DNA authentication of Tulsi; the cultural and medicinal value of Ocimum species among diasporic South Asian communities in the UK

S Bhamra; M Heinrich; C Howard; M Johnson; A Slater

doi:10.1055/s-0034-1394890

Planta Medica, Inhaltsverzeichnis

DNA authentication of Tulsi; the cultural and medicinal value of Ocimum species among diasporic South Asian communities in the UK

S Bhamra ¹, M Heinrich ², C Howard ³, M Johnson ¹, A Slater ¹

¹De Montfort University, Hawthorn Building, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK
²UCL London School of Pharmacy, Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
³NIBSC-MHRA, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG, UK

Abstract

Tulsi is a plant native to tropical Asia with high cultural, medicinal and commercial value. There are three types of Tulsi recognised; Raam and Shyam (Krishna) – Ocimum tenuiflorum L.; and Vana – Ocimum gratissimum L. [1]. Species can be easily misidentified, leading to adulteration [2]. DNA barcoding can be used to identify the different types of Tulsi, and distinguish between them. This research aims to explore the cultural and commercial values associated with Tulsi in South Asian communities within the UK, and to use DNA barcoding techniques to identify the Ocimum species used by individuals in these groups. Interviews were conducted to explore social aspects of the Tulsi plant, and samples were collected for DNA analysis. Data was collected detailing the traditional and contemporary use of Tulsi within South Asian communities in the UK. Interview results also revealed the origins, use and transmission of knowledge of the medicinal and cultural values associated with Tulsi. DNA analyses confirmed that samples collected from communities in the UK described as Shyam Tulsi were Ocimum tenuiflorum. However, samples described as Raam Tulsi were not Ocimum tenuiflorum but instead Ocimum gratissimum. The data indicate that Tulsi holds a prestigious position within South Asian UK households. However, DNA analysis confirms that with the transmission of traditions from one country to another has come the confusion of species. This indicates the need to document and understand traditions and promote their safe use within diasporic communities.

Keywords: Tulsi, Holy Basil, Ocimum tenuiflorum, DNA Barcoding, Ethnopharmacy

References:

[1] Joshi, V et al (2012). Pharmacognostic and scientific evaluation of the plant – tulsi (Ocimum sanctum). IJGHC, 1(1): 75 – 90.

[2] Christina, V.L.P. Annamalai, A. (2014). Nucleotide based validation of Ocimum species by evaluating three candidate barcodes of the chloroplast region. Molecular Ecology, 14: 60 – 68.