Holy Basil raises your spirits, immunities and appetites
Holy or Sacred Basil, otherwise known as Tulsi or Tulasi, Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum, is a sacred herb in the Hindu faith, the story being that a peasant girl fell in love with Krishna and was cursed by his consort, turning her into a Tulasi plant. There are holy days on which Tulasi is the central focus, and some Hindus will not use it even for medicine, out of reverence, although the majority do.
There seems to be some confusion between this herb and Thai Basil, which is a variety of Sweet Basil, Ocimum basilicum, and is used in cooking. The difference, according to Wikipedia, is that Thai Basil smells strongly of liquorice or aniseed, tastes slightly of liquorice or mint, and is hairless, while Holy Basil has hairy leaves and a warmer, spicy fragrance and tastes similar to cloves. So if you see a herb offered for sale as Holy Basil which does not have hairy leaves, by all means buy it for use in Thai cooking, but not for medical use. You will also have to be quite careful if buying seeds, choosing a specialist herb seed supplier which lists both types, if at all possible.
Holy Basil is related to Sweet Basil but not to Wild Basil or Basil Thyme.
Holy basil is an antioxidant and boosts the immune system. It’s also been shown to be helpful for diabetics, because it lowers blood sugar levels, and it also lowers levels of cholesterol in the blood, which may explain its Ayurvedic use as a treatment for heart disease. It is used as a tonic to raise the spirits and increase sexual appetite, to treat colds, flu, headaches and digestive disorders, as well as rheumatism and arthritis. For these purposes, the herb can either be included in food, or used in a standard infusion. Add 1 cup of boiling water to 3-4 teaspoonfuls of chopped fresh herb, or 1-2 teaspoonfuls of dried. Allow to stand for around 10 minutes, strain and use. It can be sipped over the course of an hour or so, if preferred.
The same infusion can be used cold as a wash for skin infections and fungal conditions.
In common with all herbs used for medicinal purposes, it’s important that Holy basil is grown organically, so that it is not adulterated by noxious chemicals. To find out more about growing organic holy basil, visit the Gardenzone.
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