Tulsi: A Timeless Herb For All Reasons
This is my favorite crop from our garden in 2021 and is now among my top 5 favorite garden crops of all time. It smells great, it tastes amazing, it heals the body, mind and nourishes the local pollinators.
Here info on the health benefits of Holy Basils (aka “Tulsi”)
All species of basil offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and digestion- and cognition-enhancing properties but holy basil takes it several steps further than common garden basils. Holy basil’s clove- and mint-like fragrance pulls people into a relaxing, Zen state. Most famously, Tulsi acts as an adaptogenic herb, helping the body adapt to stress and find deep reserves of energy. Holy basil is said to be one of the easiest of all adaptogens to grow and harvest in abundance, and its ability to both calm, detoxify, heal and energize makes it a must have in the kitchen and ‘natural first aid kit’.
Tulsi is an aromatic shrub in the basil family Lamiaceae (tribe ocimeae) that is thought to have originated in north central India and now grows native throughout the eastern world tropics. Tropical types (Krishna, Vana, Amrita) are best started in strong light in warm conditions. The temperate tulsi will germinate on a windowsill. Regarding the temperate tulsi (previously misnomered “Kapoor”), the owners of Strictly Medicinal Seeds tested this cultivar and confirmed the eugenol marker, and subsequent genetic testing shows it to be a basil of African origin–Ocimum africanum.
Within Ayurveda, tulsi is known as “The Incomparable One,” “Mother Medicine of Nature” and “The Queen of Herbs,” and is revered as an “elixir of life” that is without equal for both its medicinal and spiritual properties.
The medicinal properties of tulsi have been studied in hundreds of scientific studies (including animal and human experiments). These studies reveal that tulsi has a unique combination of actions that include: Antimicrobial (including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antimalarial, anthelmintic), mosquito repellent, anti-diarrheal, anti-oxidant, anti-cataract, anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive, radioprotective, hepato-protective, neuro-protective, cardio-protective, anti-diabetic, anti-hypercholesterolemia, anti-hypertensive, anti-carcinogenic, analgesic, anti-pyretic, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory, central nervous system depressant, memory enhancement, anti-asthmatic, anti-tussive, diaphoretic, anti-thyroid, anti-ulcer, anti-emetic, anti-spasmodic, anti-arthritic, adaptogenic, anti-stress, anti-cataract, anti-leukodermal and anti-coagulant activities. These pharmacological actions help the body and mind cope with a wide range of chemical, physical, infectious and emotional stresses and restore physiological and psychological function.for additional information on the medicinal benefits of Tusli: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296439/ and https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/tulsi-can-extend-human-lifespan-says-pu-research/articleshow/71038896.cms
The nutritional value is also high, as it contains:
-vitamin A and C
-calcium
-zinc
-iron
-chlorophyll
-phosphorous
-potassium
-magnesium
and more
It also contains other well studied medicinal compounds such as:
-Eugenol,
-Oleanolic acid
-Ursolic acid
-Rosmarinic acid
-Carvacrol
-Linalool
-β-caryophyllene
Holy basil is also high in antioxidants and helps your body detox. Studies show that holy basil can protect your body against toxic chemicals. It may also prevent cancer by reducing the growth of cancerous cells.
— Protects against infection and treat wounds:
Extracts made from its leaves are thought to boost wound healing speed and strength. Holy basil is:
-antibacterial
-antiviral
-antifungal
-anti-inflammatory
-analgesic (a painkiller)
Some people even use holy basil after surgery to heal and protect their wounds. Holy basil increases your wound’s breaking strength, healing time, and contraction. Breaking strength refers to how much pressure or weight a wound can take before it breaks.
— Reduces stress and anxiety:
All parts of the holy basil plant act as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is a natural substance that helps your body adapt to stress and promotes mental balance.
The concept of an adaptogen is a holistic approach. But scientific research shows that holy basil has pharmacological properties to help your mind cope with many types of stress.
The source of your stress can be:
-chemical
-physical
-infectious
-emotional
In the case of physical stress, holy basil is known to increase endurance in animals. Animals who had holy basil leaf extracts and went through environment-induced stress scenarios showed:
-enhanced metabolism
-improved swimming time
-less tissue damage
-lower stress levels in loud environments
Human and animal studies saw reduced:
-stress
-endurance problems
-sleep problems
-forgetfulness
-exhaustion
According to the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, holy basil has antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties comparable to (or better than) diazepam and antidepressant drugs (and without the negative side effects of pharmaceutical drugs). These studies examined the leaves.
— Eases inflammation and joint pain:
Imagine being able to tackle stress, anxiety, and inflammation with a relaxing cup of tea made with the leaves of holy basil.
As an adaptogen with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, holy basil provides all of these benefits. It can even help people with arthritis or fibromyalgia.
— Protects your stomach:
Holy basil can counteract the effects of stress-induced ulcers. It naturally increases your stomach’s defense by:
-decreasing stomach acid
-increasing mucus secretion
-increasing mucus cells
-extending life of mucus cells
Many drugs for peptic ulcers have side effects and can cause discomfort in some people. Holy basil may be a preferred alternative. One animal study showed that 200 mg of holy basil extract reduced both the number and index of ulcers significantly in two-thirds of the animals.
Tulsi In The Garden
I have been noticing how the Temperate Tulsi (Ocimum africanum) aka “Holy Basil” blossoms are favored by native pollinators in our garden.
Tulsi is also fantastic for attracting beneficial insects, especially parasitoid wasps and solitary bees.
I wonder if this is due to the pollinators being able to derive medicinal benefits from some of the 54 medicinally active compounds that have been identified in Tulsi flower spikes? Perhaps they are getting trace amounts of camphor, eucalyptol and/or eugenol (or other medicinally active compounds) in the nectar and this is making them feel amazing, increase their resilience, energy levels and over all health? :) I would like to think so (and others certainly do: https://peakd.com/naturalmedicine/@mountainjewel/dobeesselfmedicateonplantmedicine-zhhjai5dx2 ). All I know is the pollinators I observe seem particularly invigorated and happy as they forage the nectar on these particular flowers. I hope this helps them do their important work and live longer lifespans (in spite of all the chemical toxicity humans have introduced into their habitats).
But whether or not the pollinators foraging for nectar from our Tulsi plants are getting adaptogenic benefits for their immune system, anti-oxidant/essential oil fueled detoxification, supercharged metabolism and enhanced nervous system function (or just getting some good nectar as regular food) it is evident that Tulsi is a fantastic companion plant. I have noticed Tulsi has helps increase pollination rates and attracts beneficial predator insects like parasitoid wasps (solitary non nest building types) that control the numbers of things like caterpillars and aphids.
In particular I see a lot of cross over in the specific species of pollinators that prefer our goji berry blossoms and those that are frequenting our Tulsi blossoms (such as mason bees, sweat bees, cuckoo wasps, bumblebees, hover flies and carpenter bees) so I highly suggest companion planting these two highly nutritious, medicinal and beautiful plants together.
I hope this will inspire you to try growing some of your own Tulsi at home. Wishing you all good health and many bountiful harvests.
