Latin Name: Ocimum sanctum / tenuiflorum
Family: Lamiaceae
Part used: Herb, Seed & Root
Energetics: Warming, Cooling, Sweet, Pungent
Iris: All types
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
- Trying to conceive
- Diabetes (monitor blood sugar)
- Allergic hypersensitivity.
ACTIONS
- Adaptogen
- Carminative
- Antibacterial
- Antidiabetic
- Antidepressant
- Antioxidant
- Antihistamine
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-parasitic
- Anti-cholesterolaemic
- Anti-catarrhal
- Anti- neoplastic
- Anti-ulcer
- Anti-emetic
- Anti-viral
- Mild antispasmodic
- Aromatic
- Diuretic
- Expectorant
- Galactagogue
- Immuno-modulator
- Neuroprotective
- Relaxing nervine
- Diaphoretic
- Cardio-tonic
- Analgesic.
Main Constituents
- Volatile oils
- Saponins
- Polysaccharides
- Glycosides
- Tannins
- Alkaloids
- Ascorbic acid
- Carotene
- Eugenol
- Methyl eugenol
- Linalool
- Apigenin
- Orientin
- Vicenin.
Main Uses
Adaptogen tonic to the Autonomic nervous system and Cardiovascular system.
Digestive System: Flatulence, IBS, Constipation/ Diarrhoea, Nausea
Bacterial, Viral and Fungal Infections: Fungal and bacterial skin infections
Eyes: Inflammatory eye disorders
Circulatory: Adaptogen tonic to the CV system, Improves endurance, Improves stamina, slows the ageing process, Hypertension, Diabetes and Dysglycemia
Mental/Emotional: Anxiety, Depression, Exhaustion
Nervous system: Adaptogen tonic to the ANS, Headaches, Insomnia, Migraine, Neuralgia, Motion sickness
Endocrine: Enhances breast milk production
Immune System: Colds / Flu
Reproductive System: Sexual dysfunction, Increases sperm count, Infertility
Ears: Earache.
Skin: Bites, Stings, Fungal and Bacterial Skin infections, Acne.
Infections:
Bacteria: Enterococcus, E. coli, Mycobacteria, MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus / citreus/ epidermis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella, Mycoplasma tuberculosis.
Fungi: Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Candida, Tinea, Trichophyton mentagrophytes.
Parasites: Filaria, Plasmodium falciparum / Malaria.
More About Holy Basil
Tulsi and Basil are two kinds of leaves that are often confused as one and the same. Strictly speaking, they are two different leaves meant for different purposes. Tulsi is called Ocimum sanctum and is an aromatic plant with its leaves being highly scented.
Basil on the other hand is known as Ocimum basilicum/Sweet Basil and is mainly used as a flavouring agent in culinary applications.
Tulsi is native to India and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for well over 5,000 years. It is the most sacred of plants in Hinduism, essential in the ritual worship of Vishnu and Krishna. A tea of the leaves is often given to the dying to guide their soul from this world to the next. The wood of the tulsi plant is used in the making of mala beads which are used in meditation and prayer.
There are strict rules for harvesting tulsi leaves, and forgiveness from the plant must be asked first. The powder of the root in milk, ghee, or as a decoction was a treatment for malarial fever, bug bites, and to increase sexual stamina.
It has also been used traditionally to remedy the cognitive effects of excessive cannabis use. The seeds mixed with water, juice, or milk was a traditional remedy for low energy and stomach/digestive problems.
It relieves spasms in the colon, eases wind and reduces bloating. It can balance hyperacidity and increase the production of the mucous layer.
The expectorant action can clear catarrh, reduce fevers and help in cases of sore throats and infections.
Holy basil has a blood sugar balancing effect and can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
The diuretic action helps with cystitis and UTI’s.
Holy Basil is effective against Candida, E. Coli, Staph. Aureus, ASpergillus, Mycoplasma tuberculosis.
