Tulsi Or Holy Basil? Here’s The Botanical Name You Should Know

Tulsi, widely known as Holy Basil, is a treasured plant in Indian homes, worshipped in temples, brewed in teas, and trusted in home remedies. But beyond its cultural and medicinal fame lies a more formal identity: its scientific name.

Whether you’re a student, researcher, or just a curious plant lover, knowing Tulsi’s botanical classification helps you understand how it fits into the global family of medicinal herbs. Let’s explore its scientific name, classification, and origins in simple terms.

Scientific Name of Tulsi (Holy Basil)

The officially recognised scientific name of Tulsi is Ocimum tenuiflorum , although Ocimum sanctum is also commonly used in scientific literature. These names follow the binomial nomenclature system introduced by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, which gives every species a universal two-part Latin name.

• Ocimum → Genus (the group it belongs to, which also includes common basil)
• tenuiflorum → Species (describing its unique characteristics, meaning “slender-flowered”)

This naming helps researchers across the world identify Tulsi correctly, even when it’s known locally as Tulasi, Holy Basil, Vrinda, or Manjari.

What Family Does Tulsi Belong To?

Tulsi is part of the Lamiaceae family, commonly known as the Mint family. This plant family is famous for its aromatic herbs, including mint, rosemary, oregano, and lavender. Like its relatives, Tulsi also has square stems and essential oils, which make it both fragrant and medicinal.

Botanical Classification of Tulsi

Rank	Scientific Classification	Notes
Kingdom	Plantae	All green plants
Order	Lamiales	Contains mints and similar flowering herbs
Family	Lamiaceae	Known for aromatic and medicinal plants
Genus	Ocimum	Includes basil varieties
Species	Ocimum tenuiflorum	The official scientific name of Tulsi

Where Does Tulsi Come From?

Tulsi is native to India and Southeast Asia, where it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 3,000 years. Today, it grows across Asia, Africa, and tropical regions worldwide, both in home gardens and commercial farms.

India remains the largest cultivator and consumer of Tulsi, especially for herbal teas, essential oils, and immunity-boosting supplements.

Why Knowing Tulsi’s Scientific Name Matters

Understanding its scientific identity helps:

• Avoid confusion between different basil varieties
• Support accurate herbal research and global trade
• Maintain standardisation for medicine and health products

So next time someone asks what Tulsi is called scientifically, you’ll have the perfect answer- Ocimum tenuiflorum, the globally recognised name for India’s Queen of Herbs.