Effects of Aqueous Extract of Tulsi and Cardamom on Elderly Depressive Subjects - A Preliminary Clinical Study

An aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) and Elettaria cardamomum (Cardamom) was administered to elderly subjects suffering from depression living in selected old age home. Geriatric Depression Assessment Scale was used to assess the level of depression; based on the scale, 40 subjects were selected for the study. The subjects were divided into two groups of twenty each. Experimental group received aqueous extracts of Ocimum sanctum and cardamom for eight weeks, similarly, control group received aqueous extract of green tea leaves. Post assessment was done after eight weeks of treatment in both the control and experimental groups. Aqueous extracts of Ocimum sanctum and cardamom were found to have a significant anti depressive effect on experimental group after 8 weeks, while control group did not show any significant change. Preliminary data of the study showed a significant antidepressive activity of Ocimum sanctum and cardamom extracts.