A COMPARATIVE PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF THE LEAVES OF TULSI (OCIMUM BASALICUM) AND (OCIMUM SANCTUM)

Sonal Singh    Kushwaha; Priya    Gupta; Suman    Panwar

doi:10.48165/IRJAY.2024.70402

Authors

Sonal Singh Kushwaha 1PG Scholar, Department of Dravyaguna Vigyana, Shri Dhanwantry Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India. Author
Priya Gupta 1PG Scholar, Department of Dravyaguna Vigyana, Shri Dhanwantry Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India. Author
Suman Panwar Professor and HOD, Department of Dravyaguna Vigyana, Shri Dhanwantry Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/IRJAY.2024.70402

Keywords:

Ayurveda, Pharmacognosy, Transverse section, Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum basilicum

Abstract

The pharmacognostic evaluation of Ocimum basilicum (Sweet Basil) and Ocimum sanctum (Holy Basil) involved detailed macroscopic and microscopic analyses of their leaves. Ocimum basilicum leaves typically measure 4-8 cm in length, displaying an elliptic ovate shape, whereas Ocimum sanctum leaves are relatively smaller, measuring about 2-2.5 cm in length and exhibiting an ovate shape. Microscopic examination further distinguished between the two species: O. sanctum displayed a square-shaped epidermis characterized by parenchymatous cells and sclerenchyma patches, whereas O. basilicum showcased a dorsiventral mesophyll structure with stomata and glandular trichomes. These distinctive features contribute significantly to the standardization, authentication, and quality control processes essential for ensuring the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine formulations containing Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum sanctum.