For centuries, the dried leaves have been mixed with stored grains to repel insects.[24] In Sri Lanka this plant is used as a mosquito repellent. Sinhala: MaduruthalaaSome of the main chemical constituents of tulsi are: oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid,[25] eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, β-caryophyllene (about 8%),[17] β-elemene (c.11.0%), and germacrene D (about 2%).

For centuries, the dried leaves have been mixed with stored grains to repel insects.[24] In Sri Lanka this plant is used as a mosquito repellent. Sinhala: MaduruthalaaSome of the main chemical constituents of tulsi are: oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid,[25] eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, β-caryophyllene (about 8%),[17] β-elemene (c.11.0%), and germacrene D (about 2%).