INTRODUCTION

1. INTRODUCTION TO HERBALISM

Medicinal plants are an indispensable part of the traditional medicine practiced all over
the world. There is a growing demand for plant based medicines, health products,
pharmaceuticals, food supplements, cosmetics etc 1. the advantages are low costs, easy access and
long safety experience. There exists a plethora of knowledge and information and benefits of
herbal drugs in our ancient literature of Ayurveda and Unani medicine. One of the earliest
treatises of Indian medicine, the charakasamhita (1000 BC) mentions the use of over 2000 herbs
for medicinal purposes2.

The term “medicinal plants” denotes plants having substances of medicinal value, which
have been biologically proved useful as drug or contain drug constituents, that can be used as
therapeutic agents or as starting material for the synthesis of therapeutic agents, or as models for
new synthetic drugs and as instruments in drug development and diagnostic purposes . The main
difficulty in analyzing herbal drugs is due to limited statistical data available on production and
trade. The production and trade level relating to the individual herb vary widely. Moreover, the
pattern of usage of individual herbs differs in different countries.

According to WHO, 74% of 119 modern plant derived pharmaceutical medicines are
used in ways that correlated directly with their traditional uses. Major pharmaceutical companies
are currently conducting extensive research on plant materials gathered from the rain forests and
other places for possible new pharmaceuticals.

In India around 25,000 effective plant based formulations are used in traditional and folk
medicine. More than 1.5 million practitioners are using the traditional medicinal system for
healthcare in India. It is estimated that more than 7,800 manufacturing units are involved in the
production of natural health products and traditional plant based formulations in India, which
requires more than 2000 tones of plant raw material annually 3. The use of herbs is very common
in developing countries, particularly in rural settings. However, during the last decade, an
increase in the use of plants has been observed in metropolitan areas of developed countries.

The panorama of drug development does lie in the finding for new traditional drugs in the
rain forest, the screening of the extract s for various physiological activities & the segregation of
active chemical constituents or properties which can be transformed into useful drugs 4.

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The WHO has recently defined traditional medicine (herbal drugs) as comprising
therapeutic practices that have been in existence for hundreds of years, before the development
and spread of modern medicine and are still in use today. The traditional preparations comprises
of medicinal plants, minerals, organic matter etc.

GRAPH 1; USE OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN

SOME DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Herbal medicine is defined as a branch of science in which plant-based formulations are

used to assuage diseases. It is also acknowledged as botanical medicines or phyto medicine. Of
late, the term ‘phyto therapy’ has been introduced as a more accurate synonym for herbal or
botanical medicine. The term ‘phyto pharmacotherapy’ has been devised newly to offer the use
of herbal medicines in the treatment of diseases 5. The inclusion of herbal-based products as
dietary supplements is yet another recent development. Herbal medicine is fast evolving into a
multidisciplinary science-incorporating aspect of ethnopharmacology, toxicology and
biochemistry, in addition to botany, pharmacognosy and phytochemistry.

Definition of the term ‘Herb’

 Botanical definition: “A herb is a seed-producing, non-woody plant that dies to the
ground at the end of the growing season”.
 Culinary definition: “Herbs are products of vegetables that are used to add flavour or
aroma to food”.

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 Medicinal definition: “Herbs are crude drugs of vegetable origin that are used in the
treatment of diseases, often of a chronic nature, or to attain or maintain a condition of
improved health”.

Advantages of herbal drugs

They are non-toxic; they have almost no testified side effects. They are easily available
and less expensive. About 90 %of the medicinal plants used are collected from the wild; of the
800 species used by industries, not more than 20 are under commercial cultivation. This process
of collecting plant from the wild is a destructive act as it threatens the bio diversity of medicinal
plant resources6.
This in turn can prove harmful to the economy of the country. The word ‘herbal’ has
become undistinguishable with the proposition of unimportant adverse effects and is accountable
for the spout in approval of herbal medicines. The claim for plant medication by the cosmetic
and health care industries has grown rapidly in the past few years.
Usefulness of Plants in Therapy

“Nature has produced wonderfully complex molecules that no synthetic chemist could
ever dream up,” Cragg said. These molecules evolved over millions of years as chemical
defenses by plants, animals, and microorganisms, enabling them to survive attack by fungi,
viruses, and other threats. It is generally believed that around 25 % of the active compounds used
in modern medicines were derived from plants. At the same time, hardly 5000 of the over 2,
50,000 flowering plants have been looked at scientifically for their medicinal properties. There
are many different systems of traditional medicine. The philosophy and practices of each system
is influenced by the prevailing conditions, environment, and geographic area within which it is
first evolved however, a common philosophy is a holistic approach to life, equilibrium of the
mind, body, and the environment, and an emphasis on health rather than on disease.

