Tulsi is widely used in many home remedies. It is so well-known that even today, your elders might advise you to consume it for its health-promoting properties. You can derive some amazing benefits from tulsi. Ayurveda recommends this herb for its health-boosting benefits. Tulsi, however, also has certain adverse effects you may have to deal with. It could affect your fertility or affect the effectiveness of certain medications. As a result, you should understand tulsi’s potential side effects. This article examines the side effects of tulsi, its safety, and any potential drug interactions. Read on.
6 Top Holy Basil Side Effects
Let’s have a look at the unexpected side effects of Tulsi leaves:
1. Eugenol Overdose
What? Eugenol is the primary constituent of Tulsi. How? It was found that excess consumption of Tulsi can lead to eugenol overdose (1). There is a possibility to consume too much of eugenol that might even lead to poisoning (2). Eugenol is found in clove cigarettes and some food flavoring. Symptoms? Bleeding during coughs, rapid breathing and blood in urine.
2. Blood Thinning
What? Tulsi has the property to thin the blood in our bodies. And hence it should not be taken along with other anti-clotting medications (3). How? People who already are taking blood-thinning medications like warfarin and heparin should restrict the consumption of Tulsi. Tulsi can intensify the blood thinning properties of the prescribed drugs and lead to more severe complications (4). Symptoms? Bruising and/or prolonged periods of bleeding.
3. Hypoglycemia
What? Hypoglycemia is a condition of abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Though it is not a disease, it can be a sign of health problem (5). How? Tulsi is taken by people with high blood sugar to lower their blood sugar levels. But if people who have diabetes or hypoglycemia and are under medication consume Tulsi, it might lead to excessive reduction in blood sugar. This is one of the most dangerous side effects of Tulsi that one should be aware of. Symptoms? Paleness, dizziness, hunger, weakness, irritability (6).
4. Might Impact Fertility
What? Tulsi might cause infertility in males. How? Tests were conducted on male rabbits. The rabbits were divided into test and normal groups. Test group rabbits were two grams of Tulsi leaves for over a period of 30 days. A significant decrease in the sperm count of test group rabbits was noted (7).
5. Reactions In Pregnant Women
What? Excessive consumption of Tulsi by pregnant women may have long term effects both on the mother and the baby. Tulsi might also trigger reactions in pregnant women. How? One of the holy basil side effects also include increase in uterine contractions in pregnant women (8). This side effect of Tulsi can lead to complications during childbirth or menstruation. Symptoms? Backache, cramps, diarrhea and bleeding (9).
6. Drug Interactions
What? Tulsi might interfere with the way how our body processes certain drugs. How? This is done by using ‘cytochrome P450’ – the liver’s enzyme system. As a result of this, the levels of drugs in the blood might increase or decrease. Diazepam and scopolamine are two drugs which help reduce nausea, vomiting and nervousness, anxiety respectively. Tulsi might reduce the amnesic effect caused by these two drugs (10). Symptoms? Heartburn, light-headedness, headache and nausea. Any substance, however natural it is, has side effects. It might come as a cure for a certain disease. Or it might possess very good healing properties. But that doesn’t make it devoid from side effects. Can tulsi be taken daily? Yes. It is safe to have 2-3 leaves of tulsi every day. However, excess consumption may prove to be harmful. Is chewing tulsi harmful? No. Scientific evidence does not support the claim that chewing tulsi can cause harm.
