Lately, I’ve been obsessed with tea.
Join me on a quick journey to learn about one of my favorite teas.
Holy Basil is well known for its versatile properties. It’s an adaptogen with antioxidant, neuroprotective, stress-reducing, and radioprotective effects.
Can it calm my anxiety?
Will it help with me to cope with the stressors of everyday life?
What can one herb possibly do for me?
Let’s see where we can introduce a little bit of calm with this powerful plant.
WHAT IS Holy basil?
Holy Basil also known as Tulsi is one of the most sacred plants in India. Its primary botanical name is Ocimum tenuiflorum. It’s said that everything about this plant is holy, and is often described as “the incomparable one”. It belongs to the mint family and has been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years for its diverse healing properties.
A PLANT THAT CAN HELP US TO THRIVE IN THE UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE’RE ALL FACING TODAY!
For humans, consuming adaptogenic foods & herbs provides the actual ability to adapt—to calm anxiety and provide the composure to manage our stressful lives.
In India, Holy Basil is prized as a medicinal herb and has been used for thousands of years in healing, and is most commonly known as an adaptogen for its ability to uplift your spirits and rejuvenate the entire body at a cellular level. It bathes the whole system and brings the body and the mind into balance.
WHAT OTHER POWERS DOES HOLY BASIL HOLD?
It improves digestion and absorption of nutrients from the foods you eat
It’s a powerful decongestant and expectorant and contains anti-spasmodic properties (great for the respiratory system)
It’s an immune modulator by mitigating cytokine activity
It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory
It has powerful antioxidant properties-rich in polyphenols and flavonoids
It has anti-microbial properties
It offers liver support
It supports glutathione activity
It is considered a nervine herb, meaning it supports the nervous system
It promotes milk flow in breastfeeding mothers.
WHAT DOES THE EVIDENCE SAY?
Holy Basil (Tulsi) has been found to protect organs and tissues from chemical stress, heavy metals, and physical stress.
It’s been studied in its ability to normalize blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid levels
Holy Basil has been shown to have neuroprotective effects with action in memory enhancement and mood stabilization.
It has been shown to have anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties.
My ability to build resilience (meaning how I can help my own body to respond) appreciates
the lift and balance it provides when I add a cup of Holy Basil tea to my daily routine.
REVERED AS THE ELIXIR OF LIFE…. OH MY!
With its ability to combat the heightened levels of stress during this pandemic as well as the increase of demands in daily life, it’s no wonder it has been put on such a high pedestal in the herbal realm.
Holy Basil is easy to grow and is intensely aromatic with a twist of spicy bitter sweetness. You can use it as a tea, or sprinkle it dried on your food, or add it to ghee. It can also be found in tincture form, powder form, and capsules.
WHO SHOULD USE CAUTION IN USING HOLY BASIL?
Women who are pregnant or struggling with infertility and those trying to get pregnant should avoid Holy Basil.
Those taking blood sugar-lowering medications should exercise caution due to its blood glucose normalizing effects.
I hope you will join me in a cup of Holy Basil (Tulsi) tea!
I’d love to hear about your experience with it.
