Indigenous cultures have used traditional herbal medicines to treat and prevent diseases for thousands of years.first Bioactive compounds found in medicinal plants have become major research points for drug therapies.2 and has been replicated in the lab by Big Pharma.3
Basil, or tulsi, (Ocimum sanctum) is an herb favored in Ayurvedic medicine for its immense health benefits.4 It has been widely used in Southeast Asia and is now making a name for itself in Western medicine.
Tulsi is a powerful adaptogen herb with antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. There are a number of products using tulsi available on the market today, including teas, extracts, and essential oils.5
Holy basil is a species of flowering plant in the mint family. It is very sacred in Hinduism because of its association with God Vishnu, one of the main deities of the religion.6 In addition to its medicinal uses, tulsi is also widely grown and used as a culinary herb.7 The pungent mint flavor enhances and focuses the cooking process. Outside of its native area, it is considered an invasive species.
Tulsi can grow up to 5 feet tall in the intense Indian heat but normally grows to only 2 feet long in more temperate areas.8 It is a short-lived perennial shrub or annual depending on the region. For comparison, sweet basil is a popular culinary herb that grows in many regions and can be grown indoors. Although they belong to the same genus, they are markedly different in taste and appearance.9
Tulsi may help reduce the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure
Diabetes increases the risk of high blood pressureten and vice versa.11 There is evidence that basil affects blood glucose levels and may help reduce high blood pressure.
In 1996, researchers studied the effects of basil on the blood sugar of albino rats.twelfth Their results indicated that using holy basil could lower blood sugar levels after fasting and eating. Decreases in urinary glucose concentrations followed a similar trend.
These results are similar to those found over many years of using holy basil in Ayurvedic interventions for diabetes. Review of ayurvedic literature13 has revealed many studies in which the practice of using holy basil includes the treatment of diabetes, hepatitis, cardiovascular diseases, and infectious diseases.
More recently, scientists have looked at several plants with antidiabetic properties and bioactive compounds, including basil.14 The leaves of the plant contain eugenol, ursolic acid, carvacrol and linalool. Tulsi is also rich in vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, and other phytonutrients, including flavonoids, saponins, and triterpenoids.
These leaves are thought to stimulate insulin secretion and reduce serum cortisol and glucose levels in animal models.15 It also demonstrated a dose-dependent hypoglycemic effect in another animal study.16 In a database search of human studies,17 Results showed that tulsi was effective in reducing fasting blood glucose and cholesterol levels in patients over 40 years of age without altering the overall lipid profile.
Basil has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help lower blood pressure.18 Research19 in 2016 showed that basil and cloves can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in animal models when compared to a control group.
Tulsi can help form skin and teeth
Tulsi can benefit the skin in a number of ways.20 It can help relieve eczema and psoriasis and treat staph infections on the skin. Essential oils have antifungal and antibacterial activities.
As mentioned, the leaves have ursolic acid, a favorite in the cosmetic industry because it helps to erase wrinkles and improve elasticity. Ayurvedic medicine uses tulsi in a topical medication with black pepper to treat ringworm and as a paste on the skin to help relieve irritation of insect bites.
In the practice of ayurvedic medicine21 tulsi is known as “one of a kind”, “nature’s mother medicine” and “the queen of herbs”. References are a wide range of health benefits that practitioners have found. This includes treating skin diseases, ringworm, and a variety of other health conditions that affect the respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems.
Basil extract may also help form your teeth and gums. In a study22 published in 2014, researchers compared a mouthwash made from holy basil with sterile water and chlorhexidine. They found that basil extract inhibited periodontal pathogens at different concentrations with similar efficacy to chlorhexidine.
The researchers suggest that the antiplaque effect may have prophylactic benefit. However, ayurvedic practitioners warn against chewing the leaves.23 The leaves contain large amounts of mercury, and iron is released when you chew them.
They are also highly acidic. Practitioners recommend starting your day with two to three fresh leaves on an empty stomach. However, on a daily basis, this can cause unusual discoloration and wear on the enamel.
Protection against infection
A review in the Journal of Ayurvedic and Integrative Medicine24 calls tulsi an “herb for all reasons,” noting that it is effective against “a wide range of human and animal pathogens” with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, even suggesting it can be Consider for making hand sanitizer, water purifier or for wound healing.
Tulsi is also one of the herbs in Ayush Kwath, an Ayurvedic herbal formulation recommended by the Indian government to boost immunity and fight COVID-19.25 At the conclusion of a literature review of Ayush Kwath, the researchers suggested that:
“Ayush Kwath due to its immunomodulatory, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, anti-atherosclerotic, hepatoprotective, regenerating protective properties; appears to be effective in modulating immunity to control viral infections such as COVID-19. ”
Writing in a paper published in Nature Plants in 2017, the researchers suggest26 “While the plant kingdom continues to serve as an important source for chemical entities that aid in drug discovery, the rich traditions of herbal medicine developed by trial and error on the basis of The human body for thousands of years contains invaluable biomedical information just waiting to be discovered by modern scientific approaches. ”
The use of traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of respiratory diseases has gained renewed interest in times of pandemic. Herbal medicine is a powerful arsenal in the prevention and treatment of respiratory illnesses such as colds, flu and COVID-19. In China, herbal treatment is recommended for children and adults with COVID-19,27 and interest in traditional healing methods is also growing in the United States.
Herbs are unique in that they contain many beneficial ingredients that work synergistically to promote health. Tulsi is said to be able to help alleviate various bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections,28 skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria29 and respiratory infections such as pneumonia.30
Can relieve stress, anxiety and enhance cognitive function
After the pandemic, more than 80% of people surveyed said they had feelings related to prolonged stress. Report of the American Psychological Associationthirty first in February 2021 showed higher levels of stress than in previous years, and many of those surveyed also reported feeling anxious, sad, and angry.
The executive director of the American Psychological Association warns that, “If we don’t address stress as part of our national recovery plan, we will be dealing with mental health conditions impacted by pandemics.” this epidemic for many years to come.”32
One of the symptoms of high stress is drug use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention33 The report estimates there were around 100,306 drug-related deaths in the 12-month period ending April 2021. This represents a 28.5% increase year-over-year.
Research34 isolated extract from holy basil, has been tested in animal models in which acute stress is induced using biochemical alterations. Several compounds show promising antidepressant effects when used alone because they normalize the elevations in serum glucose, corticosterone, creatinine kinase, and adrenal hypertrophy that occur in stressful situations. tall straight.
Second study35 tested tulsi against generalized anxiety disorders, in a group of 35 participants with an average age of 38.4 years. The results showed that the treatment significantly reduced anxiety disorders and the correlation between stress and depression. The researchers concluded that holy basil could be a useful treatment and a “promising anxiolytic agent in the near future.”
Stress disorders can increase the risk of developing dementia by almost three times. The association was found to be more pronounced in men than in women, except in women with post-traumatic stress disorder.36,37
Interestingly, an animal study38 showed that holy basil can help control cognitive dysfunction caused in animals, thereby improving their cognitive function in people performing the intervention. In a human study,39 Researchers looked at the effects of tulsi on cognition and stress using 300 mg of leaf extract capsules for 30 days.
The researchers compared the intervention group to a placebo group, measuring reaction times and error rates in the trial, as well as salivary cortisol, and using an Anxiety Inventory. They found that people who took the leaf extract had potential cognitive-enhancing properties.
Herb is impressive but not a magic bullet
It’s important to remember that although basil has an impressive list of health benefits, it is not a magic bullet. Overall, you cannot depend on just one supplement or one herb to maintain your health and fitness. It’s equally important to implement other lifestyle strategies to support your health.
These include optimizing your diet, exercising regularly, minimizing your exposure to environmental toxins, and getting quality sleep each night. There are some precautions you should take if you are considering using holy basil as a supplement.
There are few or no studies evaluating the safety of holy basil supplements during pregnancy; While basil may be beneficial to your health, there is no clear indication whether it is safe for your unborn baby. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use holy basil.40
Additionally, there have been two animal studies showing that taking it in large quantities can negatively affect fertility. A review of the effects on humans published in 202041 found that large amounts of basil can cause liver damage, nausea, diarrhea, and rapid heart rate.
Herbs also have bioactive compounds, such as ursolic acid or eugenol in tulsi, which can react with compounds in other supplements or medications. As it can be complicated to work with herbs, you will get the best results when working with a knowledgeable natural health professional who can guide you through the solutions. suitable for your situation.
