Dr Sukvinder Bhamra, University of Kent
With the migration of people, the movement of plants has also occurred, increasing the diverse species of plants in the UK. Tulsi also known as Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.), is native to Asia where it flourishes in warm climates. Tulsi has high cultural, medicinal and commercial value which makes the plant so desirable. The practice of sharing seeds and plant cuttings has increased the availability of Tulsi in the UK. Insights into migration patterns, indicates migration has influenced the species of Tulsi known and grown in the UK. Species substitution was identified using DNA barcoding techniques, which found an African variety of Ocimum (Ocimum gratissimum L.) had substituted the Indian variety (Ocimum tenuiflorum) which is now commonly found in UK households.
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Sukvinder Bhamra is a Senior Lecturer at the Medway School of Pharmacy, specialising in teaching dermatology and pharmacy practice. Her research focuses on ethnopharmacology and the current trends in the use of natural products. She is the co-chair (Prof. M. Heinrich) of the Drugs from natural sources focus group at the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences; and a member of the scientific committee for the Society for Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research.