image: three flowering stems of holy basil against a purple gradient background.

Holy Basil tastes like magic: sweet, aromatic, and mysterious. The first time I had a cup, during my time as a student at People’s Medicine School at Rootwork Herbals, I felt my heart space just…open up.

It’s no surprise that Tulsi aka holy basil is sacred in Hinduism, and called “The Queen of Herbs.” Tulsi is an adaptogen, which means working with it over a long period of time can help the body adapt to stress, and support your brain.

Capitalism makes burnout inevitable. Tulsi Kapoor nourishes our brains, and helps us navigate our culture of overwork while being kind to our body/minds and ourselves.

I’ll discuss:

(Click to Jump to Section)

✹ The benefits of Tulsi Kapoor aka Holy Basil

✹ Which part of holy basil is worked with for wellness

✹ What holy basil looks like

✹ What holy basil is good for

✹ Who shouldn’t use with holy basil

New to Herbal Wellness? Take the Quiz!

Common Name: Kapoor Tulsi

Latin Name: Ocimum sanctum or Ocimum tenuiflorum

Nicknames: The Queen of Herbs, Holy Basil, The Great Protector

Region: Native to the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, and Africa

Family: Lamiaceae

Energetics: Warm, Moist

Taste: Sweet

Impressions: Aromatic

Description

Many branches with small purple, pink, or white flowers. Can grow up to 24 inches. Frost tolerant.

Parts Used:

Aerial Parts

Foundational Action

Aromatic Relaxant

Primary Actions

Adaptogenic, Nervine, Carminative

Secondary Actions

Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, Anxiolytic, Anti-Cancer, Anti-Ulcer, Anti-Viral Cardiotonic, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Anti-Hypotensive, Nootropic, Radioprotective, Tonic, Trophorestorative

Bioactive Compounds

Eugenol, methyl chavicol, linalool, isoeugenol, rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid, alpha- and beta-caryophyllene, 1,8 cineole, methyl chavicol, carvacrol, linalool, thymol, limonene, gamma-terpinene, camphor, germacrene A, beta-ocimene, camphor, cinnamyl acetate, and methyl isoeugenol

Physical Indications

anxiety, pain, inflammation, high blood pressure, memory and cognition, fever, cough, colds, indigestion, longevity

Contraindications

May cause decrease in total sperm count with very large dosage (this was something found in rats, not humans, so…) May increase the potency of sleeping and relaxant medications, like barbiturates—could make them more sedative. May lower blood sugar, so take caution with diabetes. May not be great for those with hypothyroidism, or those who take blood clotting medication. Also avoid before surgery, if you’re pregnant, or chest/breastfeeding. Considered safe for most people.

As always, this isn’t medical advice. For that, you need to ask your doctor 🙂