Herbal Spotlight: Tulsi, one of our most important herbal allies

If this pandemic had an official herb, it would be Tulsi!  This adaptogen should be standard issue for surviving what 2020 & 2021 are dishing out. Current scientific studies have proven what herbalists have known for centuries-- Tulsi is one of our most important herbal allies. Join me as we discuss just what it can do for you & how--

ABOUT:    Tulsi [Ocimum tenuiflorum] is an aromatic member of the Lamiaceae or mint plant family, easily recognizable by its square ‘hairy’ stems & distinctive fragrance. Also known as Holy Basil & the Queen Of Herbs, tulsi is cultivated around the world for religious & medicinal purposes. It has been used for centuries in Chinese & Ayurvedic healing, as well as in religious ceremonies. 

A bundle of tulsi dried for making tea

It grows easily & readily, & is an herb I feel everyone should give serious thought to adding to their gardens. I believe you will be thrilled with it-- & I know your local bees will be! Locally, both Goranson Farm & Dharma Farm sell seedlings in the Spring. Tulsi works as a powerful adaptogen. Adaptogens are substances that are considered to help the body resist stressors of all kinds, whether physical, chemical or biological, & to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. Tulsi excels in this area -- 

Indeed, recent medical studies have shown Tulsi to actually lower cortisol levels [“The beneficial metabolic effects of tulsi are multiple and include lowering cortisol levels” Gholap S, Kar A.Pharmazie. 2004;59:876–8] in the body, so it is not just promoting feelings of wellbeing, but actually increasing our resilience to stress & our ability to handle it. [hence my vote for the official herb of the pandemic]

In addition to its adaptogenic properties, tulsi has also been found to have a modulating effect on the immune system, making it helpful in reducing symptoms of seasonal allergies & strengthening a healthy immune response, to improve memory, to focus attention, & to relieve depression & anxiety. Holy basil has even been shown to counter metabolic stress through normalization of blood glucose, blood pressure & lipid levels. The US National Institutes of Health has published an extensive report detailing many uses & studies.
​Read it here: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296439/

My Tulsi Rose Lemonade is a favorite in our house

USAGE​:  There are many ways to effectively use tulsi in order to reap its benefits. One of the most popular ways to to use it in teas & tisanes; this can be done with fresh or dried leaves & flowers. I personally dry large amounts for this usage; it is a favorite with every member of my family. We've found a cup of tulsi tea with lemon balm before bed to be just the thing for a good night’s sleep.
​ I also like to make syrups for drinks with tulsi -- Give it a try in your lemonade for a refreshing & uplifting treat, or come see me at Cupacity!

You can easily harvest & dry tulsi to make your own teas. Our plants were particularly prolific this year & I was able to bring in 4 huge harvests! I also dug up 3 plants after cutting them back & repotted them in containers indoors to prolong my access to fresh tulsi into the Winter. After harvesting, I sometimes garble it immediately & lay it to dry on drying-screens, but often I will simply hang bundles of long, cut stems to dry, then garble it into jars once it has completely dried. If you do not grow 

Garbling fresh tulsi

A lovely cup of tulsi & rose tea

it yourself, you can find dried tulsi at most herb houses, like Mountain Rose Herbs. I love to mix up my own blends, depending on my specific needs & feelings each day. If you are looking for a little inspiration, I personally find tulsi works especially well with chamomile, rose, jasmine, rosehips, & lemon balm, as well as with green tea if you are looking for some caffeine too. If you prefer to buy it premixed or bagged, you will find numerous tulsi teas on the market, including an amazing Tulsi + Rose one from Herbal Revolution.

In addition to being used as tea, tulsi is also steam-distilled to create essential oil & hydrosols. These can be applied to the skin or diffused in the home to help promote harmony. I enjoy bringing large ‘bouquets’ of cut stems & flowers inside to help fragrance our home too. This has the added benefit of ensuring I easily have fresh leaves at hand to muddle into drinks too. 

The most powerful means of using tulsi is by concentrating its constituents through tincturing. In pharmacology, a tincture is a type of medicine extracted from a plant in an alcohol solution. In order to achieve many of tulsi’s medical effects, one must sustain a constant level in the body; daily doses of tincture are an easy, effective method for achieving this. When choosing a tincture, look for how & where they are crafted; choosing 

We are sharing a small amount of our own Tulsi Tincture with our customers this year.

organic & unadulterated options from trusted sources is a good rule of thumb. Most will give guidelines for amount to take, with children’s dosing generally being half that of adults, but it is important to remember that every person is unique & will therefore interact with plant medicine in a unique way. You may experience a desired effect at a lower dosage or you may need a bit more than suggested. Therefore, it is best to discuss dosing with an Herbalist or your personal physician for best results. As always, if you are pregnant or nursing it is even more important to discuss usage with your doctor.

Well, that is about it for this week! I think you can see why I believe Tulsi to be such an important herb, & one everyone should include in their lives-- especially this year!
​Hopefully, I have piqued your curiosity about this amazing herb. As you sit down this Winter to plan your garden beds for next spring, give some though to adding her to your mix!  I believe you will really enjoy it & all its benefits!   Take care & STAY SAFE!   #StopAndEat TheFlowers