Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 2 of 3 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Tulsi - Holy Basil Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Organic India

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

Tulsi - Holy Basil is a dietary supplement by Organic India with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for stress and anxiety, blood sugar support, respiratory complaints.Based on those ingredients, 379 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Basil, Holy Basil. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Tulsi - Holy Basil by Organic India

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 3 of its 3 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains three active ingredients: two forms of holy basil and basil. The capsule shell is made from pullulan, an inactive ingredient.

Holy basil and basil are both plant extracts traditionally used in herbal medicine, though the evidence supporting their effectiveness for specific conditions remains limited in our data.

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.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Daily immune support and antioxidant respiratory health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Common cold, Respiratory tract infections, Stress, Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Immune function, Cough — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Basil is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Common cold (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Holy Basil is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Respiratory tract infections, Stress.

The evidence we hold does not establish that holy basil works for generalized anxiety, asthma, headache, respiratory infections, dental plaque, or diabetes. Basil's effectiveness for acne, headache, common cold, constipation, diarrhea, or flatulence is also not established in our data.

If you're considering this product for one of these uses, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about whether the clinical evidence supports it for your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Holy Basil 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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Holy basil is generally well tolerated in the short term, but we don't have solid long-term safety data on it. The most common side effects are loose stools and nausea; a small number of trial participants experienced these.

Basil is safe when eaten as food in normal amounts, but concentrated extracts like those in supplements are less studied. One case of allergic contact dermatitis was reported with occupational basil exposure, though that's rare.

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, the safety data advises against holy basil — animal data raise concerns and human safety isn't established. For basil specifically during pregnancy and lactation, the data is mixed; talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Holy Basil 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?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Basil, Holy Basil.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 379 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, double-check if you're on blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelets like warfarin or aspirin), diabetes medications, blood pressure medications (antihypertensives), or pentobarbital (Nembutal). Holy basil and basil can interact with all of these and change how they work in your body.

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.

This product may be worth considering if you're interested in traditional herbal support and don't take blood thinners, diabetes medications, blood pressure drugs, or sedatives like pentobarbital. If you take any of those medications, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your pharmacist first.

The long-term safety data on holy basil is limited, so it's best used short-term unless your doctor advises otherwise.

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 Nov 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 Tulsi - Holy Basil, straight from the product label.

Brand Organic India
Net contents 30 Daily Pack(s); 30 Vegetable Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 22, 2023
DSLD ID 300183
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Organic, Halal
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 - Holy Basil by Organic India, 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
IngredientAmount% DV
Holy Basil100 mg--
Holy Basil100 mg--
Basil100 mg--

Other ingredients: Pullulan

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

30 day Supply

Easy open dispenser

New

Beginning with a single farmer in 1999, the Organic India farmer partner community has grown to over 3,000 farm families throughout India. Scan QR code to learn more. Meet the farmers

Formulation

Whole-herb Ayruvedic formulations, backed by science, for daily immune support.

Healthy Conscious Living Holistic Convenient Simple Economical Sustainable Antioxidant Respiratory Support Fortified Defense

USDA Organic

Non GMO Project Verified nongmoproject.org

Immune Support Daily Pack Take the guesswork out of your supplement routine. Optimize immune function with this convenient pack of ancient Ayurvedic adaptogens.

Respiratory Support Andrographs servers as a powerful addition to the classic respiratory support benefits of Tulsi.

Certified Organic by Control Union-CU 801983 Product produced and processed according to NPOP standard of India USDA-NOP NPOP/NAB/0010 www.controlunion.com

Product of India for export to USA

Vegan - Vegetarian - Gluten Free

Vegan - Vegetarian - Gluten Free

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

USDA Organic Non GMO Project Verified nongmoproject.org Certified B Corporation

OU Kosher Halal

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.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 1 pack daily with food and water. Each pack contains:

Precautions

If pregnant or nursing consult your physician prior to use.

