Holy Basil: The Incomparable One

Holy Basil, the sacred herb...
Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi, is sacred and a principle herb in the Indian system of Ayurvedic medicine. In the ancient scriptures the Padma purana and the Tulsi Kavacham, Tulsi is described as a protector of life (1). Tulsi is also called "The Queen of Herbs" in India.

Holy Basil is held in such high esteem in Ayurveda that everyday use is encouraged. The ancient rishis integrated the use of Tulsi into daily life by incorporating it in religious rituals (1). The holy basil plant is sacred in India and is venerated daily by Hindus who usually have a potted plant in the home.

From ancient teaching to modern science...

Holy Basil is said to balance the chakras, or the energy vortexes of the body. The chakra system of Ayurveda, an idea similar to the meridian system of Tradtional Chinese Medicine, can become unbalanced or contain blockages which prevent the flow of energy from chakra to chakra. When blockages exist, mental, physical, and spiritual health is diminished. Tulsi is also said to calm the mind and body(1).

Scientific research is proving what the ancients knew to be true about this amazing herb. Holy Basil is classified as an adaptogen. "An adaptogen is an herb that is used to increase the body's resistance to stress, trauma, anxiety and fatigue," (2). Holy Basil, and other adaptogens, are "nontoxic in normal doses, produce a general defensive response against stress, and have a normalizing influence on the body. Adaptogens balance the systems of the body (maintain homeostasis)," (2). Just as the ancients recongnized the ability of Tulsi to balance the charkas, scientists are now recognizing the ability of the herb to balance the systems of the body represented by the chakras.

Holy Basil has been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels result from stress, whether physical or mental in nature as the body does not physiologically differentiate stress. Just as the ancients knew that Tulsi calms the mind and body, scientists now know that by lowering cortisol levels in the body, that Holy Basil can help to relieve stress and anxiety.

The Incomparable One…

Holy Basil is a cure-all of sorts in Ayurveda. Tulsi is used to treat everything from colds and flu to digestive upset and bloating (3). The plant is cleansing to the respiratory tract and protects cells from radiation. The oil of the plant has antiseptic qualities and protects against disease caused by bacteria, fungi, and parasites (3).

I agree that Holy Basil is the incomparable one. Of all of the herbs used in Ayurveda, Tulsi is my favorite. I drink Tulsi tea on a daily basis and take a holy basil tincture when I am under great stress. I notice a calming, normalizing effect on my physical body and over my emotions. Holy basil makes me feel balanced and uplifted in the face of stress and anxiety. I recommend dinking holy basil tea daily. Organic India makes a wonderful line of Tulsi teas. They are all organic and come in many delicious flavors. I also recommend taking a high quality tincture. Two excellent formulas containing holy basil are Shen Formula and Ganges Dream, both by Jing Masters.


1. "Holy Basil", http://www.organicindia.com/tulsi-holy-basil.php
2. "Lost Secrets of the Ancients: Adaptogens", Brennan, Erin, http://erinbrennan.blogspot.com/2008/12/lost-secret-of-ancients-ada...
3. "Tulsi (Holy Basil)", http://www.chopra.com/tulsi