Ocimum tenuiflorum (formerly Ocimum sanctum) of the Lamiaceae (mint) family

History & Growing:

Native to tropical regions such as Asia, parts of Africa, India, and Pacific Islands. It is a cousin to traditional brasil; three prominent cultivars are commonly consumed medicinally under the “holy basil” moniker: Krishna, Vana, and Rama, with Rama being the most common. Temperate holy basil, or Kapoor, is often used in cooking – it is said to be more mild. It is easy to grow from seed, but it is frost sensitive. Tulsi likes full sun and is tolerant of many soils. Many cite its ability to grow well indoors. Known as an earlier bloomer, the young shoots are harvested to keep the plant bushy and thriving. If allowed to flowers, the plant can really take off! The flowers can be harvested and used medicinally as well.

Parts of Tulsi Used Medicinally: Aerial portions: leaves & flowers. Seeds are quoted to have demulcent medicinal properties, though probably less commonly used.

Ways to consume Tulsi:

• Delicious as a tea, and probably the most recommended medicinally as a tonic.
• Tincture, medicinal ghee, infused into oils and/or vinegars, oxymel, juiced, powder, topically as a compress or poultice.
• The essential oil is also a powerful medicinal agent, positively impacting the upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, throat and possibly bronchioles)  

Taste: DELICIOUS! Similar to a mild black tea and mint tea. Pungent and aromatic, some describe it as peppery or licorice-like. Various cultivars may vary in taste.

Energetics: Mildly warming and mildly drying

Actions:

• ADAPTOGEN
• Antioxidant
• Antidepressant
• Antianxiety
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Antiprotozoal
• Antiviral
• Antimutagenic
• Carminative
• Cholesterol-lowering
• Diuretic
• Stimulant diaphoretic (promote sweating to help break a lingering fever)
• Expectorant
• Immune stimulant
• Galactagogue
• Nervine relaxant
• Nootropic*
• Anti-catarrhal
• Immunomodulator
• Anti-inflammatory
• Hypotensive
• Hypoglycemic*

*Holy basil can help re-sensitize cell receptors to insulin in insulin-resistant/T2 Diabetics

            ** Understanding insulin-resistance and T2 diabetes

*Holy basil can be considered nootropic due to its ability to improve cognition and mental clarity

Organs & Body Systems Tulsi Acts Upon:

• Respiratory system (upper respiratory tract/mucosa)
• Nervous system (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis)
• Digestive system (liver)
• Immune system
• Cardiovascular system (heart)
• Skin (topical uses)

Traditional Uses:

• Tulsi is a sacred plant in India; it is often grown in courtyards or outside of homes and temples as a symbol of piety, as well as to purify and bless the area.
  • In Hindu culture, tulsi is considered the earthly manifestation of Tulasi-the avatar of Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity. She is the wife/consort to Vishnu, the protector and preserver of the universe.
  • In Sanskrit, tulsi means “matchless” or “incomparable one”
• It is drunk daily by many to increase longevity, vitality, focus and compassion. Tulsi is a companion to meditation, and is used to help improve meditative experiences.
• Home remedy in Thailand for stomach and sinus ailments, as well as headaches.
• Tulsi has been used as a culinary spice in Thai and Asian cooking, often added to dishes like stir fry as well as in seasoning sauces, meats and seafoods.
• The dried stems are used to make a rosary or prayer beads
• A popular traditional folk remedy for many years in treating stomach ailments and respiratory complaints.

