Talking about holy basil benefits, you could not have grown up in an Asian household without your grandma offering you juice made from leaves of holy basil every time you came down with a cough and cold or fought a blocked nasal cavity. As a form of expressing gratitude, the holy basil is addressed as Mother Tulsi in the Indian subcontinent, for its many blessings for humankind. Holy basil or Ocimum teniuflorum or Tulsi holds a pride of place in Ayurvedic pharmacopeia for its ability to support physical well-being; support mental clarity; support a healthy response to stress as a powerful adaptogen; support the body's natural cleansing processes; enrich any cuisine it is added to; and purify the soul, according to the orientalists.
An aromatic herb that has been in use for thousands of years for supporting respiratory, digestive, and mental well-being related to Vata and Kapha imbalance, has more recently caught the fancy of researchers, who are now studying the wide-ranging uses of holy basil for health, wellness, and cosmetic purposes. Let us see what top research studies are saying about the prolific benefits of tulsi or holy basil.
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This bitter-tasting member of the mint family originally grew in Southeast Asia and combines within it qualities of an excellent culinary herb, time-honored wellness properties, and a sweet heady aroma.
According to Ayurveda, tulsi balances Kapha (earth and water element) and vata dosha (air and ether elements), by drying out excess Kapha and penetrating deeply into tissues. Consuming tulsi daily is traditionally said to support overall health, brighten your skin tone, and give mental peace, and it is valued in Ayurveda for supporting a calm mood, digestive comfort, respiratory wellness, joint comfort, and healthy-looking skin, among others.
1. Holy basil benefit: A powerful adaptogen
Not just physical and mental, but Tulasi is also said to counter metabolic and even chemical stress that our body undergoes due to exposure to industrial pollutants and toxic chemicals, some of which can cause severe endocrine disruptions.
Metabolic syndrome or pre-diabetes ails almost one-third of the world population, with the growing threat of obesity, cholesterol elevation, hypertension, and high glucose levels. Tulsi helps the body cope with metabolic stress and supports healthy glucose metabolism, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels already within the normal range.
The latest research shows, tulasi also lowers physical stress in chronic variable stress settings, by inhibiting the release of stress hormone (cortisol.) Animal studies also showed this basil variety may support a calm mood and a healthy response to stress. It has a positive effect on one’s memory and cognitive function. Studies have also shown, tulsi increases physical endurance in high-stress settings and increases resistance against stress induced by loud sounds. Research also suggests that about 500mg of tulsi leaf extract supported a calm mood and a healthy response to everyday stress.
2. Holy basil benefit: It has ursolic acid, a favorite with the cosmetics industry
A key compound present in tulsi is the triterpenoid ursolic acid, which has recently been used widely in the cosmetic industry for its skin-soothing and cleansing benefits and its use in products that help reduce the appearance of fine lines. Research suggests ursolic acid is rich in antioxidant activity and may support healthy liver function and healthy lipid levels already within the normal range.
3. Holy basil benefit: It has powerful antioxidants
a time-honored herb that supports the body's natural cleansing processes and a healthy response to stress
Studies confirm that Tulasi comes loaded with plenty of important antioxidants and polyphenols like rosmarinic acid, a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from oxidation, damage done by free radicals. It also has carvacrol, which has been studied for its role in supporting healthy immune function, and B-caryophyllene, another compound naturally present in Tulsi.
Tulasi also has eugenol, a key compound that supports a healthy inflammatory response and healthy glucose metabolism already within the normal range. Studies suggest the eugenol present in the tulsi plant helps counter everyday oxidative stress and supports healthy cholesterol levels already within the normal range.
4. Great for gut health
Tulasi is known for its carminative property that is it reduces flatulence. Its phytochemicals support a healthy gut environment and digestive comfort. One of the lesser-known holy basil benefits is, it also supports the body's natural cleansing processes by supporting healthy liver enzyme activity, such as cytochrome P450. Tulsi-infused teas along with ginger are usually known to help improve digestion and regulate appetite. Holy basil has plenty of phenolic compounds that support digestive comfort and a healthy stomach lining, including healthy mucus secretion for aiding digestion.
5. Holy basil benefits: Helps detoxify the body, skin and mind
Thanks to the presence of high phenolic compounds and antioxidants, one of the greatest holy basil benefits is its ability to support the body's natural defenses and cleansing processes. Tulasi is said to support the body's antioxidant defenses by pumping up antioxidants like glutathione and increasing the antioxidant activity of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, to clear off and neutralize free radicals. Like we discussed earlier, tulsi supports the body’s natural detoxification function by supporting the liver function, as the liver processes and metabolizes all the chemicals that enter our body. The free-radical scavenging also helps reduce the visible signs of aging on the skin, helps maintain texture and elasticity of the skin.
6. Stronger immune system
Our immune system is complex and protects the body from the invasion of foreign pathogens in numerous ways. But the immune system can get compromised from exposure to stressors, erroneous lifestyle, chronic stress, and accumulation of toxins or ama.
But several studies have now attested to the immune-boosting properties present in tulasi, as one of the most powerful holy basil benefits. Five clinical studies showed the use of tulsi increased immune response with a higher natural killer and T-helper cells count, after participants took 300 mg of tulsi extract before food, for four weeks. T-helper cells (white blood cells) support the activation of other immune system cells.
In another study, young adult subjects were given tulsi-fortified nutrition bars. The participants reported improved utilization of oxygen reflected in higher VO2 max tests; lower fatigue and healthy immune function.
7. Supports the respiratory function
Another of the holy basil benefits mentioned in Ayurveda is that Tulsi balances Kapha by drying out excess body fluids. For example, it is traditionally used to support clear airways and healthy respiratory function. Chewing tulsi leaves or drinking a few drops of tulsi extract is a time-honored way to support respiratory wellness.
Holy basil benefits are enhanced if you take it as a decoction with honey and ginger which is traditionally used to support respiratory wellness and soothe the throat.
8. Protects the kidneys
Animal studies have also shown, one of the holy basil benefits also is that it may support healthy kidney function. Due to its antioxidant activities, basil extracts have been studied for their role in supporting healthy kidney function.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.