Abstract
Ocimum sanctum, A medicinal herb, belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It is erect, branched and fragrant, having height of about 30-60 cm. Different part of the plant are used to cure so many diseases, such as headache, leucoderma, asthma, bronchitis, fever, vomiting, hiccups, ophthalmic, genitourinary disorders, ring worms and skin diseases, coughs, diarrhea, constipation, wart, worm, influenza, common cold, colic pain, hepatic diseases, arthritis, digestive disorders and kidney dysfunctions. It has variety of pharmacological activities such as Anti microbial activity, Antidiabetic activity, Antistress activity, Antifirtility activity, Hepatoprotective activity, Immunomodulatory activity, Psychopharmacological activity, Antioxidant activity, Antipyretic activity, Anticarcinogenic activity, Antiasthmatic activity Antiulcerogenic activity, Radioprotective activity, Anticataract activity, Wound healing activity , Antiinflammatory activity, Antiarthritic activity, Anticoagulant activity , Chemopreventive activity, Antianalgesic activity, Mosquitocidal activity and Antilipidemic activity. The present review article includes the description of plant, distribution, botanical characteristics, chemicals, traditional uses and pharmacological activity.