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Table No. 1: USE OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE FOR PRIMARY HEALTHCARE IN

SOME DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Plant Therapeutic action

Coleus forskoli Granuloma and as an inotropic agent

Gingko biloba Cerebral ischemia as sedative

Opium poppy and Coca leaf Psychoactive effect

Rauwolfia serpentine Anti hypertension

Table No. 2: STATISTICAL DATA OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE FOR IN SOME

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Country Plant species Medicinal plant % of medicinal

species herbs used across
the world

Bulgaria 3,567 750 21.0

China 32,200 4,941 15.3

France 4,630 900 19.4

Hungary 2,214 270 12.2

India 18,664 3,000 16.1

Jordan 2,100 363 17.3

Korea 2,898 1000 34.5

Malaysia 15,500 1,200 7.7

Nepal 6,973 900 12.9

Pakistan 4,950 1,500 30.3

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Philippines’ 8,931 850 9.5

Srilanka 3,314 550 16.6

Thailand 11,625 1,800 15.5

USA 21,641 2,564 11.8

Vietnams 10,500 1,800 17.1

Average

World 422,000 72,000

Introduction to Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil or Tulsi)

Ocimum tenuiflorum, commonly known as Holy Basil or Tulsi, is a revered aromatic
plant in the family Lamiaceae (mint family). Native to the Indian subcontinent and widely
cultivated throughout Southeast Asia, Tulsi holds a special place in traditional medicine,
particularly in Ayurveda, as well as in spiritual and religious practices.
TAXONOMY8,25

 Kingdom: Plantae
 Clade: Tracheophytes
 Clade: Angiosperms
 Clade: Eudicots
 Clade: Asterids
 Order: Lamiales
 Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)
 Genus: Ocimum
 Species: Ocimum tenuiflorum

VARIOUS SPECIES OF 17 Ocimum tenuiflorum

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Actually, Ocimum tenuiflorum itself is a species within the genus Ocimum. However, within
Ocimum tenuiflorum, there are different types or varieties — mainly based on leaf color,
aroma, and habitat adaptation — but not different species.

Here are the main varieties of Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi):

1. Rama Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum var. Rama)

o Green leaves

o Mild, sweet taste

o Commonly grown in many Indian households

2. Krishna Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum var. Krishna)

o Dark purple or purplish-green leaves

o Stronger, spicier aroma and flavor

o Considered more medicinally potent in Ayurveda

3. Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum, sometimes confused with Tulsi but technically
another species)

o Wild forest variety

o Larger, light green leaves

o Strong clove-like aroma

Uses of Ocimum tenuiflorum

 Immune Booster: Enhances the body's defense against infections.

 Respiratory Health: Treats coughs, colds, asthma, and bronchitis.
 Stress Reduction: Acts as an adaptogen, helping the body cope with stress.
 Digestive Aid: Supports digestion, relieves bloating, and eases stomach discomfort.
 Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant: Protects against oxidative stress and
inflammation.
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 Diabetes Management: Helps regulate blood sugar levels.

 Heart Health: Reduces cholesterol and improves circulation.
 Antimicrobial Properties: Fights bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
2. Religious and Spiritual Uses
 Sacred Plant in Hinduism: Worshipped daily in many Indian homes and temples.
 Purification Rituals: Used in rituals for spiritual purification and protection.
 Holy Offerings: Leaves are offered to deities, especially Vishnu and Krishna.
3. Culinary Uses
 Herbal Teas: Leaves brewed into tea for their refreshing taste and health benefits.
 Flavoring: Used to enhance the flavor of soups, sauces, and traditional dishes.
 Infused Oils: Tulsi-infused oils are used for culinary and therapeutic purposes.
4. Cosmetic and Personal Care
 Skin Care: Extracts used in face masks, creams, and acne treatments.
 Hair Care: Used in shampoos and oils to strengthen hair and prevent dandruff.
5. Environmental Uses
 Natural Air Purifier: Grown indoors to improve air quality.
 Pest Repellent: Its strong scent deters insects and mosquitoes.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF OCIMUM TENUIFLORUM SPECIES:
Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil/Tulsi) contains a wide range of bioactive chemical
constituents that contribute to its medicinal properties. These include essential oils, flavonoids,
terpenoids, and phenolic compounds.

🌿 Major Chemical Constituents of Ocimum tenuiflorum Species:

1. Essential Oils
These are the primary active components found in Tulsi leaves:
 Eugenol – Anti-inflammatory, analgesic
 Methyl eugenol – Antibacterial, insect repellent
 Carvacrol – Antimicrobial
 Linalool – Calming, antifungal
 Camphor – Stimulating, antimicrobial
 Caryophyllene – Anti-inflammatory

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2. Phenolic Compounds
 Rosmarinic acid – Powerful antioxidant
 Apigenin – Antioxidant, anti-cancer
 Chlorogenic acid – Anti-diabetic, neuroprotective
 Caffeic acid – Anti-inflammatory
3. Flavonoids
 Orientin – Antioxidant, radioprotective
 Vicenin-2 – Protects cells from radiation and oxidative damage
4. Triterpenoids and Steroids
 Ursolic acid – Anti-inflammatory, anticancer
 Oleanolic acid – Hepatoprotective
 β-sitosterol – Cholesterol-lowering
5. Others
 Tannins – Antiseptic and astringent properties
 Saponins – Immune-boosting and detoxifying
 Alkaloids – Various pharmacological effects

Fig.No.1 Ocimum tenuiflorum

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