Trusted Source Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) isn’t like the sweet basil in your mom’s marinara sauce or the Thai herb you use to flavor a steaming bowl of pho.

This green leafy plant, also known as Ocimum sanctum L. and tulsi, is native to Southeast Asia. It has a history within Indian medicine as a treatment for many conditions, from eye diseases to ringworms.

From the leaves to the seed, holy basil is considered a tonic for the body, mind, and spirit. Different parts of the plant are recommended for treating different conditions:Many studies support the use of the entire plant of holy basil for human use and its therapeutic value. The nutritional valueTrusted Source is also high, as it contains:

• vitamin A and C
• calcium
• zinc
• iron
• chlorophyll

 Tulsi Rama has been shown to have other health benefits such as  antidepressant and antianxiety properties similar to antidepressant drugs. Studies have shown that it can help people feel more social and less anxious.

Holy basil is also high in antioxidants and helps your body detox. StudiesTrusted Source show that holy basil can protect your body against toxic chemicals. It may also prevent cancer by reducing the growth of cancerous cells.

If you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, all parts of the holy basil plant can help reduce your blood sugar. AnimalTrusted Source and human studies have shown that holy basil can help prevent symptoms of diabetes such as:

• weight gain
• hyperinsulinemia, or excess insulin in the blood
• high cholesterol
• insulin resistance
• hypertension

In the early animal study cited, rats that received holy basil extract saw a 26.4 percent decreaseTrusted Source in blood sugar after 30 days. Blood sugar in rats that were fed holy basil leaf powder also decreased after a month.

Talk to your doctor before adding holy basil to your diet. If you’re already taking medications to control blood sugar, it may lower your blood sugar levels even more.

Since holy basil targets metabolic stress, it can also help with weight loss and cholesterol levels.

Animal studies saw significant changes in rabbits’ fat molecules when they ate fresh holy basil leaves. They had lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) and higher “good” cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol).

One animal study found that the oil in holy basil (eugenol) lowers stress-induced cholesterol levels. There was a reduction of total cholesterol in the kidney, liver, or heart in rats with and without diabetes after they ate holy basil leaf powder.

Imagine being able to tackle stress, anxiety, and inflammation with a relaxing cup of tea made with the leaves of holy basil.

As an adaptogen with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, holy basil provides all of these benefits. It can even help people with arthritis or fibromyalgia.

Holy basil can counteract the effects of stress-induced ulcers. It naturally increases your stomach’s defense by:

• decreasing stomach acid
• increasing mucus secretion
• increasing mucus cells
• extending life of mucus cells

Many drugs for peptic ulcers have side effects and can cause discomfort in some people. Holy basil may be a preferred alternative. One animal study showed that 200 mg of holy basil extract reduced both the number and index of ulcers significantly in two-thirds of the animals.

SUMMARY: Holy basil has been shown to boost your body’s health in a variety of ways. It can help protect against infection, lower your blood sugar, lower your cholesterol, ease joint pain, and protect your stomach.