Considered sacred by practitioners of Hinduism, holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum or tulsi) has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine, the 5,000-year-old medical system in India. It is deemed a rasayana herb, promoting long life. It is also said to be a protector of creation, love, and mercy. Practicing Hindus use holy basil in meditation rituals and prayer, and ingest the herb to bring energy and purity into the body and mind.
Holy basil is an adaptogen. An adaptogen is any herb that assists the body in being more resilient to stress – physical, mental, or emotional. Adaptogens reduce the effects of stress by helping to shield and protect the nerves. The beauty of this particular herb is that it can soothe anxiety and the stress response without making you drowsy during the day, but also calms you enough to sleep deeply at night.
Some of the many benefits of holy basil:
Effects on body: Antioxidant; anti-inflammation; muscle relaxant; calms coughs; eases pain of bites & stings
Effects on mind & spirit: Soothing; calming; anti-stress; antidepressant; anxiety relief; courage-inducing; represents harmony, happiness, purity, serenity, luck, and good healthJust pure happiness in a bottle!
Ways to use holy basil:
In a tincture - Tinctures are liquid extracts made from herbs that you take orally (by mouth). Because they are concentrated, small doses provide desired medicinal benefits
Oil extract - The essence of the plant is extracted using coconut oil and meant for external use. It is used medicinally by applying on the skin for burns, rashes, scrapes, and to help with inflammation in the underlying tissue.
Hydrosol - Hydrosols are the water that comes from steam distilling the plants and have a variety of uses. It makes a lovely spritzer on the skin.
Tea – Fresh or dried leaves from plant, steeped in hot water.For all these reasons and more, you can see why we love holy basil so much.
Highly medicinal and super safe for everyone, holy basil is our choice of herbal medicine for our everyday needs!
With Love,
A&O