Herb Profile: Tulsi

Tulsi, Holy Basil, Sacred Basil, Tulsi Ocimum spp

Loved for its divine aroma, tulsi is powerful medicine. Tulsi is native to India where it’s able to grow abundantly year round and where it is part of spiritual rituals and daily practices supporting a wide array of health benefits.  Tulsi is considered to be a tonic for the body, mind and spirit. 

Tulsi has an ability to work on both the sympathetic & parasympathetic nervous system; therefore supportive both for focusing the mind and for relaxation. 

The pungent flavor of tulsi lends to its use as a carminative that stimulates appetite and digestion. This pungency is warming and moving, helping to move excess heat from the bloodstream and liver as well as opening up the skin & lungs. Tulsi’s opening affect on the lungs removes mucus & makes the plant a useful medicine for cold and flus & acute respiratory conditions. Tulsi is great as a daily tonic or simply as a tea time beverage, as the aroma has a way of putting a smile on everyone’s face!

 We grow three varieties of tulsi: temperate, rama and vana. We love to combine all three for teas, and we offer a tea blend called Tulsi Trio where we have combined them for you. 

Tastewise - vana and rama are higher in eugenol oil which has a strong clove flavor while the temperate variety has a stronger fruit flavor (sometimes referred to as tutti-frutti). You can learn more about the differences at Strictly Medicinal. 

Preparations

Tulsi makes a divine and delicious aromatic tea either fresh or dry. Drink simple tulsi tea or try with other calmative nervines such as lemon balm, skullcap, oats and rose.

Try adding fresh tulsi leaves to your salads.

Makes a great tincture and delicious glycerine.

Infuse into oil to use as a perfume. Simply dab some on the wrists and neck or use a perfume roller.

Tulsi infused honeys makes the perfect addition to your teas or as a drizzle on desserts.

Cautions/Contraindications

Generally considered to be safe. Always check with a healthcare practicioner prior to using an herbal products.