Ocimum spp (holy basil)
Ahhh holy basil (aka as tulsi!), how versatile and tasty you are. Ever since my first taste and smell of trying this renowned healing herb, I was hooked. During my blind tastings in college, I distinctly remember how instantly uplifted and joyous my heart felt when I came into contact with this herb. Tulsi means “the incomparable one”, and I totally understand why, so let me tell you!
There are many different varieties of Holy Basil, my favourite being the one we learned most about in college being “ocimum sanctum” (the Rama variety). It is the more mild one with sweet green leaves, while other varieties like krishna is more spicy, or vana more robust. My suppliers mix 3 varieties so you can a bit of all of that!
Spiritual benefits:
In India, Tulsi is known to be a very sacred plant, hence the name “holy basil”. It is said that being around the energy of this plant, it can help dispel demons from the mind.. helping to clear the mind. It is for this reason that it is used for meditative purposes! I am someone who believes when depression takes ahold, there is an inner demon that is trying to be processed and integrated, and by consuming holy basil, it helps to calm the body, protect the heart space, and clear the mind so that you can actually meet your inner shadow with peace rather than separation. By integration, you help to alchemize the negative energy into something entirely new, and there you enter the next phase of your spiritual journey.
Medicinal Benefits:
Many of the benefits, coincide with the spiritual properties of the plant (you wouldn’t sayyyy!). This plant can help with brain fog, depression, cardiovascular issues, and anxiety. But lets get into some of the main uses that I always return back to this plant!!:
Adaptogen
An adaptogen is a herbal action that balances the HPA axis (hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal axis). This is your hormone signalling cascade that helps to regulate your energy levels, stress levels, immune system, and hormonal system. When anyone goes through periods of long term stress (either physical or emotional), this axis is the first to be disrupted. When this happens for too long, many issues can arise such as higher bodily inflammation, chronic fight or flight responses, chronic illnesses, and hormonal issues. Holy basil directly works on this axis when taken at a consistent and high enough daily dose over an extended amount of time. Most (if not all) disease normally originates from a period of long term stress that has not been fully dealt with, so adaptogens are commonly used in most formulas for recovery. Each herbal adaptogen has its own unique actions, and an adaptogen is normally chosen for a formula where its primary actions further support the other symptoms the patient is having. Below are some of holy basils unique actions:
Blood Sugar Regulator/Lipid Regulator/Hypotensive
Holy basil is unique in the fact that it is great at regulating blood sugar! Many times when someone is going through long term stress, they aren’t eating at regular times throughout the day, or, they are not eating the best diet. This can cause blood sugar dysregulation and actually feed more into the chronic stress. I will choose Holy Basil in many cardiovascular, nervous system, or hormonal (mainly PCOS) formulas for that reason. In addition, it may help to lower blood pressure and regulate cholesterol levels! For those who are of the “Vata” constitution in Ayuruvdic medicine, tulsi is commonly taken to help alleviate congestion to the heart muscle– which can be common for a “Vata” type.
Nervine Tonic
In herbal medicine, there are certain “tonics” that are known to overall help to rebuild that indicative system. Holy basil is classified as a “Nervine Tonic”, helping to rebalance a fried nervous system. You know the one, the type that jumps at the littlest of noises or has a freak out at a tiny inconvenience. For those who have been stuck in fight or flight for too long, holy basil will come in and re-nourish your system. This is why I put it in my “Adrenal Tonic” and “Winter Blues Support” teas. From the first sip of a tulsi tea, you instantly feel this huge release through your entire system, your mind starts to clear, and your mood slightly lifts, moving you more into a meditative state. With daily consistent use, this herb can do wonders in regulating your nervous system back to rest and digest. Speaking of digest, read below for the next unique action:
Carminative/Aromatic Bitter/Anti-inflammatory/Anthelmintic/Anti-Spasmodic
Holy Basil has so many of the qualities that could make it a “digestive tonic”, but it isn’t officially labelled that. Because it works strongly on the nervous system and HPA stress axis, it helps calm the body so it can move more into a rest and digest state. On top of that, it is known as a “carminative”, which is an herbal action that helps dispel bloating and cramps by its aromatic compounds. It is known as an “Anti-Spasmodic”, which means it helps relax the tissues in the body (especially in the digestive tract” so that you aren’t clenching and allowing food to be properly broken down, absorbed, and moved through the body. Its’ aromatic bitter action helps to support liver function, helping to speed up metabolism, support in digesting fats/proteins, and aid in processing hormones. Since most people with chronic stress likely have high inflammation, it can help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. A bonus, is it has an anthelmintic action (which means it helps dispel worms from the body). A happy gut is a happy mind! Both must be treated!! It is for this reason I have added it into my “Tummy Love Tonic” tea.
Anti-Viral/Diaphoretic/Febrifuge/Antiseptic/Anti-Microbial/Expectorant
These actions aren’t as well known about Holy Basil, but it is actually GREAT for the immune system. It acts as a strong anti-viral, helping you to fight off and protect yourself from viral infections. If you get a fever, it helps to promote sweating to break the fever and then reduce the fever. If you have a bacterial infection it can help you to fight that off as well. I am sure you have heard the term “Deli Belly”, from those who aren’t from India who go there to travel and end up getting food poisoning.. well it is great that this herb is widely used there as drinking this everyday may help prevent that! It is also known as an “expectorant”, which means it can help stimulate the cough reflex so that you can get rid of that mucousy flem in the lungs.
Summary:
So as you can tell, a lot of these actions line up with the spiritual actions of this plant. It has a cleansing quality to it, helping to process and then dispel inner demons (like its anti-worm, anti-microbial, expectorant, diaphoretic, and anti viral actions). Its strong nervous system regulating qualities help to bring you into a meditative state, while its cardiovascular benefits help to keep your heart space open and protected.
Book into a consult:
To learn if Holy Basil could be the right herb for you, or, if you are dealing with any of these issues mentioned, think about booking into a consult with me! We will thoroughly go over all health issues in the past and present, family history, and spiritual/emotional health to come up with a herbal formula tailored for your own unique imbalance.
**Disclaimer — please consult your doctor or work with a certified herbalist (AKA me *~) to see if Holy Basil could be right for you!
