Sacred basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum, Sp. Pl.: 597 (1753))

Family: Lamiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 597 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ocimum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Asia to W. Pacific

Description

Sacred basil, scientifically known as Ocimum tenuiflorum, is an esteemed herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Its significance transcends culinary applications, deeply rooted in traditional medicine and spiritual practices, particularly in regions across Tropical and Subtropical Asia to the Western Pacific.

Revered for its myriad medicinal properties, Sacred basil, or “Tulsi” as it is commonly called in India, is often considered a potent adaptogen. This means it helps the body adapt to stress and restore physiological balance. Ayurvedic medicine, which regards the plant as the ‘queen of herbs’, uses Sacred basil to treat a range of conditions, including respiratory disorders, skin ailments, and stress-related conditions. The leaves, seeds, and essential oils derived from the plant contain various bioactive compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antioxidant properties.

In many Asian cultures, Sacred basil is not just a medicinal herb but also a sacred plant. It is often cultivated in homes and temples, revered for its believed ability to purify and bless the environment. Its spiritual significance is tied to rituals and daily practices, where offering prayers to the plant is thought to ensure familial well-being and harmony.

The plant itself is a robust, aromatic herb that thrives in warm, sunny climates, making it an ideal grower in tropical and subtropical regions. It typically features green to purple leaves, small white to purplish flowers, and a distinctly clove-like aroma, attributed to its high eugenol content.

Sacred basil continues to be the focus of extensive research today, as modern science seeks to explore and validate its traditional uses and potential new applications in promoting health and wellness.

Common Names

Spa: albahaca morada
Eng: brush-leaf-tea, holy basil, sacred basil
Swe: helig basilika
Khm: ម្រះព្រៅ
En: Sacred basil, Brush-leaf-tea, Holy basil, Tulasih, तुलसी
Af: Heilige basilie
Ar: حبق رقيق الأزهار
As: তুলসী
Bn: তুলসী
Bg: Свещен босилек
Zh: 圣罗勒
Hr: Tulsi
Cs: Bazalka indická
Et: Püha basiilik
Fi: Pyhäbasilika
De: Indisches Basilikum
El: Ώκιμον το λεπτανθές
Gu: તુલસી
Hi: Tulsi, तुलसी
Id: Kemangi
Jv: Kemangi
Kn: ತುಳಸಿ
Km: ម្រះព្រៅ
Ko: 홀리바질
Ms: Kemangi
Ml: തുളസി
Mr: तुळस
Ne: तुलसी
Or: ତୁଳସୀ ଗଛ
Pa: ਤੁਲਸੀ
Fa: ریحان مقدس
Pl: Bazylia azjatycka
Pt-br: Manjericão-branco
Ru: Туласи
Sa: तुलसी
Sd: تلسي
Es: Albahaca morada, Albahaca cimarrona, Albahaca morada criolla
Su: Surawung
Sv: Helig basilika
Ta: துளசி
Te: తులసి
Th: กะเพรา
Uk: Туласі
Ur: تلسى
Vi: Hương nhu tía

Synonyms

• Ocimum scutellarioides (Willd. ex Benth.)
• Ocimum monachorum (L.)
• Plectranthus monachorum ((L.) Spreng.)
• Ocimum hirsutum (Benth.)
• Ocimum inodorum (Burm.f.)
• Moschosma tenuiflorum ((L.) Heynh.)
• Ocimum tenuiflorum f. villicaulis (Domin)
• Ocimum sanctum (L.)
• Ocimum sanctum var. hirsutum ((Benth.) Hook.f.)
• Ocimum villosum (Roxb.)
• Ocimum subserratum (B.Heyne ex Hook.f.)
• Ocimum sanctum var. cubensis (Gomes)
• Geniosporum tenuiflorum ((L.) Merr.)
• Lumnitzera tenuiflora ((L.) Spreng.)
• Ocimum flexuosum (Blanco)
• Ocimum tomentosum (Lam.)

Distribution

• Andaman Is. (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Bismarck Archipelago (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Marshall Is. (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• South China Sea (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Vanuatu (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Line Is. (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
• Tokelau-Manihiki (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Manoj Kumar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2020 by Jean-Marie Tognola (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by amandine escarguel (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 21, 2022 by barua upasana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2021 by Vipul Kumar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2022 by Kajul Rajput (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2020 by kavya rag (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2021 by utsah prajoo (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Khabibullin Ruslan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2021 by plant_doc (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2020 by Jean-Marie Tognola (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2021 by victor singh ayam (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by amandine escarguel (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 7, 2020 by pranjul chauhan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Munashe Madez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Munashe Madez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2021 by ch Krishnakumar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 13, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Himanshi Sharma (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Pankaj Sharma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2022 by Amar Koli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2022 by Patrick Mussard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 13, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 5, 1954 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Colin Alistair Pendry (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:453130-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2927100)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ocimum tenuiflorum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth