Holy Basil
Called “The Incomparable One” in its native India, this beautiful plant is a powerful and easy to grow medicinal herb.
Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum or Ocimum tenuiflorum, also known as Tulsi) isn’t your ordinary Basil. While it makes a great pesto, it does lots more than add flavor to a dish; its antioxidant and antibacterial properties heal the body inside and out. Here’s how!
PMS Reliever
Holy Basil has a high content of iron; just one tablespoon of dried holy basil can provide you with 10% of the recommended daily value. Menstruation causes a loss in iron, which causes difficulties such as irritability, fatigue, bloating and general unwellness. Sprinkling Holy Basil on your fruit can help with the bloating (especially pineapple), and incorporating a cup of fresh Holy Basil into your salad twice a day can replace the lost iron that naturally occurs during menstruation.
Blemish Eraser
Holy Basil has a high antibacterial content. which can help heal pimples and blemishes. Many such blemishes are caused or worsened by bacteria on the skin, Holy Basil can help! Try this face-cleaning recipe on your face once or twice a day to freshen your face:
Ingredients
– 1 handful fresh Holy Basil leaves
– 1 cup water
– Cotton ball or other absorbent material
Boil the handful of Holy Basil leaves in the cup of water for 10 minutes. Strain out leaves and allow the liquid to cool. Use a cotton ball to absorb the extract you have made and pat it onto problem areas of skin (avoid your eyes!). Leave on for 10 minutes then rinse with cool water.
Stress Reliever
Holy Basil contains phytochemicals that lower the stress hormone cortisol. This results in a natural anti-anxiety effect that can be taken advantage of by merely adding dried or fresh Holy Basil to any beverage or meal. Cortisol is also a major factor in stress-related weight gain. Adding Holy Basil to your daily routine can help get rid of that belly fat!
Anti-Aging Properties
The high content of antioxidants in Holy Basil protect the body from the harmful free radicals that not only damage skin cells, but also contribute to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. Incorporate Holy Basil into your everyday moisturizing care, and sprinkle some in your steamy morning tea to receive its benefits.
Heart Health
Holy Basil is known as an adaptogenic herb. An adaptogen is a plant or substance that helps the body deal with stress. Adaptogens support the whole body/mind react more suitably to stress. For people struggling with Heart health, an adaptogen such as Holy Basil can help overall cardiovascular health in the following ways:
– Improve circulation
– Reduce free radicals
– Lung support
– Blood sugar modulation
– Reduce inflammation
