The Benefits of Holy Basil (Tulsi)

be any interaction between your medications and the supplements youre thinking about taking.
When looking at scientific research to determine whether or not holy basil is safe studies are a bit varied and more research is needed.
Most of the studies on tulsi so far have been conducted in a laboratory setting. But in a 2017 systematic review of 24 clinical studies researchers identified several positive benefits of tulsi in humans and found no negative downsides to using the herb for medicinal purposes. But only seven of those studies were classified as highquality research of which only three incorporated the preferred doubleblind approach to clinical trials.
In addition the longterm effects of using tulsi on a daily basis is relatively unknown. And to date there isnt a scientifically proven recommended dosage or daily limit for holy basil. Because of this more research is needed to determine how much tulsi is needed to receive its intended benefits how much is safe at any one time and the exact mechanisms at play that inform the benefits people have experienced when taking this herb in its various forms.
For a lot of the research theres a possibility that not every study is a great quality study. Sometimes the benefits may be overreported. And theres always the possibility that theres some negative evidence that hasnt turned up through usual search engines explains Peart. We dont have longterm scientific evidence but there have been thousands of years of traditional use and thats not nothing.
The potential benefits discovered so far can be broken out into three areas
Metabolic benefits Neurocognitive and mood conditions Immunity and infections.
Metabolic benefits
Because of its properties as an antioxidant research has shown that tulsi could have a positive effect on several metabolic processes including
Lowering blood sugar Improving LDL cholesterol Improving blood pressure Decreasing inflammation.
In particular holy basil could be beneficial for anyone who has
Diabetes High cholesterol Obesity Arthritis Fibromyalgia.
Neurocognitive and mood conditions
Adaptogens in particular support your bodys ability to respond effectively to
Some of the studies in the 2017 systematic review showed tulsi could increase someones energy and help manage physical and emotional stress. One example of a twoweek controlled randomized study from 2014 showed young adults who consumed nutrition bars fortified with eugenol tulsi leaf extract had significant improvement in levels of fatigue immune response to viral infections and VO2 max a scientific measure of lung capacity.
Immunity and infections
Researchers believe many of these benefits may be caused
by one of the plants core chemical components known as eugenol.
A polyphenol eugenol has also been found to provide additional or similar benefits in cloves because of its antiinflammatory properties. A 2021 study even suggests eugenol may also inhibit some of the spike proteins found in the SARSCoV2 virus from taking root and causing a COVID19 infection.
Another small randomized doubleblind placebocontrolled trial in 2011 also showed an increased immune response in adults after four weeks of using a tulsi leaf extract daily.
For safe use
As you can see from the various trials and studies much of what we know about tulsi seems promising but we dont completely understand yet just how we should use tulsi as part of our daily routines and for whom its most beneficial. We also dont quite know whether or not there are any negative side effects. More research needs to be done specifically in regard to human clinical trials.
There isnt any evidence at this point that says whats a safe dose to use or how much you need to take for a specific health issue reiterates Peart. We dont have that level of specificity yet but generally daily use of tulsi has been found to be safe so far.
If you decide to incorporate tulsi into your nutritional plan Peart recommends sticking with holy basil tea or growing the raw herb organically on your own. If youre considering using other forms like tulsi supplements talk to your healthcare provider first and avoid tulsi supplements completely if youre pregnant or breastfeeding.
You can use too much of any supplement and if you do there can always be some risk for side effects stresses Peart.