What is it used for?
Traditionally used in Ayurveda (as an expectorant and/or demulcent) to help relieve cough (, such as Kasa,) and colds [Source note 2].
Traditionally used in Ayurveda (as an expectorant) to help relieve respiratory mucus buildup/catarrh [Source note 3].
Traditionally used in Ayurveda as (Hrdya,) a cardiotonic [Source note 4].
Traditionally used in Ayurveda (as Dipan,) to aid digestion and (as a stomachic to) stimulate appetite [Source note 5].
Used in Herbal Medicine as an adaptogen to help increase energy and resistance to stress over time (e.g. in case of mental and physical fatigue related to stress) [Source note 6].
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants [Source note 7].
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants that help fight/protect (cell) against/reduce (the oxidative effect of/the oxidative damage caused by/cell damage caused by) free radicals [Source note 8].
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine [e.g., Traditionally used in Ayurveda to help relieve cough, such as Kasa, and colds and as Hrdya, a cardiotonic].
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Holy basil is traditionally used in Ayurveda to help relieve cough, such as Kasa, and colds).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
Antioxidant
Not to exceed 3 grams of dried leaf, per day [Source note 9].
Ayurveda; Adaptogen
2 - 3 grams of dried leaf, per day [Source note 10].
Methods of preparation: Non-Standardized Aqueous Extracts (Dry extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
Antioxidant
Not to exceed 28 grams of dried leaf, per day [Source note 11].
Ayurveda
7 - 28 grams of dried leaf, per day [Source note 12].
Adaptogen
4.2 - 28 grams of dried leaf, per day [Source note 13].
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Warnings and precautions
All products
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are breastfeeding [Source note 14].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have a heart condition or diabetes [Source note 15].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking any heart or blood pressure medication [Source note 16].
Relief of cough/cold/respiratory mucus buildup; Digestive aid; Adaptogen
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
When should it be avoided?
Do not use if you are pregnant [Source note 17].
Possible side effects
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocimum tenuiflorum |
| Ocimum tenuiflorum | Leaf | Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Common names: USDA 2024, Gardner and McGuffin 2013, API 1999; Source information: API 1999, Agrawal et al. 1996.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- February 27, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.