Current Uses:

• Ayurvedic medicine has used tulsi for a number of ailments, namely T2 diabetes as well as a “great protector” to improve digestion, soothe chronic pain, and keep colds/infections at bay.
• As a mild diuretic, tulsi supports the kidneys by increasing urination which helps rid the body of toxins and lowering uric acid.
• Tulsi is strongly antioxidant with an affinity for the heart and liver
  • Tulsi is rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a choice herb for heart & cardiovascular complications as well as for supporting the liver. Relieving the body of inflammation can ease the strain on the liver, and holy basil does this AND MORE.
  • Tulsi helps prevent free radical damage and inflammation that leads to atherosclerosis.
  • Tulsi helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol, effectively reducing stress on the heart and liver, demonstrating its cardioprotective and hepatoprotective qualities.
  • It can be used as a tonic for metabolic syndrome: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor glucose regulation and/or chronic conditions where inflammation is present.
• Tulsi is often featured as part of a grief formula.
  • Tulsi is often used for an emotionally stressed, taxed and/or broken heart
• As an adaptogen, holy basil fosters resilience and improves ones response to stress. It is calming, centering,  and grounding as well as uplifting. Tulsi improves mental clarity and focus, making it an herbal ally for those who have been labeled or diagnosed as ADHD. Tulsi is a wonderful herb for a “scatterbrained” person, or someone going through major life changes. (new job, new home, etc)
• Due to its digestive and nervous system affinities, holy basil is wonderful for nervous digestion, similar to herbs like chamomile, lemon balm and catnip.
• Because of its strong diaphoretic and expectorant properties, holy basil is a fantastic herb where excess mucus and damp accumulation are present: colds, flus, fevers, allergies and sinus infections. Tulsi helps “vent heat” outwards.
  • This may also indicate holy basil for asthmatic symptoms.
• Tulsi is an immunomodulator, meaning it helps increase immune cell activity to fight infection and disease.
• Topically, the herb can be applied to treat insect bites, ringworm, and some skin diseases. In some cases, it may be used for ear aches or infections.
  • Tulsi may also be used as in cases of jaundice or mouth ulcers.
• Holy basil is used by some herbalists to aid excessive cannabis users.
• Superpower: Adaptogen Ally. Relaxing yet uplifting, holy basil brings light in times of darkness. Holy basil has an influence on the nervous and endocrine system, helping folks adapt to stress and overwhelm, making it a premier choice when depleted, worn down, and chronically fatigued. Holy basil, particularly consumed regularly, can help one more calmy respond to and cope with stress. She won’t make all your problems disappear, but she can give you the foundation to meet her halfway when you feel hopeless.

Studies:

• Research on holy basil has been conducted for decades.
  • Tulsi’s impact on blood sugar has been established, and is considered a safe and useful treatment in some types of diabetes
  • Studies in Indi have shown tulsi helps lower blood pressure, and preliminary research indicates it can strengthen immunity, protect against radiation, and has anticancer properties.
  • Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Chevallier
  • Science Direct cited article

Dosage:

• 2 teaspoons of dried herb in tea 1-3 times per day
  • It should be noted I sometimes exceed this!
• Tincture: 2-4ml 1-3 times per day
• Follow dosage on standardized extract

Contraindications:

• Not recommended in pregnancy
• Rarely known to aggravate reflux.
• Hypoglycemic, so use with caution/awareness if you have diabetes.

Planetary, Elemental, Dosha Associations:

Tridoshic plant!

• Jupiter rulership: the planet of expansion.
• Fire element: pungent, aromatic, stimulating, warming.
• Strongly indicated for cold/wet constitutions because of its stimulating warmth, depressed or stagnant states, relaxing excess wind/tension, and expectorating excess dampness.

Citations & Recommended Reading:

• Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Andrew Chevallier
  • The Healing Garden, Juliet Blankespoor
  • School of Evolutionary Herbalism, Sajah Popham
  • Science Direct cited article
    • Holy basil (tulsi) lowers fasting glucose and improves lipid profile in adults with metabolic disease: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Author: Negar Jamshidi,Cliff Da Costa,Marc Cohen. Publication:  Journal of Functional Foods Publisher: Elsevier Date: June 2018

Coach Becca’s Chocolate Mint Tisane

Coach Becca’s Masala Chai & Chill

Recipe of the Week:

Easy Holy Basil and Mint Tea

Add 1 teaspoon holy basil and 1 teaspoon mint to a cup of hot water. Infuse for 15-30 minutes before straining & enjoying, sweeting to taste.