Holy Basil Benefits
And Tulsi Tea Recipe

Tulsi tea is made from the Ayurvedic herb holy basil or tulsi, which is native to India where it is valued as an energizing and tasty beverage. Although this herbal plant is related to the common basil plant, it is quite different. It has remarkable healing and health benefiting qualities which have made it a popular part of Indian culture for thousands of years.

For the past two summers we have been making tulsi iced tea mixed with other herbs and spices as a cold refreshing beverage. I love the smell of it and it blends so well with other herbs and is especially yummy with vanilla.

Below I give our most favorite of herbal tea recipes using holy basil. It is simple to make once you have all the ingredients on hand. We make a bulk blend of herbs that we can add right to a quart of hot water or you can make your own herbal tea bags for a hot cup of tea on the go.

The leaves of holy basil contain essential oils that contribute to the fragrance and refreshing flavor. The taste of tulsi is uniquely spiced, resembling a blend of mint and clove.

Tulsi tea is made from the leaf of the plant. The most traditional method of herbal preparation is to infuse the fresh leaf, dried leaf or powder in hot water. In India it is also used in ghee or clarified butter. Sometimes the root and seeds are used, but it is less common.

There are 3 Types of Tulsi Tea:

1) Rama Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) - medicinally the strongest
2) Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum)
3) Krishna Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

Tulsi does not contain caffeine, although it does have a definite energizing effect on the body. When you brew the tea it actually turns a dark brown color even though the leaves are green. Some say it is a good substitute for coffee or caffeinated teas for those trying to kick the habit.

Holy Basil Benefits:

1) Adaptogen - assisting the body to "adapt" to stress and normalize organ functions; nourishes and cushions the nervous system. Has much in common with other triterpenoid containing adaptogens such as ginseng, eleuthero and jiao-gu-lan. (See Superfood Evolution Ezine #13 for more on adaptogens)

2) Antioxidant - contains a rich amount of bio-available antioxidants that help to protect the cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, shielding the cell structure from "germs" and other foreign invaders that threaten our health.

3) Immuno-modulator - balances and improves the immune response of the body in fighting antigens (such as bacteria, viruses, microbes, allergens etc.)

Other Holy Basil Health Benefits:

• Enhances stamina
• Supports eye health
• Calms the body and mind
• Balances cholesterol levels
• Provides healthy metabolism
• Normalizes blood sugar levels
• Promotes joint and bone support

NOTE:

In the Hindu religion holy basil is revered as a sacred herb used in meditation, ritual and worship. It is often symbolically planted outside each Hindu household and the seeds are worn to honor the Hindu god, Vishnu.

Tulsi is documented in the Charak Samhita (ancient Ayurvedic text) written two thousand years ago. In Ayurvedic medicine, holy basil is classified as a "Rasayana", which is an herb that expands happiness by promoting a youthful state of physical and mental health. Rasayan herbs are extremely safe and effective to use on a daily basis.

Tulsi Tea Recipe

• 1 quart hot water
• 3 heaping Tablespoons tulsi leaf or powder
• 1T lemon grass
• 1t anise seed
• 1/4t vanilla powder
• 1t ginger root
• 1t coriander
• 1/4t stevia powder or (dropper of vanilla creme stevia)
• 1T raw honey

You can either decoct herbs for 5 minutes or infuse them directly in hot water. Since we use the powder, the infusion method works to extract medicinal properties.

Strain after 20 minutes, then add sweeteners and vanilla. Drink as a hot cup of tea, serve iced or store in the refrigerator to have on hand.

You can add almond milk or other super sweeteners like coconut sugar, clear agave nectar or yacon root syrup.

The more you use and drink tulsi tea the more you will become familiar with what herbs blend well with it. I personally like to balance my herbal tea formulas with a spice of some kind to help drive in the medicinal qualities of the main herbs. In this case I used ginger, but other herbs like cinnamon, long pepper, or cayenne, for example, also work.

You can also create other herbal formulas that combine herbal stimulants, like gotu kola or ginkgo, or use a blend of nutritive herbs, cleansing herbs and Chinese tonics, like astragalus or rhodiola.

To experience major health benefits of tulsi tea it is advised to drink it on a regular basis. It also makes a great herbal addition to kombucha. Simply add 4 herbal tea bags of tulsi to your next kombucha recipe batch.

Grow Your Own Tulsi For Tulsi Tea

If you are short on time for growing or making your own tulsi tea, Mountain Rose Herbs sells a tulsi extract that you can conveniently add to many drinks or smoothie recipes.

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Precautions: Not recommended for use if pregnant or nursing. May have a tendency to lower blood sugar in children and has mild blood thinning properties.

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