TULSI by HERB CLUB

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PLANT PROFILE: TULSI
by HERB CLUB LA 🌿

Holy Basil is a perennial member of the mint, or Lamiaceae, family. I have a close relationship with this aromatic plant for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is an ancestral plant ally used by my mother, my mother’s mother, and so on and so forth. One of the most commonly prescribed herbs in Ayurveda, this plant native to India has been used medicinally and spiritually in the subcontinent for over 5000 years. My mom would tell me that keeping a Holy Basil plant in our backyard would bring us good luck and prosperity. I have grown and tended to Holy Basil in my garden from seedling to maturity, collecting its seeds and drying its leaves for tea. It is one of my go-to herbal allies when I feel like I need a sense of grounding and remembrance. Steeping a cup of Holy Basil tea reminds me that it is a plant steeped in rich history and spiritual folklore. The wood of Holy Basil is often used in India to make mala beads, a string of 108 beads used for Vedic prayers, meditations, and chants. It is associated with Goddess Tulasi, representing love and devotion.

BENEFITS OF TULSI ✨

🧠 MENTAL CLARITY + STRESS MANAGEMENT
One of the key uses of Holy Basil is as an adaptogen, promoting mental clarity and overall stress management.

🌬️ IMMUNE SYSTEM
It is also commonly used as an immune system modulator. It helps the body adapt to the negative effects of stress by regulating cortisol levels, and has an affinity for the respiratory system.

HOW TO USE TULSI:

Although there are multiple varieties of Holy Basil or Tulsi, the most commonly used type is Rama Tulsi.

🍵 DRINK A CUP OF TULSI TEA
1 tbsp steeped in 8 oz water for 15-20 minutes

🧈 TULSI GHEE
Infuse it into ghee

☕️ ADD TULSI +
Add tulsi to a traditional chai recipe for a nourishing boost

Contraindications:
🫄 Pregnancy
🍼 Nursing
🩸 Blood thinning medications