Holy Basil/Tulsi

Health Benefits

Hindu people worship holy basil. It's considered the "Mother Medicine of Nature." It’s been revered since ancient times as an herb that can promote a healthy body, mind, and spirit.

The sacred plant is often planted around Hindu shrines. The name Tulsi means "the incomparable one."

In Western medicine, holy basil is valued as an adaptogen. That's something that helps your body adapt to stress. The plant has been used to:

• Combat negative effects of stress

• Stabilize blood sugar levels

• Promote longevity

• Adaptogenic

• Anti-arthritic

• Anti-coagulant

• Anti-diabetic

• Anti-inflammatory

• Anti-pyretic (prevents fever)

• Antidiarrheal

• Antimicrobial (including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and more)

• Antioxidant

• Antitussive (treats cough)

• Liver-, brain-. and heart-protectant

Tulsi supports respiratory health, so it's especially helpful for fighting off colds, flu, and allergies. Because it helps clear out the lungs, tulsi is also great for eliminating bad breath.

Holy basil is used for its many health benefits and is popular in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Even though research hasn't yet proven its effectiveness, it's used for a long list of conditions.

Infectious conditions:

• Bronchitis

• Cold and flu

• Earache

• Fever

• Malaria

• Tuberculosis

• Viral hepatitis

Gastrointestinal problems:

• Diarrhea

• Dysentery

• Nausea and indigestion

Other conditions/symptoms:

• Asthma

• Anxiety

• Back pain

• Diabetes

• Heart disease
  

• Genitourinary disorders (conditions involving the urinary system and genitals)
  

• Headache

• Stress

It's also used to treat snakebites and ringworm and as a mosquito repellant.

Holy basil may pose risks in some situations.

• Pregnancy: Avoid holy basil if you're trying to conceive. Preliminary animal studies show it may cause uterine contractions and impair fertility. Holy basil's safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding isn't established.8

• Blood clotting: Holy basil may slow blood clotting. Don't take it for two weeks before or after surgery.

Contraindications

Holy basil isn't recommended if you're taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as:

• Coumadin (warfarin)

• Heparin

• Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

• Plavix (clopidogrel)

• Fragmin (dalteparin)

• Lovenox (enoxaparin)

• Ticlid (ticlopidine)

Holy basil can cause relaxation. Don't use it on top of drugs that cause drowsiness.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking holy basil with prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicine, or supplements.