Holy basil/Sulasi

Ocimum sanctum (Holy Basil) and its extract possess lipoxygenase inhibitory, antihistaminergic, immunomodulatory, chemoprotective, radioprotective, and antisecretory activities. Some of its phytochemical constituents include eugenol, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, apigenin, myretenal, luteolin, β–sitosterol, and carnosic acid that were identified to help prevent chemical-induced skin, liver, oral, and lung cancers wherein such activities were mediated by increasing antioxidant activity, alteration of gene expressions, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. Holy basil has several traditional uses but it is particularly well-known as an adaptogen and is used for stress relief.