Holy Basil
May 31, 2023
Understanding the Health Benefits of Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum)
Holy Basil or Tulsi is an adaptogenic herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries [1]. It's a bushy, perennial aromatic plant in the Lamiaceae family, which means that it's related to the various mints.
It has a spicy taste that is a pleasant addition to teas, which is an excellent way to get the health benefits daily. It improves the appetite and stimulates the heart.
Long appreciated for its many benefits to health and happiness, Holy Basil is sometimes called the Queen of Herbs or the Mother Medicine of Nature! Other names are the Incomparable One, and the Elixir of Life. Those are some pretty bold claims for a plant.
Modern-day scientific research substantiates many of the historic claims made for the medicinal qualities of the plant. Some of the active ingredients are eugenol, ursolic acid, beta-caryophyllene, linalool, and 1,8-cineole, all of which have known effects on the body.
The Clear Story About Holy Basil
Native to India, it's been called the most sacred plant for its uplifting effect on the mind and spirit. In the Hindu tradition, it's used in worship ceremonies and planted near temples.
Sometimes used in both weddings and funerals, Tulsi has great spiritual significance for many religious traditions. It's said to be helpful for managing all of life's transitions.
Holy Basil is also mentioned in Christian texts, with some association with the resurrection of Christ. It's used in the production of holy water by the Greek Orthodox church.
It's used in both Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of ailments - it would take a book to relate all of the medicinal uses of the herb.
How is Holy Basil Used?
For centuries, Holy Basil has been used as a healthful beverage. Its history as a medicinal herb goes back centuries in India.
- Teas
- Tinctures or extracts
- Dried leaves for cooking
- Powders
- Capsules or tablets
- Herbal oils
- Essential oils
Clear Wellness 360 Products with Holy Basil
Clear Sleep combines Holy Basil's calming properties with Magnesium to create a unique, effective sleep aid to help you fall asleep, sleep longer, and wake up refreshed.
The Science of Holy Basil / The Research Behind Holy Basil
https://www.verywellhealth.com/holy-basil-4766587 This articleon verywellhealth.com is written by a Pharmacist and talks about the benefits and potential side effects and drug interactions of using Holy Basil.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/holy-basil-tea-health-benefits WebMD has an article about the nutritional profile of Holy Basil, especially when used as a tea.
https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/plants/ayurvedic-herbs/tulsi-holy-basil-benefits/ Banyan Botanicals focuses on Holy Basil's use in Ayurvedic medicine.
https://www.effective-treatments.com/the-9-holy-basil-benefits/ From effectivetreatments.com, this article talks about the 9 most common uses for Holy Basil and its benefits.
Resources:
- Cohen MM. Tulsi - Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014 Oct-Dec;5(4):251-9. doi: 10.4103/0975-9476.146554. PMID: 25624701; PMCID: PMC4296439. Accessed April 13, 2023, Tulsi - Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons - PMC (nih.gov)
- Hasan, Mohammad Raghibul, Bader Saud Alotaibi, Ziyad Mohammed Althafar, Ahmed Hussain Mujamammi, and Jafar Jameela. 2023. "An Update on the Therapeutic Anticancer Potential of Ocimum sanctum L.: “Elixir of Life”" Molecules 28, no. 3: 1193. Accessed April 13, 2023 https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28031193
- Suanarunsawat T, Ayutthaya WD, Songsak T, Thirawarapan S, Poungshompoo S. Lipid-lowering and antioxidative activities of aqueous extracts of Ocimum sanctum L. leaves in rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2011;2011:962025. doi: 10.1155/2011/962025. Epub 2011 Sep 21. PMID: 21949899; PMCID: PMC3178181. Lipid-Lowering and Antioxidative Activities of Aqueous Extracts of Ocimum sanctum L. Leaves in Rats Fed with a High-Cholesterol Diet - PMC (nih.gov)
