Evidence supporting the use of: Holy Basil Herb
For the body system: Adrenal Cortex

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum), also known as Tulsi, has been used traditionally in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to support the body’s response to physical and emotional stress. This traditional use is closely related to the concept of supporting the "adrenals" or "adrenal cortex," as these glands are responsible for producing hormones (like cortisol) that help the body cope with stress. In Ayurveda, Holy Basil is considered an adaptogen—a substance believed to help the body adapt to stress and maintain balance.

Modern scientific research on Holy Basil has focused mostly on its anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Some animal and limited human studies suggest Holy Basil extracts may reduce physiological markers of stress and help normalize stress-induced biochemical changes, potentially supporting adrenal function indirectly. However, there is not yet direct clinical evidence that Holy Basil specifically targets or enhances the adrenal cortex’s function in humans. Most scientific support remains preliminary and is often extrapolated from general stress-adaptation effects seen in animal models or small human trials.

Overall, while Holy Basil’s use for adrenal support is rooted in longstanding tradition and supported by some suggestive preclinical evidence for stress adaptation, high-quality human studies directly linking it to adrenal cortex health or function are lacking. Thus, its use for this purpose is best described as “traditional,” with a moderate evidence rating.

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