A Quantitative Literature Analysis of the Research on Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy Basil (Tulsi) has been well recognized for traditional medicine purposes, and its essential oil is commonly used in Ayurveda. However, to date, there has been no bibliometric analysis published specifically for this aromatic perennial plant. Thus, the current analysis aimed to present a comprehensive bibliometric epitome of the literature available on Tulsi. Data for the present analysis were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database, employing the search terms related to “Tulsi”, and analyzed by the VOSviewer software. The search yielded 1,465 manuscripts. The ratio of original articles to reviews was 14.3:1. A peak in the number of publications was seen since 2007. Most substantial contributing countries were India, United States, Thailand, Pakistan, and South Korea. These articles were published under scientific disciplines: Pharmacology Pharmacy, Plant Sciences, Chemistry, Agriculture and Food Science Technology. Tulsi’s effects were studied against oxidative stress and diabetes by in-vitro studies. Tulsi was extensively studied for antioxidant, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Recent work included synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles from Tulsi through green synthesis. This study will assist researchers to comprehend the current status of the research on Tulsi and to visualize the future impact of such a useful medicinal plant.

Keywords: Bibliometric analysis, Holy Basil, Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tulasi, Tulsi.