A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF OCIMUM SANCTUM

Abstract

Tulsi is often regarded as “the incomparable one”, “Elixir of life” and Queen of herbs”. Tulsi is being used for about a thousand years to support a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Tulsi is believed to have originated in northern central India but grows throughout the Indian subcontinent, Nepal, Bangladesh and much of Southeast Asia. Across different cultures, it is a symbol of purity. It is used to treat various types of diseases and disorders from ancient times. It has tremendous medicinal properties and is used to treat heart diseases, digestive issues, respiratory problems, menstrual cramps, skin related disorders like acne, and mouth ulcers and even helps in controlling blood sugar levels. It is significantly used as an immune-modulatory, antihypertensive, antioxidant, antipyretic, antimicrobial and for anticancer activity. Phytochemicals like Eugenol, methyl eugenol, anthocyanins, linalool, ursolic acid are accountable for the pharmacological properties of the Tulsi. In this report we will discuss about the different varieties of Tulsi, its classification, traditional uses, it’s phytochemicals constitution and the pharmacological activities