January 26, 2020

5 Surprising Benefits of Holy Basil (aka Tulsi)

What is Holy Basil?

1. Yoga in a Cup

Miss your yoga class? No worries…a daily cup of Tulsi Holy Basil tea can bring many of the same benefits as the regular practice of yoga. Like yoga, Tulsi is considered “adaptogenic” by nurturing the body, the mind, and the spirit while delivering a feeling of relaxation and well being. Tulsi will leave you with clarity of thought and calmness, unlike coffee and tea which will increase stimulation and may cause physical and mental agitation. Tulsi also does not produce physical dependency [1].

2. Devine Detoxifier

 

Tulsi may be calming but it is also a powerful detoxifier. Due to Tulsi’s high phenolic content and antioxidant properties, it has shown the ability to assist with the body’s internal housekeeping and protection from toxin-related damage. This is true for damage from both natural toxins produced within the body and those from external industrial toxins such as heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, radiation, pesticides and pollutants. Tulsi is also very good at augmenting the bodies natural channels of elimination by enhancing the activity of the livers detoxification enzymes [1].

3. Magical Mouthwash

 

Studies have shown Tulsi Tea to be an effective mouthwash. Clinical trials have produced evidence that rinsing with Tulsi is as effective as 0.2% Chlohexidine and Listerine in reducing Streptococcus mutans, the organism responsible for tooth decay. [2]

 

4. Anxiety and Depression Buster

 

Modern scientific research has revealed Tulsi to be an adaptogen, having anti-anxiety and anti-depressant properties. However Ayurvedic practitioners encourage using Tulsi as more of a preventative measure to help the body adapt to psychological and physical stress and prevent future stress-related diseases. They highly recommend daily consumption of Tulsi Tea as an essential lifestyle practice. In short use Holy Basil for anxiety [1].

5. Vehicle of Consciousness

 

You can feel really good about buying Tulsi from its Indian sources. Organic India Pvt. Ldt. has created a  “vehicle of consciousness” that ingrains a sustainable and equitable business ecology in thousands of India’s organic Tulsi farmers to stem the global tide of toxicity, food insecurity and poverty [1].

 

How to Include Tulsi in Your Daily Diet 

 

Ayurvedic wisdom recommends the daily consumption of Tulsi Holy Basil Tea  as an essential lifestyle practice.

Many herbal blends include adaptogenic tulsi (holy basil) and follow ayurvedic principles. Visit the blends highlighted below to explore cleansing and detoxifying blends as well as Ayurvedic balancing blends. 

References: 

[1] Cohen, Marc Maurice. "Tulsi-Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons." Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine 5, no. 4 (2014): 251.

[2] Comparative evaluation of efficacy of 0.2% Chlorhexidine, Listerine and Tulsi extract mouth rinses on salivary Streptococcus mutans count of high school children--RCT. Agarwal P, Nagesh L Contemp Clin Trials. 2011 Nov; 32(6):802-8.

 

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