Is Tulsi Tea Safe With Xanax and Propranolol?
Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is a popular Ayurvedic herb often brewed as a calming tea. Here we look at how it fits alongside low-dose Xanax (alprazolam) for anxiety and as-needed propranolol.
Can I drink Tulsi tea while taking low-dose Xanax for anxiety? I was also prescribed propranolol as needed (PRN). I do not take any other medications. I am 68 years old. (I also take vitamin B12 and vitamin D3.)
Jul 25, 2026- A cup or two of tulsi tea daily is unlikely to cause significant problems with low-dose Xanax or propranolol taken as needed, though this combination hasn't been formally studied.
- Tulsi has mild calming effects that could add to Xanax's sedating effects, so watch for increased drowsiness, fogginess, or unsteadiness and tell your doctor if you notice these.
- Tulsi may modestly lower blood pressure, which could have a small additive effect with propranolol, so pay attention to lightheadedness or dizziness especially when standing up quickly.
- Your vitamin B12 and vitamin D3 supplements are not a concern with any of these medications or with tulsi.
Hello, and thank you for bringing this question to HelloPharmacist!
Drinking tulsi (holy basil) tea in ordinary amounts, a cup or two a day, isn't known to have a significant interaction with low-dose Xanax (alprazolam) or with propranolol taken as needed.
Having said that, it's important to note that this combination hasn't been formally studied, and tulsi does have a few mild effects of its own that overlap with what your medications do, so there are a couple of things I want to discuss in the sections below.
Why Tulsi and Xanax Can Overlap
Tulsi has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine for stress and anxiety, and small human studies suggest it may have mild calming, stress-reducing effects. That's likely part of why you're drinking it, but it also means its effects can add to those of alprazolam, a benzodiazepine that works by calming activity in the central nervous system.
For most people, a cup of tea alongside a low dose of Xanax simply isn't potent enough to cause trouble, but if you notice you feel drowsier, foggier, or more unsteady than usual, that may be your cue to cut back and mention it to your doctor.
This is worth a little extra attention at 68, since older adults tend to be more sensitive to sedation and to the fall risk that comes with it.
How Tulsi May Interact With Propranolol
Tulsi may modestly lower blood pressure and blood sugar in some people, and propranolol is a beta-blocker that lowers heart rate and blood pressure. In theory, the two could have a small additive effect, so pay attention to any new lightheadedness or dizziness, especially when standing up quickly, on days when you've taken a propranolol dose.
A Quick Word on Your Vitamins
Your vitamin B12 and vitamin D3 are not a concern here.
Neither is known to interact with alprazolam, propranolol, or tulsi, so you can keep taking those as you have been. You can read more about tulsi on our Holy Basil interaction page if you'd like additional detail on the herb itself.
Final Words
To sum everything up here, a daily cup or two of tulsi tea is unlikely to cause a problem with your low-dose Xanax or as-needed propranolol, but since the combination hasn't been well studied, keep an eye out for extra drowsiness or dizziness and let your doctor or pharmacist know you're drinking it regularly. Thanks again for reaching out, and feel free to write back anytime!
You may also find these related HelloPharmacist resources helpful:
References & sources
- Propranolol Structured Product Labeling — DailyMed
- Alprazolam Structured Product Labeling — DailyMed
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of an Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) extract (HolixerTM) on stress, mood, and sleep in adults experiencing stress — PubMed
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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