Holy Basil – Queen of Herbs

Holy Basil’s time-honored reputation for contributing to health and well-being is being upheld by modern scientific studies and research.

Revered in Ayurvedic traditions, holy basil (or tulsi) is considered to be an “elixir of life.” It is an essential element of daily rituals, morning and evening, and incorporated into spiritual and purification ceremonies. Eaten raw or cooked, or made into a tea, it is consumed daily to promote longevity, health and well-being of body, mind and spirit.

Many laboratory experiments and human clinical trials are demonstrating a growing awareness and verification of its effectiveness in a wide variety of prevention and therapeutic applications. The U.S. National Institutes of Health and National Center for Biotechnology Information contain substantial information on research conducted on the benefits of this aromatic herb in their databases. In Canada, holy basil is included in 50 licensed natural health products, and it is listed in pharmacopoeias in India, Thailand and Viet Nam, in the European Commission Health and Consumer Directorate, as well as the World Health Organization.

A Potent Adaptogen

If the capacity to adapt to stress is exceeded, maladaption occurs, which can disrupt organ function and biochemical pathways. Holy basil promotes adaptation by supporting cellular and physiological adaptive functions. It helps to restore physiological and psychological balance and to overcome the detrimental effects of chemical, physical, infectious and emotional stressors.

Mental and emotional stress. Holy basil’s ability to help relax and calm the mind was validated by the results of a 6-week study showing improvement in stress scores, sexual and sleep problems, and symptoms such as forgetfulness and exhaustion. Other holy basil clinical trials have shown benefits for nervous tension and mood. We include holy basil in our well respected In∙Joy™ formula.

Toxic stressors. Toxins can be produced internally or come from natural sources, pharmaceuticals or chemical pollutants. Holy Basil protects the body from these toxins by supporting our “internal housekeeping” functions. It supports the body’s natural detoxification enzymes, deactivating toxins and enabling them to be safely excreted. It also supports antioxidant molecules and antioxidant enzyme activity, protecting cells and cell membranes.

Enhanced Immunity and Protection

It is no wonder that holy basil is referred to as The Incomparable One. The range of body organs and systems it protects and the number of ways it protects our bodies from harm are truly staggering.

Its protective effects include: liver - hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and radioprotective.

Revered and Sacred

In Hinduism, tulsi is considered to be a goddess. The plant is revered and considered sacred. No Hindu household is complete without a holy basil plant, usually in an ornate container in the courtyard, to connect the inhabitants with the divine and to repel mosquitoes and flies. It is used to create holy water in Hinduism and some Greek Orthodox churches, and it is made into meditation beads.

Tulsi is planted in cities to combat air pollution. The Taj Mahal in Agra has hundreds of thousands of holy basil plants surrounding it to protect the iconic marble structure from the damaging effects of environmental pollution.

All this and more…the more you learn about holy basil, the more you realize that there is so much more to learn. Known as the Mother Medicine of Nature, tulsi offers tremendous support for achieving and maintaining health – as every good mother should!

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