Adaptogen
Holy basil
SaveAlso called tulsi, this aromatic adaptogen is used for stress, mood balance, and metabolic calm.
Quick verdict
A practical everyday adaptogen with a gentle calming profile and decent early human data.
Evidence score
48/ 100
A rough internal score reflecting quantity, quality, and consistency of human evidence. Not a clinical recommendation.
What the research shows
Small trials suggest holy basil can improve stress scores, mood, and some metabolic markers. It functions well as tea or extract.
Benefits
- May reduce stress and mental fatigue
- Offers gentle mood support without heavy sedation
- Provides antioxidant and metabolic support
Dosage notes
Common use ranges from tea to 300-1200 mg/day of extract.
Side effects
- GI upset
- Lightheadedness
- Possible low blood sugar in sensitive users
Who should be cautious
May lower blood sugar slightly and can increase bleeding tendency in sensitive users.
What this page cannot tell you
Most human studies are small, short, or use standardized extracts rather than the raw herb.
Leaderboard scores
- Stress45
- Anxiety35
- Mood25
Featured in protocols
- Stress Resilience Stackadjunct
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