Holy Basil (Tulsi) Liquid Extract: Uses, Dosage and How to Formulate With It

Holy Basil (Tulsi) Liquid Extract is a concentrated herbal extract made from the Tulsi plant (Ocimum basilicum), meant to be added at 1–2% into skincare, haircare and wellness formulations rather than used neat. Azlok offers it as a 4:1 extract, meaning 4 kg of Tulsi herb yields 1 kg of finished extract, so a little goes a long way.

Tulsi is native to the Indian subcontinent and has been valued here for generations. It is often called the ‘Queen of Herbs’ and is considered an adaptogen — a natural substance traditionally used to help the body cope with everyday stress. This extract captures those plant compounds in an easy-to-blend liquid form.

What is Holy Basil (Tulsi) Liquid Extract?

It is a liquid extract drawn from the Tulsi plant. Azlok supplies it in two versions to suit different formulations:

Water soluble (alcohol-free): extracted using vegetable palm glycerin (vegetable glycerol). Ideal for water-based products.
Oil soluble: extracted using soy oil, suitable for oil-based blends and balms.

Key specifications: Botanical name Ocimum basilicum, CAS number 84775-71-3, extract strength 4:1, and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) used as a preservative note. It is free from gluten, artificial colour, heavy metals and fertilizers, with a shelf life of about 2 years.

Common uses

Because it is a formulation-grade ingredient, Tulsi extract is blended into finished products rather than used on its own. Makers commonly add it to:

Face and body serums, creams and lotions
Toners, mists and cleansers
Hair oils, shampoos and scalp treatments
Soaps, balms and other bath products
Wellness and aromatherapy-style blends

Choose the water-soluble grade for lotions, toners and shampoos, and the oil-soluble grade for face oils, balms and anhydrous products.

How to use it

The recommended usage is 1–2% of your total formulation. For example, in 100 g of a cream, that works out to roughly 1–2 g of extract.

Decide whether your base is water-based or oil-based, and pick the matching grade.
Weigh your extract accurately rather than estimating by drops.
Add it into the correct phase — water phase for the glycerin extract, oil phase for the soy-oil extract.
Blend thoroughly until fully incorporated.
If you are selling products, always use a suitable broad-spectrum preservative in water-containing formulas and test stability before scaling up.

Safety and precautions

This is a cosmetic and formulation raw material. Please use it responsibly:

Keep it away from the reach of children.
Avoid direct contact with the eyes.
Do a small patch test on skin before using any new finished product.
Observe caution with external applications, especially on sensitive or broken skin.
No herb-drug interactions are known, but if you are pregnant, nursing or under medical care, consult a qualified professional before use.
Do not treat this article as medical advice — we make no claims to cure or treat any condition.

Buying and storage tips

Azlok stocks the extract in a wide range of pack sizes — 100 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg and 20 kg — so hobbyists and small businesses can both find a suitable quantity. Pricing starts at ₹299. For bulk buyers, Certificates of Analysis (COA) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available for both the water-soluble and oil-soluble grades.

To keep it fresh through its 2-year shelf life:

Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat.
Keep the container tightly closed to limit air exposure.
Use clean, dry tools when measuring to avoid contamination.
Label your batch with the date opened so you can track freshness.

FAQ

How much Tulsi extract should I add to my product?

The recommended usage is 1–2% of the total formulation. In 100 g of product, that is about 1–2 g of extract.

What does the 4:1 ratio mean?

It means 4 kg of Tulsi herb is used to produce 1 kg of extract, so the extract is concentrated. That is why only a small percentage is needed in formulations.

Is there an alcohol-free version?

Yes. The water-soluble grade is alcohol-free and is extracted using vegetable palm glycerin (vegetable glycerol). An oil-soluble grade extracted with soy oil is also available.

Can I take this extract internally?

This product is intended as a formulation raw material for external cosmetic use. Do not ingest it. Consult a qualified professional for any internal or medicinal use.

How long does it last and how should I store it?

It has a shelf life of about 2 years when stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, with the container kept tightly closed.