Holy Basil's Benefits

I happened to catch the Dr. Oz show today right when they were discussing the benefits of Holy Basil.
Just last week my two children and I have all started to drink tea made from Holy Basil.
I had actually ordered this tea last summer but it has taken me this long to get to drinking it daily.

It's a very pleasant tasting tea. One that the kids enjoyed brewed strong.

I like to approach new herbs and teas slowly having had many a reaction in the past to trying to clean out too quickly.
So I have been drinking a cup of Tulsi tea here and there when I remember, for the past six months now. Just lately I have gotten into the routine of drinking it daily. As a matter of fact I am sitting here sipping a cup right now actually!
It is soothing and calming.
I ordered my first Tulsi online in bulk- 8 oz for making tea. The company offered free shipping over $100 and they were just two hours down the road from me. Also they had a great price, which is probably why they are out of stock at the moment it looks like. So don't go rushing to buy your Tulsi at Upaya Naturals (not affiliated). Just sharing where I got my supply from.

Being new to this I have been doing some research and so thought I would share it with you.

The following is a part of the article from the link: http://www.healthbooksummaries.com/20_Things_You_Need_to_Know_About_Holy_Basil.html

'Tulsi is an adaptagen similar in some ways to ginseng, licorice, reishi and shatavari.'

- David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief

Holy basil 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

"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

'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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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