Holy basil contains anti-aging compounds

A study by researchers from Thailand, Taiwan, and Austria has found that holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) contains compounds that help maintain youthful skin. This finding, which was published in the journal Industrial Crops and Products, was based on the potent anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities exhibited by extracts from the herb.

• There are different methods to maintain youthful skin, including laser, derma roller, botox, mesotherapy injections, and iontophoresis. Unfortunately, these methods could cause skin injury due to their invasive nature.
• Topical formulations are widely used for skin care since they are cheaper and easier to use. Making these products usually involves the use of natural compounds, which have desirable biological activities and safeness.
• Holy basil or the “queen of herbs” is a promising ingredient for skin care products because of its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, there is still no evidence of its anti-aging properties, which includes its effects against collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase.
• In this study, the researchers collected extracts from holy basil and tested it for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They also evaluated the anti-aging properties of the extracts based on their ability to inhibit collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase.
• The results showed that the ethanolic extracts of holy basil have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties.
• Researchers also determined the composition of the ethanolic extracts and found that their major component was rosmarinic acid.

From these results, the researchers concluded that holy basil can be used as a natural skin care product. This is because of its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties, which can be attributed to rosmarinic acid.

The full text of the study is available at this link.

If you’d like to read more news articles about the health benefits of holy basil, visit Herbs.news.

Journal Reference:

Chaiyana W, Anuchapreeda S, Punyoyai C, Neimkhum W, Lee K-H, Lin W-C, Lue S-C, Viernstein H, Mueller M. OCIMUM SANCTUM LINN. AS A NATURAL SOURCE OF SKIN ANTI-AGEING COMPOUNDS. Industrial Crops and Products. 2 November 2018;127. DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.10.081