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Dietary supplement

Tulsi Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Banyan Botanicals

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

Tulsi is a dietary supplement by Banyan Botanicals 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 Tulsi. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Tulsi by Banyan Botanicals

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 a single active ingredient: tulsi (holy basil), supplied as a powder. There are no inactive ingredients listed.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

This is a single-ingredient Holy Basil product and its label doesn't state a use — see Holy Basil's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence we hold on tulsi's effectiveness is limited. It's rated as having insufficient reliable evidence for generalized anxiety, asthma, headache, respiratory tract infections, dental plaque, and diabetes.

That means we don't yet have high-quality data to confirm or deny how well it works for these uses. If you're considering tulsi for any of these reasons, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about what the current research does and doesn't show.

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.

Tulsi powder is generally well tolerated in the short term, though long-term safety data in humans are sparse. The most common side effects when taken by mouth are loose stools and nausea—a small number of trial participants reported these.

Because animal studies raise safety concerns and human data are not established, the safety data advises against tulsi during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before use.

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, check your medications against these types: blood thinners (anticoagulants) and antiplatelet drugs like aspirin, which carry a Moderate risk of increased bleeding; diabetes medications, which carry a Moderate risk of low blood sugar; and pentobarbital (a sedative barbiturate), which carries a Moderate risk of increased drowsiness. Use the medication search tool on this page to look up your exact prescriptions.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Tulsi is generally well tolerated for short-term use but has documented interactions with blood thinners, diabetes drugs, and barbiturate sedatives. If you take any of those medication types—or any prescription at all—check your exact drugs against the medication checker before starting.

Pregnant and nursing people should avoid it. Otherwise, a quick conversation with your pharmacist can help you decide if it's right for you.

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 Jan 24, 2024.

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 Tulsi, straight from the product label.

Brand Banyan Botanicals
Barcode (UPC) 618192067338
Net contents 2.41 Ounce(s); 68 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 24, 2024
DSLD ID 305746
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic
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 Tulsi by Banyan Botanicals, 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:
0.25 Teaspoon(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.5 Teaspoon(s)
Servings per container
71
UPC/BARCODE
618192067338
IngredientAmount% DV
Tulsi0.5 Teaspoon(s)--

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

Suggested use: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon with warm water, once or twice daily, or as directed by your health practitioner.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

Ayurvedic herbs

Seals/Symbols

USDA Organic

Formulation

USDA Organic Certified Organic Certified Organic by: QAI

See for yourself

Tulsi by Banyan Botanicals label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Tulsi by Banyan Botanicals

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

Serving size0.25 Teaspoon(s) Dosage formPowder Servings per container71 Amounts shown are per serving.

Tulsi

Interacts with
212 drugs
0.5 Teaspoon(s) 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...

Tulsi monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Tulsi by Banyan Botanicals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Tulsi?

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

Tulsi 212

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Tulsi 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.

Tulsi3 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 Tulsi, from the product label.

Banyan Botanicals

See all Banyan Botanicals products
Name
Banyan Botanicals
City
Albuquerque
State
NM
ZipCode
87113
Phone Number
1-800-953-6424
Web Address
banyanbotanicals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Tulsi by Banyan Botanicals: Common Questions

Does Tulsi by Banyan Botanicals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Tulsi 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?
Tulsi 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 is tulsi, and what is it supposed to do?
Tulsi is also called holy basil, a plant used in traditional medicine. This product is a powder form of the herb. The evidence we hold doesn't confirm it's effective for anxiety, asthma, headache, infections, dental plaque, or diabetes—we'd need more high-quality studies to know for sure.
What are the side effects?
Tulsi is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are loose stools and nausea—a small number of people in clinical trials reported these. It tastes bitter. Long-term safety data are limited, so we know less about risks from extended use.
Can I take this while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Animal data raise safety concerns and human safety isn't established, so the data advises against tulsi during pregnancy. The same applies to breastfeeding—there isn't enough reliable safety information. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your situation.
Does tulsi interact with diabetes medications?
Yes—it's a Moderate concern. Small clinical studies show tulsi can lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, so taking it with diabetes drugs could theoretically increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Check your exact medications with our search tool, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before starting.
Does tulsi interact with blood thinners?
Yes—it's a Moderate concern. Tulsi seed oil may theoretically increase bleeding risk when combined with blood thinners (anticoagulants) or antiplatelet drugs like aspirin. Animal studies show it can prolong bleeding time, but this hasn't been confirmed in humans. Check your exact medications before starting.

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

Not sure if Tulsi 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.

Tulsi label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Tulsi'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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