Diversities of Omnipotent Tulsi: Pharmacological and Chemical Aspects

Ocimum is a well-known genus accepted for various ethnopharmacological benefits worldwide. The Tulsi plant is abundant globally; and falls under the Ocimum species. Earlier, numerous species relevant to the Ocimum genus have been identified and cultivated in various parts of the world. Leaves of Ocimum contain 0.1% of essential oils, which are composed of eugenol, citral, ursolic acid, carvacrol, linalool, limatrol, caryophyllene, camphor, and estragole while fatty acids and sitosterol are present in the volatile oil of seed. Eugenol is responsible for its potential effect. The ethnopharmacological aspects of Ocimum species have been reported as antimicrobial, antimalarial, anthelmintic, anti-mosquito agents, anti-diarrheal, anti-oxidant, anticataract, anti-inflammatory, chemo, and radioprotective, antiseptic drugs, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, pain killer, antiallergenic, antidepressant, memory boosting drugs, antiasthmatic, cough suppressant, diaphoretic, anti-thyroid, anti-fertility, spasmolytic, anti-arthritic, herbal pharmaceuticals, anti-anxiety, and blood thinning activities. In the previous studies, Tulsi has reported the potential effect against cellular toxicity caused by insecticides and industrial chemicals, which is the subject of attention. In this chapter, the author will explore the pharmacological and chemical paradigms of Tulsi that are present globally. 

Keywords: Essential oil, Ocimum, Pharmacological effect, Tulsi.