Tulsi Tea

Was so, so excited when I visited my local Herbal Store, to get my normal bags of fresh nettle tea, and decided to look around at all their other goodies.....because usually I am in and out.  Well, as I was searching the shelf of herbal teas, I found the one tea I've been wanting to order on-line, but didn't want to pay shipping fees. "TULSI Tea"  My neighbor, who I love dearly, is from India and she has been desperately trying to get her Tulsi - Holy Basil tree to stay alive through the winter months. She told me the story behind the Holy Basil and about all its benefits.  So, when I saw this on the shelf - the purchase was mine.


The health benefits of tulsi are due to the active ingredient, Eugenol present in the leaves. It also contains ursolic acid and carvacrol, both of which have anti-microbial properties. Tulsi tea is rich in anti-oxidants, which help the body fight free radicals that are responsible for causing various chronic degenerative diseases. (For more info: Tea Mind Body)

Another link for more info on the Plant Tulsi/Holy Basil : (Uses of Tulsi Plants/Leaves), 
(Tulsi - Weightloss), (Holy Basil Tulsi), (Diabetes?)


Some proponents of Tulsi tea claim it can strengthen the immune system, prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, reduce stress, increase strength and endurance, aid digestion, fight free radicals with its cancer-fighting antioxidants, help the liver, relieve inflammation and fight infection. 

According to the Organic India website, tulsi tea "strengthens digestion and a healthy metabolism that may promote weight loss.  I have also read where it is great for diabetics, because it may help to lower fasting and post-meal blood glucose levels. There was a study done on 40 type 2 diabetics, who were asked to stop all of their diabetes medications. Half of the patients were given 2.5 g of holy basil leaf powder daily, and the other half were given a placebo for four weeks. The groups were closely monitored and at the end of the study, holy basil was found to reduce fasting blood glucose levels by approximately 17.6 percent, and post-meal blood glucose levels by 7.3 percent. The study was small, however, and more research needs to be done to confirm whether or not holy basil can effectively lower blood glucose levels.

Dangers

There are some indications that holy basil may be dangerous. The herb may affect fertility and has not been assessed for use during pregnancy or breast feeding. It is recommended that you avoid the herb if you are about to have surgery of if you are taking anticoagulant medications. You should also avoid tulsi if you are taking medications to lower your blood sugar levels as the herb can also lower blood sugar.

Here is an article from 2013 : Holy Basil