Camptotheca acuminata vs Purple Basil

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Camptotheca acuminata

Antioxidant

Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens

Antioxidant

Camptotheca acuminata

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Purple Basil

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Description

Fast-growing Chinese tree source of camptothecin, the basis for several anticancer chemotherapy drugs.

Purple-leaved cultivar of sweet basil with high anthocyanin content; used similarly to green basil with additional antioxidant interest.

Active Compounds

camptothecin, 10-hydroxycamptothecin, flavonoids, alkaloids

linalool, eugenol, anthocyanins, rosmarinic acid, flavonoids

Traditional Uses

Traditional Chinese medicine for digestive cancers, Used in TCM for psoriasis and other skin conditions

Digestive conditions in Mediterranean folk medicine, Wound healing poultice, Respiratory infections, Culinary and ornamental

Modern Uses

Anticancer drug source for irinotecan and topotecan, Anti-inflammatory, Antiviral research

Antioxidant via high anthocyanins, Carminative, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory

Adult Dosage

Pharmaceutical extraction only; raw plant toxic to normal cells

2–3 g dried herb as tea; culinary amounts liberally

Contraindications

All conditions without pharmaceutical processing, Pregnancy

Anticoagulant medications in high doses

Side Effects

Severe GI toxicity, Bone marrow suppression, Death from raw plant

Blood thinning potential, GI upset in excess

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E