Ocimum sanctum The Queen of Herbs with Remarkable Therapeutic Potential

Abstract

Nearly 80% of the world's population uses plant-based treatments for primary healthcare, demonstrating the importance of medicinal plants in traditional healthcare systems across the globe. Ocimum sanctum L. (Tulsi), a member of the Lamiaceae family, is one of the most well-known of these because of its wide range of medicinal uses and cultural importance in the Indian subcontinent. This study focuses on Ocimum sanctum's pharmacological characteristics, traditional use, and phytochemical makeup. The medicinal benefit of tulsi is attributed to its abundance of bioactive substances, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, essential oils, and other secondary metabolites. Its many biological actions, including as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic, radioprotective, wound healing, anti-stress, and immunomodulatory properties, have been shown by numerous investigations. Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani traditions have long used various plant parts, including leaves, stems, seeds, and roots, to treat a variety of illnesses, including fever, inflammation, respiratory conditions, and metabolic problems. The review highlights that Ocimum sanctum is a powerful natural medicinal agent due to the phytochemicals' synergistic activity. Its cost-effectiveness, safety, and accessibility all contribute to its significance in contemporary herbal treatment. Tulsi can therefore be regarded as a useful resource for the creation of new medications and therapeutic formulations.