Holy Basil Extract

Species Name: Ocimum Tenuflorium

Also Known As: Holy Basil, Tulsi, Tulasi

What is Holy Basil Extract? Holy Basil is an aromatic plant that is native to the Old World Tropics not only as a cultivated plant but as a weed that has been transplanted by accident.

It is used in a number of religious ceremonies, cuisine and also for a number of medical benefits as well.

The Holy Basil is considered to be the “Queen of Herbs” and is the most sacred herb in India where it has been worshiped for centuries.

Holy Basil can be used in several different ways including being ingested as part of a meal (fresh leaf), dried powder, tea, mixed with ghee (clarified butter used in South Asian cooking) and in essential oil form.

The essential oil is typically the form that is used in religious ceremonies.

Home Remedies using Holy Basil Extract:

Benefits and Uses of Holy Basil Extract:

A study published by the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine showed that holy basil was effective for the treatment of diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels and also lowered blood cholesterol levels as well.

Additional studies have suggested that it is good for use in the prevention of radiation poisoning and in the treatment of cataracts.

It is known to have a positive effect on people and provides relief from stress, fever, respiratory disorders, asthma and heart diseases.

Holy Basil, in addition to being good in Thai cooking, has been shown to have benefits for conditions that range from the common cold, stomach disorders, headaches, inflammation, various poisonings, heart disease and malaria.

It is often mixed with grains to repel insects for longer term storage.

It is thought that holy basil acts like a COX 2 inhibitor, and is as effective as modern day painkillers.

It has also been shown to act as an anti inflammatory compound, which may be key to a number of its benefits.

Other uses for holy basil include:

  • Oral and dental care
  • Asthma
  • Stress
  • Skin care
  • Anti-aging

Holy basil extract is available in the following forms:

  • Capsules
  • Liquid extract
  • Oil
  • Tea

Side Effects of Holy Basil Extract:

It is likely that there are few or no side effects for holy basil as none have been reported so far and the herb has been in frequent use for centuries both in the medical/religious and cooking capacities.

But it is important to consider the safety of any herbal preparation that you are considering, especially if you have never used it before.

If you are on any long term medications, it is important to discuss possible reactions with the medication and holy basil with your doctor before you start using it in any form.

Always be aware of and alert to the signs of a food or medication allergy when you are starting something new.