenosides
Ginkgo Biloba botanical illustration
№ 15 · CH.02

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba

One of the oldest living tree species on Earth, dating back 270 million years.

Flavone GlycosidesTerpene Lactones
Astragalus botanical illustration
№ 16 · CH.02

Astragalus

Astragalus membranaceus

One of the most important herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine, used for over 2,000 years as a Qi tonic.

AstragalosidesAstragalus Polysaccharides

We publish every dose, every source, every paper we leaned on. An informed customer is our only kind.

Browse the full library
From the Journal

Keep reading.

Journal · ashwagandha
Mar 12, 2026

The Science of Adaptogens: How Your Body's Stress Response Actually Works

Adaptogen" has become a marketing term. The pharmacological category is real — here's the actual mechanism behind the HPA axis, allostatic load, and what each major adaptogen is specifically doing.

Read article→

— End of entry

Put Holy Basil to work.

Browse the products it’s in, or build a stack around the goal it serves best.

Shop products Build a stackBack to the library