Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 3 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Holy Basil Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Himalaya

Holy Basil label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 23, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Holy Basil against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Holy Basil is a dietary supplement by Himalaya with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for stress and anxiety, blood sugar support, respiratory complaints.Based on those ingredients, 212 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Holy Basil extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Holy Basil by Himalaya

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Holy Basil by Himalaya — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Holy Basil by Himalaya

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Aug 6, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 3 of its 3 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Holy Basil by Himalaya contains 3 active ingredients: holy basil extract, organic holy basil powder, and holy basil supercritical CO2 extract. These are concentrated forms of the same plant—tulsi—used in traditional Ayurvedic practice.

The product also contains cellulose as an inactive ingredient (a capsule binder and filler).

Does it work?

Insufficient evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Insufficient

There isn't enough reliable clinical evidence to rate this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: stress and anxiety support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Stress, adaptogenic support, nervous system balance.
  • The closest evidence on file: Holy Basil is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Holy Basil is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Stress.

The evidence for holy basil isn't established in our data. The product is marketed for anxiety, asthma, headaches, respiratory infections, dental plaque, and blood sugar control, but our monograph rates all of these as having insufficient reliable evidence to rate its effectiveness.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work—it means high-quality studies haven't yet confirmed it does.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Holy Basil

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Holy basil is generally well tolerated short-term in adults, but we don't have solid long-term safety data. The most common side effects when taken by mouth are loose stools and nausea—a small number of trial participants reported these.

Because animal data raise safety concerns and human evidence is limited, the safety data advises against it during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Holy Basil

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Holy Basil.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 212 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, have your doctor or pharmacist check if you take any blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, diabetes medications, or pentobarbital or other sedatives. Holy basil may increase bleeding risk with anticoagulants, raise low-blood-sugar risk with diabetes drugs, and intensify sedation with pentobarbital.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with insufficient evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Holy Basil by Himalaya may be worth considering if you're interested in traditional herbal support, but it's not for everyone. If you take blood thinners, diabetes medications, or sedatives like pentobarbital, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

Check your specific medications with the tool on this page.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 3 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Mar 22, 2023.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Holy Basil, straight from the product label.

Brand Himalaya
Barcode (UPC) 605069062817
Net contents 30 Vegetarian Capsules
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 22, 2023
DSLD ID 282987
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Holy Basil by Himalaya, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
605069062817
IngredientAmount% DV
Holy Basil extract160 mg--
organic Holy Basil powder500 mg--
Holy Basil supercritical CO2 extract60 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formulation

No wheat, corn, soy, or dairy. No ingredients of animal origin. Gluten free

No ingredients of animal origin. Vegan friendly

cGMP Product of India

Promote tranquility & relaxation Cultivates adrenal wellness

Non GMO

General Statements

Neutral Code No.: KR/Drugs/DLA AUS-83 Mfg. Lic. No. AUS-83 Questions? Please call 1-800-869-4640 or visit www.himalayausa.com HUS-5050092

15 day supply

Our cartons are made from 100% recycled fibers, including 40% post-consumer material. Our glass bottles contain at least 48% recycled content.

Happiness through wellness Crafting traditional medicines based on Ayurveda, a 5,000 year old science that believes the journey back to wholeness begins with nurturing the capacity for joy. Trusting the gifts of nature and the irreplaceable relationship between the plant and its native soil for consistent healing properties. Contributing to the wellness of the earth by teaching our family of farmers to grow native plants sustainably on their land and reduce the demand on the local environment. Building communities by advocating women in farming, protecting fair prices, providing maternal health, sponsoring clinical services and offering school wellness programs. Believing that if wellness is the path to happiness, we must contribute to the wellness of all things. Wellness of people, wellness of the environment, wellness of our communities. Family owned for over 90 years

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Formula

Originally known as Tulasi which, when translated, alludes to its effect on meditation.

The original name for Holy Basil was Tulasi, which refers to a figure considered the most devout in the ancient mythology of India, alluding to the effect it has on focus, meditation and attention. Researchers have found that several compounds in Holy Basil may exert a positive effect on the stress response system. Featured herb on front: Holy basil (aerial parts)

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended use: Adults take 1 capsule twice daily before meals.

Precautions

Caution: As with any supplement, consult a healthcare practitioner before use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, have a medical condition or are planning any medical procedure.

Discontinue use and consult a healthcare practitioner if any adverse reactions occur.

Keep out of reach of children.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Himalaya Since 1930

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Non GMO Project Verified Nongmoproject.org

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Holy Basil by Himalaya label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Holy Basil label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Holy Basil by Himalaya

These are the 3 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Holy Basil extract

Interacts with
212 drugs
160 mg per serving

Holy basil (tulsi) is a traditional Ayurvedic herb most often used today for stress and general wellness, but the human evidence is mostly small and p...

