Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Holy basil, or tulsi, is a revered Ayurvedic adaptogen brewed as a daily tea, rich in eugenol and ursolic acid for stress and inflammation.
Nutrition · per ~2 g serving · ≈ a pinch
- Vitamin K30.0 mcg25% DV
- Vitamin A24.0 iu<1% DV
- Vitamin C0.36 mg<1% DV
- Manganese0.12 mg5% DV
- Iron0.80 mg4% DV
- Calcium36.0 mg3% DV
- Magnesium7.0 mg2% DV
- Potassium44.0 mg<1% DV
- Polyphenols~3.0 mg
Score · 97/100
Vitamins & minerals packed in relative to calories — the single biggest driver of the score.
How much protein it delivers, by absolute grams and per calorie.
Dietary fiber for gut health, satiety and steadier blood sugar.
Fat quality — unsaturated vs saturated, and trans-fat free.
Polyphenols, flavonoids and other beneficial plant compounds for this food group.
Low sugar with a high fiber-to-carb ratio scores best — gentler on blood sugar.
- Vitamin K1250% DV
- Manganese261% DV
- Iron222% DV
- Calcium139% DV
- Magnesium83% DV
Overview
Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), known across India as tulsi, is a sacred aromatic herb of the mint family, revered in Ayurveda and grown in courtyards and temples throughout the subcontinent. Distinct from sweet culinary basil, it carries a warm, clove-like, peppery flavor and is most often brewed as a daily adaptogenic tea, alone or blended with ginger and green tea. Tulsi's reputation as a stress-balancing adaptogen rests on its bioactives: eugenol, an aromatic phenol with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action; ursolic acid, a triterpenoid linked to metabolic and anti-inflammatory benefits; and rosmarinic acid, a calming polyphenol. Clinical and traditional evidence supports its use for moderating the body's stress response and supporting mood and metabolic markers. The dried leaf concentrates vitamin K, calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium, though as a tea it is consumed in small amounts. Its enduring value is as a well-tolerated daily infusion that combines aromatic warmth with adaptogenic and antioxidant bioactives rather than as a significant source of macronutrients.
Health Benefits (3)
- Helps the body adapt to stressmoderateAdaptogenic compounds including ocimumosides and eugenol modulate cortisol and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, moderating the stress response in clinical trials
- Reduces inflammation and oxidative stressmoderateEugenol and rosmarinic acid inhibit inflammatory signaling and scavenge free radicals
- Supports healthy metabolic markerslimitedUrsolic acid and tulsi extracts have shown favorable effects on blood glucose and lipids in human studies
Food Pairings
- ·Pair with ginger in a tea blend because its warmth complements tulsi's clove-pepper note and aids digestion
- ·Combine with green tea because the two contribute layered antioxidant polyphenols
- ·Use with honey and lemon because they round the herb's peppery edge in an infusion
Practical Tips
- ·Cover the cup while steeping for five to ten minutes to retain the eugenol-rich oils
- ·Take it as a consistent daily tea, since adaptogenic benefits build with regular use
- ·Store dried leaf airtight away from light to preserve the aromatic oils
Optimal Timing
Tulsi is often taken as a morning or midday tea to help the body meet the day's stress.
Brewed as tea it adds negligible calories and is fasting-compatible.
Systems supported
body systems this food feedsPathways supported
biochemical reactions enabled by this foodCompared to other herbs & spices
Per 100 g of the default form. Bars show how much higher or lower holy basil (tulsi) is than the average across 76 peer foods in this category. Green means a favorable direction; amber means the opposite.
What people ask about holy basil (tulsi)
What is holy basil (tulsi)?
Holy Basil (Tulsi) is classified as a herbs & spices. Holy basil, or tulsi, is a revered Ayurvedic adaptogen brewed as a daily tea, rich in eugenol and ursolic acid for stress and inflammation.
Is holy basil (tulsi) healthy?
Holy Basil (Tulsi) scores 97/100 in Formulate, making it an exceptional choice. Its strongest contributions come from Vitamin K, Manganese, Iron. The score blends nutrient density, fiber, healthy fats, protein quality, bioactive compounds, and glycemic impact.
Is holy basil (tulsi) high in protein?
Not particularly. A 2 g serving provides about 0.3 g of protein (~1% of the 50 g daily value).
Is holy basil (tulsi) high in fiber?
Not really. A 2 g serving provides about 0.6 g of fiber (~2% of the 28 g daily value).
What vitamins and minerals are in holy basil (tulsi)?
In a 2 g serving, holy basil (tulsi) is highest in Vitamin K (~25% DV).
Is holy basil (tulsi) keto-friendly?
Yes — it fits comfortably in most keto plans. A 2 g serving has about 0.4 g of net carbs (1 g total minus 0.6 g fiber).
When is the best time to eat holy basil (tulsi)?
Best in the morning. Tulsi is often taken as a morning or midday tea to help the body meet the day's stress.
How much holy basil (tulsi) should I eat?
A typical serving is around 2 g (~6 kcal), based on the FDA's Reference Amount Customarily Consumed for this food category. There's no fixed daily target — most adults benefit from rotating holy basil (tulsi) alongside several other herbs & spices sources.
What pairs well with holy basil (tulsi)?
Holy Basil (Tulsi) pairs nicely with: Pair with ginger in a tea blend because its warmth complements tulsi's clove-pepper note and aids digestion; Combine with green tea because the two contribute layered antioxidant polyphenols; Use with honey and lemon because they round the herb's peppery edge in an infusion.
Supplements that mirror Holy Basil (Tulsi)'s nutrient profile
Encyclopedia entries that supply the same signature nutrients holy basil (tulsi) contributes. Click through to see clinical dose ranges, evidence quality, and bioavailable forms.
Signature nutrients in Holy Basil (Tulsi)
These are the nutrients holy basil (tulsi)contributes meaningfully toward (≥10% DV per 100 g serving). Click one to see what it does in the body, which supplements concentrate it, and which other foods are top sources.