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Dietary supplement

Holy Basil Extract 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Holy Basil Extract 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage with 1 active ingredient. 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.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Holy Basil Extract 500 mg by Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

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

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 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: holy basil extract at 500 mg per capsule. Holy basil (also called tulsi) is a plant extract traditionally used in herbal medicine.

The capsule itself and the inactive ingredients—microcrystalline cellulose, silica, and rice bran—are fillers and binders with no active role.

Does it work?

Not established
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
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Holy Basil's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Stress support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Stress, Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Insomnia, Anxiety, Worry, Sleep quality.
  • 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 Insomnia, Stress.

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that holy basil extract works for any of the conditions it's marketed for—including anxiety, asthma, headache, respiratory infections, dental plaque, or diabetes. All six conditions have insufficient reliable evidence to rate its effectiveness.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the data isn't strong enough yet for us to say either way.

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 extract is generally well tolerated for short-term use in adults, though long-term safety data are sparse. In clinical trials, a small number of participants reported nausea or loose stools when taking it orally.

The safety data advise against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because animal research raises concerns and human safety isn't established. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

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 you start, ask your doctor or pharmacist to review any blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs), diabetes medications, or barbiturates like pentobarbital you're taking. Altogether, these interactions span 212 individual medications.

The interactions are moderate severity, meaning effects are possible but not fully confirmed in humans.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Holy basil extract may be worth considering if you're interested in traditional herbal support, but the science doesn't yet confirm it works for the claims on the label. If you take a blood thinner, diabetes medication, or sedative, check with your doctor or pharmacist first—moderate interactions are documented.

And it's not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding based on current safety information.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 19, 2021.

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 Extract 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
Barcode (UPC) 849327003406
Net contents 90 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 19, 2021
DSLD ID 256794
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar 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 Extract 500 mg by Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, 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 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
90
UPC/BARCODE
849327003406
IngredientAmount% DV
Holy Basil extract500 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Capsule, Silica, Rice Bran

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.
General Statements

Our unique story It was 1955 when Margaret and Philip Isely started Natural Grocers with $200 and a dream to make healthy living attainable for everyone. Now this family legacy is evolving with Natural Grocers Brand supplements, bringing you premium quality products at Always Affordable prices.

Formulation

We only put our name on formulas that meet our unrivaled quality standards, and we continue raising the bar on these standards without raising the bar on your budget. Our supplements are GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certified, ingredient verified, screened for heavy metals, and formulated without questionable fillers, artificial colors, sweeteners, flavors, and other problematic ingredients. We scrutinize every detail, so you don't have to, because we are, and always have been, your Original good4u Grocers. To your health, - The Isely Family

Our supplements are GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certified, ingredient verified, screened for heavy metals, and formulated without questionable fillers, artificial colors, sweeteners, flavors, and other problematic ingredients.

Stress support

Gluten free

Vegetarian

Made in USA

BPA Free

Contains no: Sugar, salt, dairy, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, preservatives, magnesium stearate, artificial colors or flavors.

Seals/Symbols

GMP Good Manufacturing Practice

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, adults take one (1) vegetarian capsule daily, or as directed by a health care professional.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place and away from direct light.

Precautions

Caution: As with any supplement, consult your healthcare practitioner before using this product, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or are under medical supervision for any reason.

Keep out of reach of children.

For serious adverse event reporting call (877) 455-2826.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

See for yourself

Holy Basil Extract 500 mg by Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Holy Basil Extract 500 mg by Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

Holy Basil extract

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...

Holy Basil extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Capsule, Silica, Rice Bran. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Holy Basil Extract 500 mg by Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Holy Basil Extract 500 mg?

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

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Holy Basil Extract 500 mg 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
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Holy Basil Extract 500 mg, from the product label.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

See all Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage products
Name
Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc.
City
Lakewood
State
CO
ZipCode
80228
Phone Number
877-455-2826
Web Address
www.naturalgrocers.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Holy Basil Extract 500 mg by Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage: Common Questions

Does Holy Basil Extract 500 mg by Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Holy Basil Extract 500 mg 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 Extract 500 mg contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism 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.
What are the side effects?
In clinical trials, a small number of people reported nausea or loose stools when taking holy basil orally. Overall, it seems well tolerated short-term, though we don't have robust long-term safety data.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No—the safety data advise against it in both cases. Animal research raises concerns and human safety isn't established. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Does holy basil actually work for anxiety or the other conditions listed?
The evidence we have isn't reliable enough to say yes or no. All the claims on the label—anxiety, asthma, headache, respiratory infections, dental plaque, and diabetes—have insufficient evidence to rate. More research would help.
What is holy basil?
It's an extract from the holy basil plant (also called tulsi), used traditionally in herbal medicine. This product delivers 500 mg of that extract per capsule.
Will this affect my blood sugar medication?
Possibly—small studies show holy basil can lower blood glucose levels, so combining it with diabetes drugs might increase the risk of low blood sugar. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it alongside any diabetes medication.
Is there anything in this besides the active ingredient?
The capsule and the other inactive ingredients—microcrystalline cellulose, silica, and rice bran—are fillers and binders. The active ingredient is the holy basil extract itself.

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

Not sure if Holy Basil Extract 500 mg is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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 Extract 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Holy Basil Extract 500 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Holy Basil Extract 500 mg'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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