Nutritional Benefits of Holy Basil

Holy basil, Ocimum Sanctum, or called as tulsi in South Asia is an aromatic plant of the family Lamiaceae. Tulsi is a small shrub that is 30 to 60 cm tall, which has multiple branches with hairy stems. The stems and leaves of this shrub is green to purple in color and has a strong scent when squeezed. The leaves are oval in shape around 5 cm in length and usually toothed. The distinct feature of this plant is the presence of purplish to white elongated flowers at the tip of each branch. Holy basil plant is more commonly found in South Asia, South East Asia, and Africa.

Holy Basil Plant

There are 2 important varieties of Holy basil plan, the green leaved variety a.k.a. Lakshmi Tulasi and purple leaved variety a.k.a. Krishna Tulasi. Tulsi is used as a medicinal plant in South Asia. It also has religious implications and used across South Asia for religious rituals and traditional worship. Tulsi is grown in front of homes and in special pots for ritual purposes. It is also used for its oil, tulsi oil and as an ingredient in Tea, the latter which is common in some homes, adding Tulsi to tea improves its medicinal properties.

Holy basil flower

 

Chemical Constituents of Holy Basil:

The main chemical constituents of holy basil are oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, β-caryophyllene (about 8%), β-elemene (11.0%), and germacrene D (about 2%) (wikipedia).

Uses of Holy Basil:

Ayurvedic Uses: Holy basil is considered as an adaptogen, balancing various processes that occur in the body, thus adapting with stress. Because of the strong smell and astringent taste, it is considered as an elixir of life and believed to promote longevity. Tulsi extracts are used in ayurvedic preparations because of its properties in treating different ailments. Tulsi leaves are often used either as whole, dried and powdered, or added in ghee to be used as an ingredient in various medications. Tulsi is also used as an insect repellent as dried tulsi leaves are mixed with grains during storage to repel insects. It is also used as a mosquito repellent.

Fever: Tulsi has germicidal, fungicidal, and antibacterial properties which helps in relieving fevers.  A decoction made of Tulsi leaves mixed with cardamom and tea is useful for the treatment of fevers. Ocimum sanctum extracts have been reported to have some antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.

Respiratory Conditions: Holy basil has an immune modulatory function. It also has antitussive and expectorant properties. It helps to relieve cough, cold, and other respiratory disorders. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties also helps in preventing respiratory illnesses.

Diabetes: Tulsi leaves contain antioxidants and essential oils such as eugenol, β-caryophyllene etc. which collectively helps the pancreatic beta cells to function normally. This helps to increase the sensitivity of these cells to insulin, which lowers blood sugar.

Inflammatory Diseases: The presence of antioxidants in the tulsi leaves helps prevent the oxidation of free radicals in the tissues, thus controlling the inflammatory process. It also relieves from painful conditions. Tulasi contain eugenol, which may be a COX-2 inhibitor which reduces the perception of pain.

Hypertension: Tulsi contain the powerful antioxidant eugenol, which helps to maintain the blood pressure by lowering cholesterol and promoting vascular integrity.

Stressful Conditions: Tulsi helps to maintain the normal levels of stress hormone cortisol in the body. It has powerful adaptogen properties that helps to sooth the nerves, regulates circulation, and scavenge the free radicals produced during oxidative stress.

Kidney Stones: Holy basil helps reduce the uric acid levels in blood.  Presence of uric acid in blood causes kidney stones. The acetic acid and other compounds present in holy basil helps to break down the kidney stones.

Skin: When holy basil leaves are crushed and the paste applied to the skin, there is a soothing and cleansing effect to the skin. Due to the antibacterial and anti-fungal effects, it helps to prevent acne, ring worms, and other skin conditions. It also helps to reduce abnormal scalp conditions and hair fall.

Tulsi Tea
Holi basil mixed with tea is an important drink and is called as Tulsi Tea. Tulsi Tea has many beneficial properties which helps in achieving relief from the above mentioned medical conditions. It potentiates the beneficial properties of both holy basil along with the properties of Tea.