WARNING: Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

Formula

OU Kosher

Halal

See for yourself

Tulsi - Holy Basil by Organic India label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Tulsi - Holy Basil by Organic India

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

Interacts with
212 drugs
100 mg per serving Form: Ocimum sanctum

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 monograph & interactions

Holy Basil

Interacts with
212 drugs
100 mg per serving Form: Ocimum sanctum

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 monograph & interactions

Basil

Interacts with
289 drugs
100 mg per serving Form: Ocimum gratissimum

Basil is a popular cooking herb that is generally safe in the amounts used in food. While it has a long history of traditional medicinal use and conta...

Basil monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Tulsi - Holy Basil by Organic India Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Tulsi - 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
379Drugs
379 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Basil 289

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

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

Basil2 drug types · 289 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, basil might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro and animal studies suggest that basil oils and extracts inhibit platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, basil might increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.
Animal research suggests that basil extract can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Holy Basil3 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 - Holy Basil, from the product label.

Organic India

See all Organic India products
Name
Organic India USA
City
Boulder
State
CO
ZipCode
80301
Phone Number
1-888-550-8332
Web Address
OrganicIndiaUSA.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Tulsi - Holy Basil by Organic India: Common Questions

Does Tulsi - Holy Basil by Organic India interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Tulsi - Holy Basil has a known interaction with 379 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Tulsi - 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 this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — the safety data advises against holy basil during pregnancy because animal data raise concerns and human safety isn't established. There's also not enough reliable safety information for breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or 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 trial, a small number of participants taking holy basil capsules experienced these. Overall, it's generally well tolerated in the short term.
Is there good evidence this works for anxiety or other conditions?
Not in our data. Holy basil and basil don't have reliable evidence supporting their use for generalized anxiety, asthma, headache, diabetes, or the other conditions listed. If you're interested in using it, talk with your pharmacist about what the science actually shows.
Is basil safe to use as a supplement?
Basil is safe as a food in normal amounts, but concentrated extracts in supplements are less studied. The safety data recommends avoiding medicinal doses and essential oils because we don't have enough information on them. If you're thinking about medicinal doses, check with your pharmacist first.
How long can I take this safely?
Holy basil is generally well tolerated in the short term, but we don't have good long-term safety data. It's best to use it short-term unless your doctor advises otherwise. Talk with your pharmacist about how long it's appropriate for your situation.

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

Not sure if Tulsi - Holy Basil 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 - Holy Basil label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Tulsi - 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 15 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 →

Basil 7 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  3. Tognolini, M., Barocelli, E., Ballabeni, V., Bruni, R., Bianchi, A., Chiavarini, M., and Impicciatore, M. Comparative screening of plant essential oils: phenylpropanoid moiety as basic core for antiplatelet activity. Life Sci. 2-23-2006;78(13):1419-1432. PubMed
  4. Tohti, I., Tursun, M., Umar, A., Turdi, S., Imin, H., and Moore, N. Aqueous extracts of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) decrease platelet aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin in vitro and rats arterio--venous shunt thrombosis in vivo. Thromb.Res 200 PubMed
  5. Amrani, S., Harnafi, H., Gadi, D., Mekhfi, H., Legssyer, A., Aziz, M., Martin-Nizard, F., and Bosca, L. Vasorelaxant and anti-platelet aggregation effects of aqueous Ocimum basilicum extract. J Ethnopharmacol. 8-17-2009;125(1):157-162. PubMed
  6. Umar, A., Imam, G., Yimin, W., Kerim, P., Tohti, I., Berke, B., and Moore, N. Antihypertensive effects of Ocimum basilicum L. (OBL) on blood pressure in renovascular hypertensive rats. Hypertens.Res 5-7-2010; PubMed
  7. Kiec-Swierczynska M, Krecisz B, Chomiczewska D, et al. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by basil (Ocimum basilicum). Contact Dermatitis 2010;63(6):365-7.

See these in context on the 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

Keep exploring