Optimizing eugenol extraction conditions from fresh and dried samples of holy basil (Ocimum sanctum)

The study of herbal medicine is simultaneously an ancient practice and a currently growing and evolving field. A staggering variety of therapeutic agents have already been isolated from essential oils and their beneficial medical properties demonstrated. Holy basil (O. sanctum) has been the subject of many studies with the active ingredient eugenol proving to be a potent adaptogenic agent, with healing potential across a wide array of ailments. For continuing research, as well as therapeutic use, determining and understanding the ideal eugenol extraction conditions for different preparations of the herb is essential. This study investigates the optimal conditions under which eugenol can be extracted from freshly grown and commercially prepared samples of holy basil (O. sanctum).

Author(s): Caitlin N. Hahn and Jeremy R. Burkett*

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