Holy Basil
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 680 participants, researched for Stress & Anxiety, Cognitive Function, Adaptogenic Support.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Stress & Anxiety
StrongCognitive Function
StrongAdaptogenic Support
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Stress & Anxiety
To investigate the effects of Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) extract on stress, mood, and sleep
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) extract on stress, mood, and sleep
Dose
320 mg/day HolixerTM extract
Participants
150 adults experiencing psychological stress
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Holy basil significantly improved PSS scores (p=0.003) and sleep (AIS, p=0.025); hair cortisol lower vs placebo.
How They Measured It
PSS (Perceived Stress Scale), AIS (Athens Insomnia Scale), hair cortisol
To evaluate holy basil on anxiety and stress in general anxiety disorder
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate holy basil on anxiety and stress in general anxiety disorder
Dose
500 mg twice daily
Participants
60 adults with anxiety
Duration
60 days
Results
Significant reduction in anxiety scores (39%) and cortisol levels vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, salivary cortisol
To evaluate holy basil effect on psychological stress and sexual problems in adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate holy basil effect on psychological stress and sexual problems in adults
Dose
300 mg/day leaf extract
Participants
150 adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in psychological and occupational stress symptoms vs placebo.
How They Measured It
General Health Questionnaire, sexual function scale
To assess holy basil on immune markers and stress in healthy adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess holy basil on immune markers and stress in healthy adults
Dose
300-600 mg/day
Participants
24 healthy adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant improvements in NK cell count, IgG, and IgM; cortisol reduced vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Natural killer cells, IgG, IgM, cortisol
Cognitive Function
To assess holy basil leaf extract on specific cognitive parameters in healthy volunteers
Study Type
Randomised, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess holy basil leaf extract on specific cognitive parameters in healthy volunteers
Dose
300 mg/day ethanolic extract
Participants
71 healthy adults
Duration
30 days
Results
Significant improvements in cognitive flexibility, attention, and processing speed vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Stroop test, Trail Making test, choice reaction time
To investigate holy basil on age-related cognitive decline in elderly
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate holy basil on age-related cognitive decline in elderly
Dose
400 mg/day
Participants
56 elderly adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in working memory and attention vs placebo in elderly participants.
How They Measured It
MMSE, cognitive battery, working memory
Adaptogenic Support
To evaluate the adaptogenic properties of holy basil extract on physical endurance
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the adaptogenic properties of holy basil extract on physical endurance
Dose
300 mg/day holy basil extract
Participants
30 healthy adults
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Holy basil significantly improved endurance capacity and reduced lactate buildup vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Treadmill performance, VO2max, lactate levels
To assess holy basil effect on blood glucose and lipid profile in metabolic syndrome patients
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess holy basil effect on blood glucose and lipid profile in metabolic syndrome patients
Dose
2.5 g/day holy basil leaves
Participants
40 type 2 diabetic patients
Duration
2 months
Results
Significant reductions in fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, and LDL cholesterol vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile
To evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of holy basil extract in adults with joint pain
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of holy basil extract in adults with joint pain
Dose
400 mg/day standardised extract
Participants
50 adults with joint pain
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reductions in CRP, TNF-a, and joint pain scores vs placebo.
How They Measured It
CRP, TNF-a, joint pain VAS
To assess holy basil on sleep quality and mood in stressed adults
Study Type
Randomised, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess holy basil on sleep quality and mood in stressed adults
Dose
125 mg twice daily
Participants
79 healthy stressed adults
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Holy basil significantly improved sleep quality and mood vs placebo; less daytime dysfunction.
How They Measured It
PSQI, POMS mood profile
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Holy Basil research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), involving 680 total participants. Research covers Stress & anxiety, Cognitive function, Adaptogenic support. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (10 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Holy Basil has been researched for: Stress & anxiety, Cognitive function, Adaptogenic support. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 10 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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