Holy Basil - Find out how this herb can help alleviate stress This ancient Ayurvedic herb may just help you relax when all other methods fail.

We all know that stress is a part of life and that we must learn to manage through the best means possible, whether it is by getting more sleep, creating healthier eating habits and eating clean whole foods, or getting enough physical exercise during the day. We also know that stress is a dominant factor in inhibiting our immune system. But what happens when we try to create a healthy lifestyle, yet still can’t seem to shake off the feeling of being “too” stressed out?

Enter the ancient herb tulsi. 

What is Tulsi?

Also known as Holy Basil (ocimum sanctum), it is a principal herb of Ayurveda, the ancient traditional holistic health system of India. It is a common plant found in Indian subcontinant, closely related to the sweet basil cooking herb Ocimum basilicum, where it was named tulsi which translates as “incomparable one.” The plant is considered sacred, and is used extensively in religious ceremonies and is believed to protect any home where it is grown. Lacking in toxicity, and marked by its strong pungent aroma and taste similar to cloves, tulsi has been long regarded as a kind of “the elixir of life” as it promotes longevity.

According to the Ayurvedic traditions, tulsi is one of the best herbs to prepare the heart and mind for spiritual practices, remedy colds and flu, treat snake bites and many other skin conditions, and even reduce a fever.

Main Active & Chemical components:

  • Eugenol
  • Carvacol
  • Beta-caryphyllene
  • Ursolic acid
  • Flavonoids

Benefits of Tulsi:

Holy Basil is one of the best ‘adaptogens’ (an agent that helps the body adapt more to stress) available in herbal medicine. Tulsi oil has antioxidant properties which may be why it is so effective in reducing the damaging effects of stress on the body. It is known to counteract many troublesome effects of chronic stress, including nervousness, sleeplessness, and digestive disorders. In addition, tulsi seems to influence the neurochemistry of the brain in a way similar to antidepressant medications, yet is safe to use alongside pharmaceutical antidepressants.

Other benefits include, but are not limited to:

  • Protects the body and brain of the harmful effects of stress
  • Creates a positive influence on mood
  • Enhances stamina and endurance
  • Boosts the immune system
  • Reduces fevers, and LDL cholesterol, and inflammation
  • Prevents gastric ulcers
  • Enhances periodontal health
  • Helps reduce the speed of the aging process
  • Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients

How to Take Your Tulsi

Holy Basil can be eaten fresh and straight from the source (see Grow Your Own Tulsi Plant below), or it can be taken in capsule form or as a tea. Recommended doses in extracted form for adults is to use the standardized to 2% ursolic acid in 400 mg capsules, two capsules once or twice daily with food.

When eating fresh, you can chew on a few leaves every day for benefits.

To make tulsi tea, add 1 tsp. dried leaves to 8 oz. hot water, steep, covered, 5–10 minutes. You can take 4 oz. of tulsi tea up to three times daily.

WARNING

While many people may benefit from Holy Basil, there are certain people who have the following conditions, that should NOT be taking Tulsi:

  • Hypoglycemic, since tulsi has lowered blood glucose levels in animal studies
  • Those on anti-coagulants, as tulsi has shown to increase bleeding time.
  • Those wanting to conceive, as tulsi has been shown in animal studies to be antispematogenic and have anti-fertility effects.
  • Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as tulsi may stimulate uterine contractions.
Always be sure to work with a Registered and Certified holistic nutritionist or health care practitioner who knows your health history before adding any herbs, supplements or medicines to your regime. Don’t have a holistic nutritionist? Find one here.

Grow Your Own Tulsi Plant

  1. Place the seeds between warm, moist paper towels for a day, and then plant them a half-inch below the surface in rich potting soil.
  2. Keep the pot in a warm, well-lit area. Tulsi plants need a lot of sun.
  3. Water the seeds daily. A sprout will start to breakthrough in about 10 days.
  4. Once the plant reaches a height of about 12 inches, you can a) pinch back any flowers to keep it from going to seed; or b) allow the plant to seed and start a new generation.

Come and check out Chantal! At The Naked Label we can’t wait to see what new things Chantal is cooking up at Sexy Turnip Health & Nutrition. This nutritionist-in-training, founder of Sexy Turnip Health & Nutrition and beautiful mom not only delivers a French and English blog, but always delivers the big scoop on the hottest holistic nutrition topics! Click here to check her out! 

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Sources:
http://naturalstandard.com/databases/sports/all/holybasil.asp?#undefined
Blossom, S. Tulsi, ok. Natural Health 2005;35(9).
http://www.organicindia.co.in/tulsi.php
http://www.chopra.com/community/online-library/ayurvedic-herbs-foods/tulsi-holy-basil

Photo by Chantal Jura