Herbal Tea: Tulsi / Holy Basil

Last Updated: Aug. 31, 2010

Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is the plant Ocimum tenuiflorum, sometimes named Ocimum sanctum. Tulsi is important in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, and the plant also has spiritual significance in Hinduism. It is used both as a seasoning and as an herbal tea. While it can be blended with other herbs, it is frequently consumed as an herbal tea on its own.

Tulsi is usually classified into two varieties, one with green leaves, and another with purple leaves. Another variety of this plant is also used as a seasoning in Thai food; this variety is called Thai holy basil or kha phrao (กะเพรา), and is a different species from the usual "Thai basil" which is a variety of the sweet basil plant Ocimum basilicum. Another species of basil, African basil, Ocimum gratissimum, is sometimes called "Vana Tulsi".

Tulsi is easy to grow and has requirements similar to sweet basil; it likes sun, and can be grown as a perennial in tropical climates and an annual in colder climates.

Medicinal Uses & Health Benefits:

Tulsi has been studied for a wide variety of health uses and purposes; although the research is young and some of it is not fully conclusive, there is evidence that the plant has a wide variety of potential health benefits. Many aspects of its traditional use in Ayurvedic medicine are starting to be validated by studies on rats and mice, and a few on humans. Herbalists classify Tulsi as an adaptogen, an herb that is non-toxic and safe for general use, and that has a normalizing effect on physiology. There are, however, a few potential concerns with the use of this particular plant.

In vitro studies have found evidence that extract of the seed and leaf of tulsi has antiviral properties[1], and stimulates the immune system.[2] A study on rats found that it can protect against liver damage caused by a toxic chemical.[3] A study on mice found an extract of the herb inhibited the progression of breast cancer.[4] In vivo studies on lung cancer cells found that tulsi can induce cell death and suppress the growth of cancer cells.[5] A study on rabbits found that tulsi prevented damage caused by stress, partly due to its antioxidant content.[6]

Holy basil has been used to treat depression and anxiety. A recent human clinical study found that the plant extract had significant effects at treating both depression and generalized anxiety disorders.[7] The plant has also been found in studies on mice to have nootropic properties, aiding memory and preventing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.[8] There is also evidence from studies on rats that the plant can significantly lower blood sugar, both in normal and diabetic rats, justifying its traditional use for treating diabetes. An alcohol extract of holy basil was compared to the drug Tolbutamide, and showed about 70-90% of the same blood-sugar-lowering effect as this drug.[9]

Caution and Health Risks:

Tulsi is able to grow in areas with a high concentration of chromium, which would normally harm most plants; it can accumulate the metal in its leaves to potentially toxic levels. Tulsi grown in polluted areas is thus not safe for human consumption.[10] You can avoid this problem by buying organic tulsi and being familiar with the source of the herb, or by growing your own in soil that you are familiar with. There is some evidence that tulsi can slow blood clotting, with an effect comparable to that of aspirin;[11] it should be used with caution in situations where slowed blood clotting could be harmful, such as before surgery or childbirth.

Listings of this style of tea: (8 including sub-styles - hide sub-styles)

Page 1 of 1 page with 8 results:

: Fair Trade | : Organic | : Caffeine Free | : Decaffeinated

Leaf: Loose | Teabag | Sachet | Bloom | Compressed

	Tea:	Brand:	Region:	# Ratings:
	BH02: Holy Basil Purple Leaf	Upton Tea Imports	India	3
	BH06: Holy Basil Green Leaf	Upton Tea Imports	India	1
	Tulsi Original Herbal Tea	Organic India	India	0
	Original Tulsi Tea	Organic India	India	0
	Rama Tulsi Tea	Organic India	India	0
	Krishna Tulsi Tea	Organic India	India	0
	Tulsi (Holy Basil)	Shanti Tea	India	0
	Holy Basil (Tulsi)	Mountain Rose Herbs	?????	1

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