I Heart Herbs - Holy Basil

*Please note - The information provided is collected from my various herbal books, classes, and personal research. I am not a doctor. Always, always, always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Do your own research and think for yourself. Don't believe everything you read. Questions are good!

Holy Basil in my garden.

Holy Basil~Tulsi 

Latin Name: Ocimum sanctum

It is given the Sanskrit name "tulsi" 

which means incomparable.

Plant Family: Lamiaceae-the mint family

Parts Used: the whole plant

Actions: adaptogen, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, galactagogue

Take as a delicous tea, tincture, capsules, 

or you can even eat the fresh herb.

In India, holy basil is worshipped as a deity.

This Ayurvedic herb is uplifting and good for the spirit.

Holy basil is one of India’s most powerful herbs.

Benefits of Holy Basil

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It is an incredible adaptogen, an herb that helps us adapt to stress.

Holy basil enhances cerebral circulation and memory.

Holy basil helps repair cells over time and protects against environmental damage.

David Winston, herbalist, uses holy basil to treat people with allergic rhinitis and allergies to animal dander and mold. He says it can reduce the symptoms of hay fever and allergic asthma when combined with reishi and a solid extract from blueberries.

It can be used as a natural antiseptic due to the compound eugenol, found in the essential oil.

Holy basil kills bacteria, reduces inflammation, and can be used as an insect repellant.

It is an effective treatment for snake bites.

It is also used to treat many skin conditions as well as coughs, bronchitis and diabetes.

One of my herb teachers taught us that holy basil is a long term life insurance policy.

Holy Basil on a deeper level

Holy basil represents harmony, happiness, purity, serenity, luck, and good health.

Holy basil calms and brings goodness and joy to your being.

Holy basil nourishes us to perfect health and enlightenment.

Daily use of holy basil helps maintain the balance of our chakras, the energy centers of the body.

In the Puranas, a sacred Hindu text, everything associated with the plant is holy.

Because of the spiritual significance of this plant, its roots have been used to carve Hindu sacred rosary beads.They are used in meditation to give clarity and protection.

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It is a purifier of body, mind, and spirit.

You can find a holy basil plant in almost any Hindu home.

Many Indian women begin the day by offering blessed water to the plant.They walk around it and pray before it, to promote well-being and encourage the grace of the goddess as a living presence in the home.

Invite holy basil into your life, 

only good things can come of it.

Inspiration, Peace & Love,

~Amy

The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle, C.C., Holistic Alchemist and Manifestor of Dreams is a life coach,
reverend, creatress, teacher, writer, herbalist, tapping facilitator, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 

She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 

Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 

She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.