20 Things You Need to Know About Holy Basil

1. Adaptogens have been used to aid meditation and deliver nutrients to the mind that are necessary for the experience of enlivened consciousness. They can be used as aids to elevate the mood and spirit and to calm the mind. The following adaptogens have been used to enhance the mind-body-spirit connection: Asian ginseng, holy basil, licorice, reishi, and shatavari.
   
   - David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief
2. Holy basil also protects against radiation-induced damage in animals that are receiving radiation therapy. A formula of holy basil and vasa leaves (Adbatoda vasica) is used for animals with coughs and colds.
   
   - David Winston, RH (AHG), and Steven Maimes, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief
3. Preliminary studies indicate that holy basil might enhance CYP-450 activity, thus speeding up the elimination of some medications. There have been many animal studies indicating that holy basil has anti-stress and immunomodulating activity. However, there have not been any human studies confirming this.
   
   - David Winston, RH (AHG), and Steven Maimes, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief
4. The whole holy basil plant is used by farmers for animals with inflammation of the tongue, ulcers, pneumonia, constipation, liver flukes, opacity of the cornea and sore eyes (the fresh juice is squeezed into the animal's eye), rapid heartbeat, and sprains. The leaves are used for cows and sheep with coughs, colds, udder infections, and for wound healing.
   
   - David Winston, RH (AHG), and Steven Maimes, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief
5. A decoction made from the [holy basil] root is used to lower malarial fevers, and a poultice made from the fresh roots and leaves is applied to bites and stings from wasps, bees, mosquitoes, ants, and other insects as well as leeches.
   
   - David Winston, RH (AHG), and Steven Maimes, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief
6. Holy basil affects the body's "energy field" according to ayurvedic physician and author Dr. Vasant Lad. Ayurvedic tradition says that holy basil performs the indispensable spiritual function of balancing and toning the energetic chakra system. Holy basil opens the heart and the mind, bestowing the energy of love and devotion (bhakti). Sacred to Vishnu and Krishna, it strengthens faith, compassion and clarity.
   
   - David Winston, RH (AHG), and Steven Maimes, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief
7. Basil is pungent, heating, balances K and V, and unbalances P if taken in excess. Basil is said to open the heart and mind to the Divine. There are a variety of basil plants. The most famous basil is called tulsi, or holy basil, in India. There it is said to have an association with Lord Vishnu that dates back to Vedic times. Holy basil juice is said to be a longevity drink. Good for all seasons, but less in the summer.
   
   - Gabriel Cousens, M.D., Conscious Eating
8. Holy basil [is] widely cultivated for daily use. There are at least three types of holy basil. The green-leafed variety sri or rama tulsi is the most common. The second type, Krishna tulsi, bears dark-green to purple leaves; this variety has a stronger taste and smell. The third type, vana tulsi, is a green-leafed forest variety that often grows wild.
   
   - David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief
9. Tulsi is the name for Sacred or Holy basil in India and translates to "incomparable one." Native to India, Tulsi has been revered for over 5,000 years, and as Yash Rai in his book Tulsi says, "The Hindu scriptures enjoin us to look upon Tulsi not as a mere plant, but as the divine representative of the God Vishnu or of Lord Krishna." In other texts Tulsi is described as a consort of Krishna, leading to the name "Mother of the Universe." Because of the divine nature of Sacred basil, the plant itself is worshipped both in the morning and at night by leaving a lamp burning at its base.
   
   - Pam Montgomery, Plant Spirit Healing: A Guide to Working with Plant Consciousness
10. Tulsi means "matchless," and the herb has very important medicinal properties - notably its ability to reduce blood sugar levels. In Indian herbal medicine, holy basil has a wide range of uses, relieving fevers, bronchitis, asthma, stress, and canker sores."
    
    - Andrew Chevallier, The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
11. Though related to common basil, holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) is a different species. Animal experiments have found that its leaves can reduce fasting and post meal glucose levels. An Indian study of 17 diabetics found that 1 gram of holy basil leaf reduced fasting glucose levels by 20.8 percent. In addition, cholesterol levels went down by 11 percent and triglyceride by 16 percent. If you have needed an excuse to use less salt and pepper and to increase your use of more flavorful culinary herbs and spices, consider their glucose-lowering properties.
    
    - Jack Challem, Burton Berkson, Melissa Diane Smith, Syndrome X: The Complete Nutritional Program to Prevent and Reverse Insulin Resistance
12. Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) is used to improve digestion, relieve flatulence, and reduce allergic response. It is used to treat animals with diabetes when combined with dang shen, jiaogulan, and licorice.
    
    - David Winston, RH (AHG), and Steven Maimes, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief
13. Ocimum sanctum, otherwise known as holy basil, contains phytonutrients that have "significant COX-2 inhibitory effect." The phytonutrient "ursolic acid" is specifically recognized for its COX-2 inhibitory effects. In research conducted at the Dartmouth Medical School, a study confirmed that derivatives of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid possessed potential anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventing activity related to their inhibition of COX-2.
    
    - Thomas M. Newmark and Paul Schulick, BEYOND ASPIRIN Nature's Answer To Arthritis, Cancer & Alzheimer's Disease
14. Holy basil appears to lower stress and cortisol levels. A Thai derivative is known as bai gkaprow.
    
    - Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements
15. Holy basil is rarely used fresh but mostly cooked to release the flavours (as an ingredient of fish, poultry and meat dishes), [to be] used in small amounts only.
    
    - Ben-Erik van Wyk, Food Plants of the World: An illustrated guide
16. Tulsi Tea: Pour 8 ounces hot water over 1 teaspoon dried holy basil leaf (or Tea bag). Infuse (covered) for 3 or more minutes.
    
    - David Winston, RH (AHG), and Steven Maimes, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief
17. Zyflamend's pharmacopoeia of herbs includes the following: Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects in animal studies. It inhibits the formation of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids made from arachidonic acid by the action of COX and LO enzymes. It contains ursolic acid, a known inhibitor of COX-2, and many other antioxidant, anti-inflammatory substances, including eugenol, rosmarinic acid and apigenin.
    
    - Freedom Press, Natural Cancer Cures: The Definitive Guide to Using Dietary Supplements to Fight and Prevent Cancer
18. Holy basil: where there's stress, there should be holy basil. We need as much balance in life as possible, and holy basil helps.
    
    - Thomas M. Newmark and Paul Schulick, BEYOND ASPIRIN Nature's Answer To Arthritis, Cancer & Alzheimer's Disease
19. In Indian folk medicine, the leaves of the holy basil plant are brewed in a tea that is used as an expectorant to treat people with excessive bronchial mucus and bronchitis. The tea also is used for people with upset stomach, biliouness, and vomiting. The powdered/dried leaves have been used as a snuff for nasal congestion, and the juice of the fresh leaf is put in the ear for earaches.
    
    - David Winston, RH (AHG), and Steven Maimes, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief
20. There have been contradictory animal studies showing that holy basil might be toxic to embryos. Until conclusive information exists, avoid using it during pregnancy. Holy basil also is reported to have an anti-fertility effect and should be avoided if a woman is trying to get pregnant.
    
    - David Winston, RH (AHG), and Steven Maimes, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief

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