Holy Basil for Stress?
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Therese
Posted on: May 07, 2004

Do you know anything about ‘holy basil’ in capsule form? Heard it’s great for stress?

Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), known as tulsi in Sanskrit, is one of the most sacred plants in India. A fresh plant is kept in many Indian homes for its purifying and protective actions. In recent medical studies confirm that tulsi cleanses toxins from the respiratory and digestive tracts. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an antidepressant and to help relieve stress.

Holy basil is closely related to other Ocimum, or basil, species that are commonly grown in North America. Basil has antispasmodic, antibacterial, anti-depressant, digestive and adrenal stimulant actions, and is used in digestive problems, nervous tension, stress and tension headaches.

I don’t know the effectiveness of basil in capsule form. I am familiar with its use as the fresh, dried and frozen herb. Basil pesto, made with lots of basil, garlic, olive oil, sea salt and pine nuts, is a great tasting way to use this herb medicinally in your diet.

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