If you are like me, I have favorite teas. Tulsi tea with a little lemon and ginger is one of those great teas that help me de-stress and putting one foot in front of the other when I feel overwhelmed. Tulsi, commonly known as holy basil, is a treasured sacred medicinal plant of India. It’s known to ease pain, improve breathing (like for asthma), and reduce inflammation. It is a strong antioxidant too.
It has been studied for it’s ability to support men with prostate cancer, so don’t dismiss this powerful herb. Candida is another biggie, a lot of people suffer with gastrointestinal problems, yeast overgrowth, thrush, vaginal candidiasis and more, all the a result of candida infections! Conventional pharmacists dispense “azole” prescriptions per physician orders, but those drugs (ie ketoconazole, iatroconazole and others) can induce resistance. Here’s where holy basil fits in. It helps in a synergistic ways! In a 2018 STUDY, researchers found that using holy basil with the drug could help fight candida-related fungal infections better than the drug alone (which had caused resistance). And then there’s stress…
I don’t know about you, but I feel like we have more stress nowadays than we did 20 years ago.
The stress may be mental, emotional, behavioral or physical pain. The stress can be so overwhelming that maybe at times, you don’t even feel like you can cope with your situation. As a result, you may feel beat up, burned out, tense, irritated, overwhelmed, foggy in the brain or just plain mad. You may not (probably don’t) sleep well either. If I’ve described you, then it’s safe to say you need some kind of stress soother before illness develops. Holy basil may just be what you need, but don’t take my word for it, let’s look at some science.
Holy Basil has a stabilizing effect on blood sugar and cholesterol ratios according to some research.* Animal models have shown benefits to post-prandial blood glucose levels and fasting blood glucose. Because of its remarkable effect on cortisol secretion, glucose regulation and lipids, holy basil is one of the star ingredients in my custom formulas called GlucoScript for designed to maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels.* It is protective to the liver as well. As an aside, this herb has demonstrated antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties.* This makes Holy Basil tea, herbal supplements and so forth, particularly useful if you’re concerned about neuropathy-induced wounds, gangreen and decubitus ulcers.
Researchers studied holy basil’s effect on stress reduction in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 158 highly stressed individuals. Participants had the classic symptoms like frequent headaches, exhaustion, heart palpitations, gastrointestinal problems, irritability, and a habit of avoiding people; they also reported insomnia, forgetfulness and low sex drive.
Half the group received 1,200 mg holy basil (tulsi) extract, while the rest of them received an inactive dud pill (placebo). After 6 weeks, and no other variables, it became clear that the tulsi group showed symptom improvement. Depending on the particular issue, participants enjoyed 33 to 90% improvements as compared to the placebo group.
Adaptogenic herbs give your body an adrenal vacation. Holy basil (Tulsi) in particular allows you to rest in peace (and I mean that literally, not as in death😂)
The internal homeostasis and ensuing cellular “peace” occurs because adaptogenic herbs interact at the level of your HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) and give them a rest.
The HPA axis is like I-95 in your body. It’s a super highway running north and south, that connects your pituitary gland to your thyroid and adrenal glands (and more). It runs north and south. The HPA freeway signals your body so you can run faster when you see a big snake next to you! Instead of thinking holy moly, think holy basil (but still run like the dickens!)
What about your brain? Research suggests that tulsi helps maintain catecholamines like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Serotonin levels may improve too.
All of these neurotransmitters are primary targets by prescription antidepressants!
So if you are experiencing melancholy, a cup of Holy Basil tea makes good sense.While I’m on the topic of depression, and mood, I have another great article you might be interested in reading. CLICK HERE to read about St. John’s Wort, Serotonin and Depression.
Sometimes melancholy and depression are tied to surgical hysterectomy or the change of life. If you’d like to read about that subject, CLICK HERE to read my article entitled, Handling Menopause and Andropause as a Couple.
Instead of coffee all day, try tea! Holy basil (Tulsi) can work within minutes on those days when you’ve tried yoga, meditation and praying and you still want to smack someone. Try it, you’ll see what I mean and it will fast become one of your favorite morning rituals. If you prefer to make a recipe, there are many delicious ones online. Here’s one from me too… get my recipe for Asparagus, Basil and Feta Fritatta, just CLICK HERE.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