Holy Basil extract monograph & interactions

Organic Holy Basil powder

Interacts with
212 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: Oleanolic Acid, Ursolic Acid

Holy basil (tulsi) is a traditional Ayurvedic herb most often used today for stress and general wellness, but the human evidence is mostly small and p...

Organic Holy Basil powder monograph & interactions

Holy Basil supercritical CO2 extract

Interacts with
212 drugs
60 mg per serving Form: Oleanolic Acid, Ursolic acid

Holy basil (tulsi) is a traditional Ayurvedic herb most often used today for stress and general wellness, but the human evidence is mostly small and p...

Holy Basil supercritical CO2 extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Holy Basil by Himalaya Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Holy Basil?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
212Drugs
212 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Holy Basil extract 212

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Holy Basil interact with 212 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 3 ingredients in Holy Basil interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Holy Basil extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Holy Basil with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Holy Basil extract3 drug types · 212 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, holy basil seed oil might increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Animal research shows that holy basil seed oil can prolong bleeding time, possibly due to inhibition of platelet aggregation. However, it is not known if this occurs in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, holy basil might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Small clinical studies show that taking holy basil can decrease fasting blood glucose and other measures of glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Theoretically, holy basil seed oil might increase the sedative effects of pentobarbital.
Animal research shows that holy basil seed oil increases pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time. However, it is not known if this occurs in humans or if this applies to other barbiturates or sedatives.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Holy Basil extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Holy Basil, from the product label.

Himalaya

See all Himalaya products
Name
Himalaya Wellness USA Ltd.
Street Address
1101 Gillingham Lane
City
Sugar Land
State
Texas
ZipCode
77478
Phone Number
1-800-869-4640
Web Address
www.himalayausa.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Holy Basil by Himalaya: Common Questions

Does Holy Basil by Himalaya interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Holy Basil has a known interaction with 212 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Holy Basil contains 3 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take Holy Basil if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against it in both cases. Animal studies raise concerns, and there isn't enough human safety information. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What are the most common side effects?
Loose stools and nausea are the most common side effects when taken by mouth. In one clinical study, a small number of participants (two out of 24) reported these. Holy basil is generally well tolerated overall.
Does Holy Basil really help with anxiety or diabetes?
We don't have enough high-quality evidence to say. The product is marketed for generalized anxiety, diabetes, headaches, asthma, and other uses, but all of these are rated as having insufficient reliable evidence in our data.
Is Holy Basil safe to take long-term?
It's generally well tolerated short-term in adults, but high-quality long-term safety data are limited. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how long you plan to use it.
What are the active ingredients in this product?
It contains three forms of holy basil: an extract, organic powder, and a supercritical CO2 extract. All three come from the same plant, tulsi, and deliver similar active compounds.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Holy Basil is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Holy Basil label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Holy Basil’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Holy Basil

Interacts with 212 drugs

Holy basil (tulsi) is a traditional Ayurvedic herb most often used today for stress and general wellness, but the human evidence is mostly small and preliminary. It is generally well tolerat...

Read the full Holy Basil monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Holy Basil's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 8 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Holy Basil 8 references
  1. Agrawal P, Rai V, Singh RB. Randomized placebo-controlled, single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1996;34:406-9.
  2. Sakina MR, Dandiya PC, Hamdard ME, Hameed A. Preliminary psychopharmacological evaluation of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;28:143-50. PubMed
  3. Singh S, Rehan HM, Majumdar DK. Effect of Ocimum sanctum fixed oil on blood pressure, blood clotting time and pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time. J Ethnopharmacol 2001;78:139-43. PubMed
  4. Mondal, S., Varma, S., Bamola, V. D., Naik, S. N., Mirdha, B. R., Padhi, M. M., Mehta, N., and Mahapatra, S. C. Double-blinded randomized controlled trial for immunomodulatory effects of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) leaf extract on healthy volunteers. J PubMed
  5. Agarwal, P. and Nagesh, L. Comparative evaluation of efficacy of 0.2% Chlorhexidine, Listerine and Tulsi extract mouth rinses on salivary Streptococcus mutans count of high school children--RCT. Contemp.Clin Trials 2011;32(6):802-808. PubMed
  6. Vohora, S. B., Garg, S. K., and Chaudhury, R. R. Antifertility screening of plants. 3. Effect of six indigenous plants on early pregnancy in albino rats. Indian J Med Res 1969;57(5):893-899.
  7. Khanna S, Gupta SR, Grover JK. Effect of long term feeding of tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn) on reproductive performance of adult albino rats. Indian J Exp Biol 1986;24(5):302-4.
  8. Somasundaram G, Manimekalai K, Salwe KJ, Pandiamunian J. Evaluation of the antidiabetic effect of Ocimum sanctum in type 2 diabetes patients. Int J Life Sci Pharma Res 2012;2(3):75-81.

See these in context on the Holy Basil monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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