IJFANS International Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences

ISSN PRINT 2319-1775 Online 2320-7876

OVERVIEW OF MEDICINAL AND ANTIMIROBIAL PROPERTIES OF TULSI(Ocimum)

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Anamika anand, Aman Pratap Singh

Abstract

Because of its many medicinal uses, tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), sometimes known as the "Queen of Herbs," is important in ancient medical systems like Ayurveda and Siddha. Beyond its spiritual and cultural importance, Tulsi's strong antibacterial properties are being confirmed by more and more recent scientific studies. Tulsi, which is abundant in bioactive substances including linalool, ursolic acid, and eugenol, has a wide range of antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Tulsi is a viable option in the battle against antibiotic resistance because of these phytochemicals' multifaceted actions, which include rupturing microbial cell membranes, blocking important enzymes, and preventing bacterial growth. With an emphasis on periodontal bacteria such as Aggregatibacteractinomycetemcomitans, the review investigates the effectiveness of Tulsi extracts against a variety of pathogens. Tulsi may be used as an adjuvant or alternative medicine in clinical practice, as comparative studies show that it sometimes works just as well as some traditional antibiotics. Additionally, it can be used as a natural preservative in the food sector to prolong the shelf life of perishable foods. Despite encouraging results, there are still issues with clinical validation, formulation, and standardization. This study emphasizes the necessity of conducting a more thorough scientific analysis in order to fully utilize Tulsi in contemporary medicine. Tulsi stands out as a sustainable, natural, and easily accessible option that merits more research in light of the increased interest in plant-based therapies.

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