Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum, also known as Tulsi) has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, where it is valued as an adaptogen—an herb said to help the body cope with stress. The traditional belief is that holy basil can support the body's stress response, which involves the "fight-or-flight" system and hormones such as epinephrine (adrenaline). Ayurvedic texts describe holy basil as calming to the nerves, supporting mental balance, and mitigating the effects of stress, which indirectly involves the adrenal glands and catecholamine pathways like epinephrine.

Modern scientific research has investigated holy basil for its potential anti-stress and adaptogenic properties. Animal studies have shown that holy basil extracts may reduce stress markers and normalize certain biochemical parameters affected by stress, including corticosterone (the rodent equivalent of cortisol). However, direct evidence that holy basil specifically modulates epinephrine levels or directly supports the "epinephrine body system" in humans is sparse. Most scientific studies focus on overall stress reduction, antioxidant effects, and metabolic health, rather than specific effects on epinephrine.

In summary, the use of holy basil to support the epinephrine system is justified primarily by traditional usage and the broader adaptogenic concept, with limited but suggestive scientific evidence for general stress support. There is not enough robust clinical data to award a higher evidence rating or to confirm direct effects on epinephrine in humans.

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