Holy Basil
What is Holy Basil?
Latin- Ocimum sanctum
Indian- Tulsi
Holy Basil has a long tradition of use in Ayurvedic medicine and is a well-known sacred plant of the Indian subcontinent. Holy Basil is now being talked about as one of the new adaptogens – yet it has been used for thousands of years by people who knew of its many benefits.
Benefits of Holy Basil
- Protects against and reduces stress
- Enhances stamina and endurance
- Increases the body’s efficient use of oxygen
- Boosts the immune system
- Reduces inflammation
- Protects against radiation damage
- Lessens aging factors
- Supports the heart, lungs and liver
- Has antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties
- Enhances the efficacy of many other therapeutic treatments
- Provides a rich supply of antioxidants and other nutrients
Usage of Holy Basil
Tea: Add 1 tsp. dried leaf or powder to 8 oz. hot water, steep, covered, 5-10 minutes. Take 4 oz. up to three times per day.
Capsules: Various forms of capsulated products are available. These include extracts in gelcaps, dried or powdered herb in capsules, and standardized extracts (2 percent ursolic acid) in capsules.
Holy Basil can be added to your favorite smoothie, consumed as a warm beverage by adding it to water and steeping as above.
Contraindications of Holy Basil
There have been contradictory animal studies showing that holy basil might be toxic to embryos. Until conclusive information exists, avoid using it during pregnancy. Holy basilalso is reported to have an antifertility effect and should be avoided if a woman is trying to get pregnant.
Herb/Drug Interactions: Preliminary studies indicate that holy basil might enhance CYP-450 activity, thus speeding up the elimination of some medications.
