Ingredient Spotlight: Holy Basil
Holy basil, otherwise known as tulsi, is an aromatic shrub with a light lemon scent and purple-pink flowers and originated in north-central India. It has a rich Ayurvedic history dating back 3,000 years and was historically used as medicine due to its universal therapeutic power. Now, holy basil leaves are regarded by most countries as adaptogens (anti-stress agents) and are a natural herbal remedy for the entire body, more particularly to relieve anxiety, asthma, fever, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, boost immunity and protect against diabetes.
Holy basil is a good source of Vitamin K which is an essential fat-soluble vitamin important in bone and heart health. One cup of tulsi leaves has more than your daily recommended dose of vitamin K. Plus, vitamin K can be beneficial to your digestive health, brain, and eye health.
Known to help to restore peace of mind, Holy Basil is traditionally used to get to the root of a Mind-Spirit illness--in a way pharmaceuticals and other methods often can’t.
As an adaptogen with anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants, Holy basil helps the body detox and the amazing ability to keep hormone levels balanced naturally. “The Elixir of Life” has been shown to boost the body’s overall health in many ways including protecting against infection (even cancer) and treat wounds, lower blood sugar and cholesterol, ease joint pain, boost memory, improve mental clarity, protect the stomach, and can even help with arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Though not to be confused with the typical basil used in a marinara sauce, Tulsi leaves are also used in cooking as they are spicy and bitter, and some people even eat the leaves raw. You can also buy dried tulsi leaves and steep for a tasty tea--hot or iced--or use in powder, capsule, and essential oil form. In fact, you can diffuse oil for a calming and immune-boosting. By taking advantage of many of these varieties, you can only reap the full holy basil benefits so it would do you well to make this ‘queen of herbs’ part of your normal routine. Finally, in India, Tulsi tea is consumed in place of coffee, so grab an Amrita Chai in the morning and a Holy Water in the afternoon and keep your system calm and running smoothly.













