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Dietary supplement

Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Bluebonnet

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

Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract is a dietary supplement by Bluebonnet 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 leaf extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract by Bluebonnet

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 leaf extract. The capsule itself is made from vegetable cellulose, with vegetable magnesium stearate as a binder — all inactive ingredients.

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: standardized holy basil leaf extract.
  • We looked for evidence on: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Stress, Diabetes, Respiratory tract infections, Asthma, Insomnia — and 4 related terms.
  • 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 Asthma, Respiratory tract infections, Diabetes, Hypertension, and more.

The evidence for holy basil isn't established yet for most uses we hold data on. We have insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for generalized anxiety, asthma, headache, respiratory tract infections, dental plaque, or diabetes.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work — it means the high-quality studies aren't there to prove it 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 short-term in adults, but long-term safety data from rigorous trials are limited. The most common side effects from oral use are loose stools and nausea — a small number of trial participants in one study reported these.

Topically (as a mouthwash), it can leave a bitter taste. For pregnancy and breastfeeding, safety data advise against use.

The animal data raise concerns in pregnancy, and there isn't enough reliable information to support it while breastfeeding. If you're pregnant or nursing and interested in holy basil, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.

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 take this, double-check with your pharmacist if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (Moderate risk of bleeding), antidiabetes medications (Moderate risk of low blood sugar), or pentobarbital or other sedatives (Moderate risk of increased drowsiness). These are the drug types with documented interaction potential.

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 may appeal to you if you're exploring herbal options for anxiety or other uses, but the evidence isn't strong yet. Be cautious if you take blood thinners, diabetes drugs, or sedatives — check with us first.

Pregnant and nursing parents should skip it. Always run your medications through the tool on this page before starting.

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 Aug 31, 2018.

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 Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract, straight from the product label.

Brand Bluebonnet
Barcode (UPC) 743715013759
Net contents 60 Vcap(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 31, 2018
DSLD ID 179528
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, 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 Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract by Bluebonnet, 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)
UPC/BARCODE
743715013759
IngredientAmount% DV
Holy Basil leaf extract400 mg--

Other ingredients: 100% Kosher Vegetable Capsules, Vegetable Cellulose, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one vegetarian capsule daily or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.

Formula

Bluebonnet’s Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract Capsules provide a standardized extract of ursolic acid, the most researched active constituent found in holy basil.

Bluebonnet’s KOF-K certification #K-0000700

2.5% Ursolic Acid

General Statements

A clean and gentle water-based extraction method is employed to capture and preserve holy basil’s most valuable components.

New

Formulation

Available in easy-to-swallow vegetable derived capsules for maximum assimilation/ absorption and for a truly vegetarian/vegan formula.

Free of milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. Also free of yeast, gluten, barley, rice, sodium and sugar.

General

1375A

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

K Parve Gluten free V Vegetarian

See for yourself

Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract by Bluebonnet label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract by Bluebonnet

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

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

Holy Basil leaf extract

Interacts with
212 drugs
400 mg per serving Form: 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 leaf extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: 100% Kosher Vegetable Capsules, Vegetable Cellulose, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract by Bluebonnet Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract?

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 Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract 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 leaf 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 Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract, from the product label.

Bluebonnet

Name
Bluebonnet Nutrition Corporation
Street Address
12915 Dairy Ashford
City
Sugar Land
State
TX
ZipCode
77478
Web Address
www.bluebonnetnutrition.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract by Bluebonnet: Common Questions

Does Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract by Bluebonnet interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract 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?
Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract 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?
Most common are loose stools and nausea when taken by mouth. A small number of people in clinical studies reported these. If you use it as a mouthwash, expect a bitter taste. Long-term side effect data are limited.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advise against it. Animal research raises concerns in pregnancy, and there's not enough reliable information for breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's right for you.
Does holy basil actually work for anxiety?
We don't have enough reliable evidence yet to say. The studies so far aren't strong enough to rate its effectiveness for generalized anxiety or the other uses listed on the label.
Is this safe to take long-term?
Holy basil extract is well tolerated in the short term, but we don't have good long-term safety data from rigorous trials. If you're thinking of using it regularly, check with your pharmacist first.
Why does this interact with so many medications?
The single ingredient — holy basil leaf extract — has documented interaction potential with blood thinners, diabetes drugs, and sedatives. Together, those medication types represent a large number of individual drugs.

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

Not sure if Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract 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.

Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Standardized Holy Basil Leaf Extract'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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