Basil (Surasa (Arjaka, Marubaka, Marjaka, Yavani, Phanijjak))

Properties

Antimicrobial activity, Anti-inflammatory effects, Antioxidant activity, Blood sugar regulation, Cardiovascular protection

Dosage

Fresh leaves: 5–10 g per day in salads or pesto. Dried herb: 1–2 g (approximately ½–1 tsp) steeped in boiled water for tea, 2–3 times daily. Powder (capsules): 300–500 mg standardized extract, up to 3 times daily after meals. Essential oil: 1–2 drops diluted in 5 ml carrier oil for topical application; do not exceed 1% concentration. Tincture (1:3 in 45%): Take 4ml in a little water up to twice a day.

Classical attributes

• Rasa: Pungent, Bitter
• Virya: ["Heating"]
• Vipaka: ["Pungent"]

Benefits

• Deepana (appetizer)
• Pachana (digestive)
• Rochana (improves taste)
• Krimihara (anti-helminthic)

Traditional uses

• Aruchi (anorexia)
• Krimi Roga (worm infestation)
• Shwasa (asthma)
• Kasa (cough)

Dosha effects

• vata: decreasing
• kapha: decreasing
• pitta: increasing

Preparation methods

• Fresh: Basil is often used fresh in cooking, added at the end of preparation to preserve its flavor.
• Tea: Dried basil leaves can be steeped in hot water to make tea.
• Topical: Basil essential oil should be diluted with a carrier oil before applying to the skin. Concentrations up to 6% are considered safe for topical application for up to 12 weeks.
• Extracts: Basil is available in liquid/powder extract form.
• Oleoresin: Basil leaves can be used to produce oleoresin using a soxhletation method and ethyl acetate as a solvent.
• Syrup: Basil can be made into a syrup.
• Hydropriming: Basil seeds can be soaked in water for 12 hours before sowing to enhance germination rates and seedling vigor.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Basil is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data. Emmenagogue and abortifacient effects have been reported for the related species *Ocimum basilicum*.
• Low blood sugar: Basil should be avoided if you have low blood sugar.
• Medications: People taking antidiabetic, anticoagulant, or antiplatelet medications should consult their doctor before using Basil, as it may interfere with the action of these medications.
• Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity to any components of the plant species should be considered a contraindication.

Side effects

• Basil is likely safe when consumed in food amounts. However, medicinal amounts are possibly unsafe, especially long-term.
• Basil contains estragole, a chemical that may increase the risk of liver cancer with long-term use.
• Basil can cause low blood sugar in some people.
• Basil essential oil can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
• Consuming large amounts of basil can cause stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea.
• While likely safe in food amounts, larger medicinal amounts are possibly unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Basil is likely safe for children in food amounts but possibly unsafe in larger medicinal amounts.
• Some people may be allergic to basil, which can cause symptoms like hives, itching, and difficulty breathing.
• Basil grown in contaminated soils can accumulate heavy metals.

Interactions

• Basil oils and extracts might slow blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding and bruising when taken with medications like aspirin, clopidogrel, heparin, and warfarin.
• Basil extract might lower blood pressure. Taking it with blood pressure medications could cause blood pressure to drop too low.
• Basil may lower blood sugar levels and increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with diabetes medications.
• Basil may enhance the sedative effects of medications like benzodiazepines.
• Basil extracts may potentially cause herb-drug interactions with CYP2B6 and rifampicin metabolism.

Clinical evidence

Clinical trials and reviews indicate that basil possesses antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-platelet, and anti-thrombotic properties. Randomized controlled trials show potential benefits for anxiety, depression, and knee osteoarthritis. Meta-analyses of observational studies support the role of basil in managing blood sugar and cholesterol.

Ayurvedic karmas

• Deepana (appetizer)
• Pachana (digestive)
• Rochana (improves taste)
• Krimihara (anti-helminthic)

Classical clinical indications

• Aruchi (anorexia)
• Krimi Roga (worm infestation)
• Shwasa (asthma)
• Kasa (cough)

Frequently asked questions