AOR Holy Basil Details Traditional Indian herb Wide array of uses in Ayurvedic medicine Antioxidant Clinically studied dose In the traditional Indian school of medicine known as Ayurveda, various parts of the Holy Basil plant (leaves, stems, flowers and roots) have been used for the treatment of a large number of conditions, including bronchitis, bronchial asthma, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, skin diseases, arthritis, painful eye diseases, chronic fever and insect bites. In addition to this, holy basil has been suggested to possess anticancer, antidiabetic, antifungal, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antiemetic, antispasmodic, analgesic, adaptogenic and diaphoretic actions. Scientists have begun to investigate the pharmacology and therapeutic potential of this herb and these studies have established a scientific basis for the use of holy basil for many of these conditions. Thus far, glucose metabolism and anxiety management are the ones that have reached the all-important clinical stage involving human trials. Although the other conditions remain in the animal or in-vitro stages, they are nevertheless compelling.
