Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Tulsi, another name used for holy basil, has a rich history that begins 3000 years ago, in the eastern lands. Mentioned in the Rig Veda around 1500 B.C., the sacred character of holy basil has been glorified in the Puranas and is highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine. Find out what benefits tulsi has and how it can be consumed.

Tulsi is believed to be native to tropical Asia, although it now grows in many tropical climates around the globe. Traditionally used in these regions due to its medicinal properties, holy basil leaves are considered in most countries as adaptogens (anti-stress agents) and are widely used to promote health throughout the body.

 

---

Acne

Widely used in skin care, a team of researchers in Thailand initiated a study to determine the effectiveness of holy basil essential oils against acne-causing bacteria. Thus testing its antimicrobial capacity, they discovered that a 3.0% concentration of holy basil oil is the most effective against the bacteria that cause acne.
 

Cancer

Last year, the journal Nutrition and Cancer published an amazing review highlighting the plethora of research demonstrating tulsi basil's ability to kill cancer, as seen in recent years. Here are the conclusions:

Tulsi basil possesses impressive anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating properties that fight fever, pain, stress and protect vital organs such as the liver. Consequently, people who regularly consume tulsi are less likely to have a weakened immune system and are less likely to develop cancer.

 

Diabetes

Since the mid-1990s, tulsi basil's ability to control blood glucose has been widely reported. For example, to test its ability to keep diabetes under control and even determine reversible effects, researchers from the Azad University of Agriculture and Technology (India) evaluated the effects that holy basil leaves have on rats.
 

Hormones and thyroid

In addition to its beneficial effects on diabetes by keeping blood sugar under control, an article published in Die Pharmazie ("Pharmacy" in German) describes that the hypoglycemic effects of holy basil may be due to its ability to regulate cortisol levels.