Holy Basil

Picture of Holy Basil Plant

Holy Basil Plant

Holy Basil Benefits

Holy Basil is great for reducing depression, stress and anxiety. It promotes health and wellbeing and protects the mind and body in a very positive way.

It is an adaptogen, meaning it brings balance to the entire body and protects it from stresses of all kinds. It increases strength, stamina and endurance and allows the body to utilize oxygen more efficiently while it promotes proper protein synthesis in the body. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is a very important herb.

It can improve digestion, boost the immune system and promote cardiovascular health. Holy Basil has stood the test of time, being used in India for thousands of years for it’s medicinal properties.

In India, it is used to promote a relaxed, balanced state that is helpful for meditation. It was widely used be holy men for that purpose. It was considered helpful for spiritual growth.

Holy Basil enhances cerebral circulation and improves memory. It reduces unclear thinking and mental fog. For these reasons, it has been used to treat ADD and ADHD and depression.

It balances the hormones and helps maintain healthy cortisol levels. It has anti-inflammatory properties as well. It is helpful in maintaining normal blood sugar levels too.

Holy Basil is often used to treat coughs, sore throats and the common cold, as it boosts the body’s ability to resist viral and bacterial infections and fevers. It promotes a healthy respiratory system and can be used to treat bronchitis, asthma and allergies.

It’s also good for maintaining a healthy digestive system, relieving cramps and gas. It is good for the eyes and protects against some forms of radiation. It contains compounds that are antioxidant in nature, helping protect the body against dangerous free radicals and oxidation.

Holy Basil is good for the liver and promotes it’s healthy functioning. It can eliminate harmful chemicals in the bloodstream and protects against liver disease. It also has the ability to strengthen the kidneys.

This herb is also useful in maintaining dental health and reduces bad breath as well.

It also has some topical applications like the treatment of bug bites and skin disorders. It is a very versatile plant witch is very beneficial to health.

Because Holy Basil is so beneficial to the entire body, it is considered a longevity enhancing herb and has often been taken for this reason alone.

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Holy Basil Uses

  • Reduce stress, depression and anxiety
  • Treat panic attacks
  • Promote mental relaxation
  • As an adaptogen
  • Treat convulsions
  • Treat cancer
  • Increase strength, stamina and endurance
  • Utilize oxygen more efficiently
  • Promote proper protein synthesis
  • Aid digestion
  • Boost the functioning of the immune system
  • As an aid to meditation and spiritual growth
  • Promote cerebral circulation
  • Improve memory
  • Promote clarity of thought and focus
  • Treat diabetes
  • Treat ADHD and ADD
  • For faster wound healing
  • As a pain reducer
  • Treat kidney stones
  • Treat high cholesterol
  • Treat heart disorders
  • Treat mouth infections
  • Treat headaches
  • Treat poisoning
  • Balance hormones
  • Maintain healthy cortisol levels
  • Maintain proper blood sugar levels
  • Treat inflammation
  • Treat colds, sore throat and coughs
  • Treat snakebite and scorpion stings
  • Resist bacterial and viral infections
  • Treat malaria
  • Reduce fevers
  • Maintain respiratory health
  • Treat asthma, allergies and bronchitis
  • Treat arthritis
  • Relieve gas and stomach cramps
  • Protect vision and eye health
  • Protect against radiation
  • As a powerful antioxidant
  • Protect the liver and kidneys
  • Maintain dental health and reduce bad breath
  • Treat insect bites and skin problems



Scientific Name

Ocimum Sanctum

Common Names

Tulsi, Sacred basil, Surasa, Tulasi, Kemangen

Where It’s Found

Holy Basil is native to India

Which Part Is Used

The leaves,stems and seeds

Picture of Holy Basil Leaves and Stems

Holy Basil Leaves and Stems

How It Works

Though the workings of Holy Basil are still largely unknown to modern science, it is known to contain many phytochemicals, nutrients, triterpenes, essential oils and flavonoids that are helpful to the body.

How It’s Used

It is usually used as a tea or dried and powdered and put into capsules.

Precautions and Side Effects:

Holy Basil has the ability to slightly thin the blood and shouldn’t be taken by people taking blood thinning medications. It may also lower the blood sugar and shouldn’t be taken by anyone with hypoglycemia. It may decrease fertility and should never be taken by women trying to conceive. Never take if pregnant or nursing without first talking to your doctor.

Description and History Of Holy Basil

This herb belongs to the mint family. It is an annual herb. It is bush-like and grows up to one and a half feet tall. The plant has numerous small leaves and purple flowers which grow on hairy stems. There is a red variety and a green. The red has a much stronger scent.

In India, for thousands of years, Holy Basil has been considered a holy herb. It was often taken by the Hindu holy men to induce clarity of mind and as an aid to meditation and spiritual growth. They called it the “elixir of life” and used it for it’s ability to promote longevity and good health.

It is associated with the Hindu God Vishnu and is often used at morning prayer time to promote spiritual purity. Beads are made from the plants stems and used in meditation for protection and clarity of mind.

Editor’s Comments

I have taken this in the past to reduce anxiety and for relaxation. It is very effective.

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References


Holy Basil research paper
Natural database – Holy Basil
Organic India – What is Tulsi (Holy Basil)

 

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