Roast whole herbs in a 180 degree oven for 5-7 minutes, cool and run through a coffee grinder to a coarse powder. To this, add about the same amount of dried, crushed tulsi. Keep in an airtight jar, or fill tea bags with the mixture (about 1 TBSP per bag). Add 1 TBSP to 8 oz. warmed coconut milk and sweetened with honey or maple syrup to taste. Optional: add powdered turmeric to the blend to make a golden tulsi chai!
Recipes:
Tulsi Tea (Holy Basil Tea)
Ingredients:
-
1 tsp tulsi leaves, fresh or ½ tsp dried
-
1½ cups water
-
1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions:
-
Boil water over high heat.
-
Add the tulsi leaves and cook on a medium flame for 10 to 15 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
-
Strain the water using a strainer. Add the lemon juice and honey, mix well.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Holy Basil Pesto
Ingredients:
-
470g of Holy basil leaves fresh
-
1 Garlic clove crushed or finely minced
-
1 pinch Sea salt
-
½ cup Parmesan cheese grated or substitute nutritional yeast for dairy free option
-
½ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Pine nuts or substitute walnuts
Instructions:
-
Add basil leaves, garlic, and salt to the bowl of your food processor.
-
Using the S-blade, pulse until a paste begins to form. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the food processor bowl to incorporate all the ingredients well.
-
Add the Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast) and pulse again to incorporate.
-
Then, with the food processor running, pour in the olive oil in a thin, steady stream.
- Finally, add the pine nuts and continue processing until the pesto is a smooth desirable texture
TULSI CHAI- for immunity and circulation
Ingredients:
-
4 parts cardamom
-
1 part black peppercorn
-
6 parts fennel seed
-
1 part coriander
-
2 parts whole cloves
-
12 parts cinnamon chips
- 9 parts dried ginger root
Roast whole herbs in a 180 degree oven for 5-7 minutes, cool and run through a coffee grinder to a coarse powder.
To this, add about the same amount of dried, crushed tulsi. Keep in an airtight jar, or fill tea bags with the mixture (about 1 TBSP per bag).
Add 1 TBSP to 8 oz. warmed coconut milk and sweetened with honey or maple syrup to taste. Optional: add powdered turmeric to the blend to make a golden tulsi chai!
References
Pneumonia
The holy basil administration diminishes the NF-kB expression and protects alveolar epithelial cells from pneumonia infection through interferon gamma
Our results suggest that basil significantly reduced cell death in the setting of KP infection, likely via attenuation of cytokine and IFN-γ mediated signaling pathways. Holy basil is a promising therapeutic agent for managing and treating bacterial pneumonia based on its potency.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35233841/
Epilepsy/Chronic seizures
An interaction study of Ocimum sanctum L. and levetiracetam in pentylenetetrazole kindling model of epilepsy
Ocimum per se and combination with levetiracetam treatment exerted better seizure control, memory retention, oxidative stress reduction, and neuronal structure preservation than kindling control group.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31739106/
Leukemic cell lines
Effect of Ocimum sanctum extract on leukemic cell lines: A preliminary in-vitro study
Both dry and aqueous extracts of both types of Tulsi leaves demonstrated a significant amount of cytotoxicity against the studied cell lines.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32508455/
Anti-candidal
Anti-candidal Effect of Ocimum sanctum: A Systematic Review on Microbial Studies
All studies demonstrated the effective anticandidal property of O. sanctum, suggesting its possible use as an effective and affordable "adjunct" along with standard care for systemic and topical candidal infections.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35677004/
Head and neck cancer cell lines
Ethanolic Extract of Ocimum sanctum Leaves Reduced Invasion and Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity of Head and Neck Cancer Cell Lines.
EEOS exerted its anti-invasive effect on HNSCC cells by attenuating MMP activity. The active compounds identified in EEOS might be promising as an alternative therapeutic agent for HNSCC.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32102512/