Research has shown that Holy Basil acts as an anti-oxidant and decreases stress hormones. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory similar to aspirin and ibuprofen, but unlike aspirin and ibuprofen it is not irritating to the stomach and in fact, it has properties that help to prevent ulcers caused by these drugs.  Be sure to check out our line of herbal teas. We do have some holy basil teas called tulsi teas

IDENTIFICATION :
A hardy annual growing up to a height of 2 feet Fine hairs cover the stems .

HABITAT AND GROWING CONDITIONS :
tropical, much branched, annual herb, up to 18 inches tall; it grows into a low bush. The tulsi or holy basil considered sacred by the Hindus, has small leaves with a strong smell and purple flowers. Grows in full sun / partial shade, well drained soil. This plant is originally from India.
ACTIONS:
Demulcent, expectorant, mucilaginous stomachic, anti-catarrhal, fragrant. The plant is said to drive away mosquitoes. It is used on boils. It is one of the main ingredients of all cough syrups. It is used is skin diseases. In India, it considered sacred and is worshiped. It is used in malaria, as a stomachic & in gastric diseases.

USES : Holy Basil is regarded as the most sacred plant in Ayurvedic medicine, and after my first use of this herb I would have to agree it is pretty special. It helped to clear up bronchitis that had attacked me and while all other herbs were helping the addition of holy basil I feel brought me out of my misery and back to my sassy self.

If you or your family members have been suffering from the flu this season I would suggest you make some Holy Basil capsules. This herb is useful in respiratory tract infection, allergies, and asthma. It raises the human body immunity by increasing the antibody production and also acts as a demulcent, expectorant, mucilaginous, stomachic, anti-catarrhal.

Recent studies have shown Holy Basil leaves have properties similar to the anti-TB drugs like Streptomycin and Isoniazide. Essential oil of Holy Basil has been used as a potent anti-malarial drug. It also has mosquito repellent properties.

Holy Basil has anti-fertility effect by reducing the estrogen hormone levels in females and decreasing the sperm count in men, so if you are wanting babies don't use it.