A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON THAI BASIL

Thai basil(Ocimum basilicum L.) is an aromatic medicinal and culinary herb belonging to the family Lamiaceae and is widely valued for its distinctive aroma, flavor, and diverse pharmacological properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of Thai basil, focusing on its botanical characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemical composition, nutritional importance and therapeutic potential. The plant contain several bioactive constituents, including essential oils, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids, and other secondary metabolites, which contribute to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-cancer, activities. Particular attention is given to major constituents such as eugenol, linalool, methyl chavicol (estragole), and rosmarinic acid, which are associated with many types of its biological effects. The review also discusses extraction methods, factor affecting phytochemical composition, and reported pharmacological activities of different plant part. In addition, the potential applications of Thai basil in pharmaceutics, neutraceutical food and cosmetics formulations are highlighted. Available scientific evidence indicates the Thai basil represent a promising sources of natural bioactive compounds, however, further standardized studies, toxicity, evaluation, clinical investigations, and quality control approaches knowledge of Thai basil and identities opportunities for future research and development of safe effective herbal product.