Charak Samhita

Surasa

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Ocimum sanctum L.

Surasa
Section/Chapter Herb database/Surasa
Botanical name(s) Ocimum sanctum L.(syn. Ocimum tenuiflorum L.)
Family Lamiaceae
Availability Available
Contributors Team Dravyaguna
Year of publication 2026
Publisher Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre
DOI Awaited

Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum L.) is one of the most commonly used and widely available herbs with significant therapeutic efficacy.

Botanical Profile & Phytochemistry

Taxonomic Classification

  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Species: Ocimum sanctum L.(syn. Ocimum tenuiflorum L.)
  •  
    Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum)
    Common Names: Tulsi, Holy Basil, Surasa

Therapeutic uses

Aruchi, Shwasa(dyspnea), kasa (cough), krumiroga (worm), kushtha(skin disease), pratishyaya(rhinitis), parshwashoola (flank pain)[1]

Synonyms in Charak Samhita

Surasa, Tulsi, Kutherak, Phaninjhak, Arjaka(Tulsi bheda)

Synonyms in bhavprakasa nighantu

Gramya(Common plant grown in all villages), Sulabha(can be seen every where), bahumanjari(tulasi has got many spikes), Apetaraxasi(tulasi brings back normalcy by alleviating many disease), gauri , bhutagni, devadundubhi(the spikes of tulasi resemble a trumpet)[2]

Varieties

Bhavaprakasa nighantu

Mentioned 2 types[3]

  1. Shweta tulasi
  2. Krishna tulasi

Ayurvedic pharmacological properties

Properties
Sr.no. Pharmacological criteria Properties
1 Taste (rasa) Pungent (katu), Bitter (tikta)
2 Potency (veerya) Hot (ushna)
3 Post digestion effect (vipaka) Pungent (katu)
4 Qualities (guna) Light (laghu), Rough (ruksha)
5 Actions (karma) Pacify Kapha and Vata
6 Extra ordinary effect (prabhava) Destroys microbes/germs (krimighna)

Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions

Herbs and their activities
Sr.no. Reference in Charak Samhita Activity
1 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 2/4 Sirovirechana (Errhine therapy)
2 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(37) Shwasahara mahakashaya
3 Cha.Sa.Nidana Sthana 2/4 Nidana of Raktapitta
4 Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 6/17 Abhyantar Krimi Chikitsa
5 Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 6/21 Abhyantar Krimi Chikitsa
6 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila
7 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/70 Ingredient of Hingusauvarchaladya ghrita
8 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/112 Ingredient in Kanakakshiri Taila
9 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/101 Ingredient in Avaleha

Dose

  • 2-3 gm of the drug in powder form[4]

Important formulation

As per A.P.I.[5]

  • Manasamitra vataka
  • Tribhuvana kirti rasa
  • Mukta Panchamruta rasa
  • Mahajwarankusa rasa

Current availability

Available India- All over india

Current researches

Primary Phytoconstituents

  • Phenylpropanoids: Eugenol (up to 70–80% in volatile oil), methyleugenol, rosmarinic acid.
  • Triterpenes: Ursolic acid, oleanolic acid.
  • Flavonoids: Apigenin, luteolin, orientin, vicenin.
  • Sesquiterpenes: β-caryophyllene.

Pharmacological Mechanism & Therapeutic Efficacy

Adaptogenic and Antistress Activity

  • Mechanisms: Regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, suppresses acute elevation of plasma cortisol, and modulates central neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin).
  • Evidence: Clinical trials using standardized extracts demonstrate reductions in self-reported stress, cognitive fatigue, and stress-induced sleep disturbances.[6]

Immunomodulatory and Anti-inflammatory Effects

  • Mechanisms: Downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Ursolic acid and eugenol selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity.
  • Evidence: Human clinical studies show significant increases in natural killer (NK) cells and T-helper (CD4+) lymphocytes following leaf extract administration.[6]

Antidiabetic and Metabolic Regulation

  • Mechanisms: Enhances insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells, increases peripheral glucose uptake, and inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis.
  • Evidence: Clinical studies show a statistically significant reduction in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.[6]

Antimicrobial and Biofilm Inhibition

  • Mechanisms: Disrupts bacterial plasma membrane integrity and inhibits quorum sensing due to high eugenol content.
  • Evidence: Broad-spectrum antibacterial action demonstrated against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.[6]

Key Bioactive Compounds

Primary Bioactive Compounds of Ocimum sanctum
Chemical Class Major Compound Biological Activity Primary Mechanism
Phenolic/Monoterpene Eugenol Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic COX-2 inhibition, free-radical scavenging
Pentacyclic Triterpene Ursolic Acid Anti-inflammatory, Antitumor Downregulation of NF-κB, induction of apoptosis
Flavonoid Glycoside Orientin / Vicenin Radioprotective, Antioxidant Lipid peroxidation suppression, DNA repair acceleration
Polyphenol Rosmarinic Acid Immunomodulatory, Antiviral Complement activation inhibition, ROS neutralization

Clinical Evidence Summary

Summary of Clinical Outcomes
Target Condition Study Type Dosage & Duration Key Clinical Outcome Reference
Generalized Anxiety / Stress Double-Blind RCT 300–1200 mg/day extract (6–8 weeks) Decreased stress scores, improved attention and sleep Cohen (2014)[6]
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Crossover Clinical Trial 2.5 g leaf powder daily (4 weeks) Significant reduction in FBG (17.6%) and PPBG (7.3%) Cohen (2014)[6]
Immune Response Modulation Open-label Phase I Trial 300 mg ethanolic extract daily (4 weeks) Significant elevation in IFN-γ, IL-4, CD4+ count Cohen (2014)[6]
Metabolic Syndrome / Lipids Double-Blind RCT 1000 mg/day extract (8 weeks) Reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides Cohen (2014)[6]

Toxicology and Safety

  • Acute Toxicity: Preclinical studies indicate an LD50 > 4000 mg/kg body weight for aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts, establishing a wide therapeutic index.[6]
  • Adverse Effects: Highly tolerated in clinical trials. Mild transient gastrointestinal distress reported rarely.
  • Drug Interactions: May exert additive effects when co-administered with hypoglycemic agents or anticoagulants (due to mild antiplatelet activity). Use caution in patients on antiplatelet therapy.

References

  1. ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 2 :73
  2. ↑ Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Reprint Edition 2020, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, pushpa varga, verse no.-62
  3. ↑ Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Reprint Edition 2020, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, pushpa varga, verse no.-63
  4. ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 2 :73
  5. ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 2 :73
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Cohen, Marc Maurice (2014). "Tulsi - Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons". Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. 5 (4): 251–259. PMC 4296439  . PMID 25624696. doi:10.4103/0975-9476.146554. 

External links

IMPPAT database

Herbs details

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