Read To Learn About The 20 Health Benefits of Tulsi

Tulsi, one of the oldest and most revered herbs in human history, holds a wealth of healing properties cherished across the globe. Known as Holy Basil, it is sacred in Hinduism and revered as the 'Goddess of Devotion' in Indian households. Tulsi is not only cultivated for religious purposes but also for its medicinal benefits and essential oil, widely utilized in Ayurveda.

Beyond its spiritual significance, Tulsi leaves play a significant role in culinary practices. Apart from enhancing flavor, these leaves are believed to preserve and augment the properties of the food they are added to. From promoting a healthy gut to bolstering immunity, the advantages of Tulsi leaves are plentiful.

Intriguingly, Tulsi leaves' benefits extend far beyond its spiritual connotations. This remarkable herb offers a myriad of health benefits, making it a valued addition to both religious rituals and everyday life. Let's uncover the holistic benefits of Tulsi, reaching beyond its spiritual symbolism.

# Reduce Anxiety

Studies have suggested that taking a daily extract of holy basil after your meal could help to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression in people with an anxiety disorder.

# Reduces Dental Plaque

Research has also shown that using a mouthwash that contains shows that using a mouthwash containing 4% holy basil extract twice a day can help reduce plaque buildup which helps to reduce your risk of gingivitis, and advanced form of gum disease.

# Diabetes

Some early research has also suggested that taking holy basil leaf extract once a day can help to manage your blood sugar, which means a great health benefit of tulsi is that can help manage type two diabetes.

# Protect Open Wounds Against Infection

Certain extracts taken from tulsi leaves are thought to help speed up wound healing and protect your wounds from infection. This is because they have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. They also help to reduce inflammation and pain.

# Lower Your Cholesterol

Since holy basil helps to target metabolic stress, which makes it great for tackling weight loss and high cholesterol levels. In fact, studies have found that eating fresh holy basil leaves significantly helps to lower the level of bad cholesterol in your blood.

# Ease Joint Pain

Drinking a tea infused with tulsi leaves can significantly help to reduce inflammation in your joints. This helps make movement easier and reduces joint pain. It’s especially useful for people who suffer from arthritis.

# Protect Your Stomach

Holy basil is known to help ease stomach pain and protect your stomach from a number of conditions, including stress-induced stomach ulcers. Consuming holy basil leaves helps to protect your stomach health by decreasing excess stomach acid, improving mucous production and secretion.

# Anti-Inflammatory Effects

The oil that can be extracted from tulsi leaves has strong anti-inflammatory effects. This helps to protect your body from a number of different diseases and conditions, including coronary heart disease. The oil is so effective that it’s been found to work as well as a 10-microM concentration of ibuprofen.

# Improves Cognitive Function

Animal studies have shown that tulsi promotes memory and attention by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters like acetylcholine in your brain. As a result, it is thought that holy basil may help to reduce the risk of age-related brain conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

# Improved Heart Health

The alcohol that can be extracted from tulsi leaves has been known to reduce inflammation in the tissues of the human heart. This helps to keep your heart healthy and reduces the risk of heart attacks. It is thought that this is as a result of the high phenol content in the leaves.

It also helps to prevent oxidation which could otherwise result in the buildup or plaque around your heart and in the surrounding blood vessels. Consuming the oil from tulsi leaves has also been shown to help lower the bad cholesterol in your blood, which will further protect your heart.

# Protects Your Liver

Consuming the alcohol extracted from holy basil leaves can actually help to protect your liver from toxins, helping it to stay healthy and function properly.

# Antioxidant Properties

The strong antioxidant capacity in the essential oil extracted from holy basil leaves helps to protect your cells from oxidative damage. This helps to keep your cells healthy and reduce the risk of a number of different health conditions, making its antioxidant properties one of the biggest health benefits of holy basil.

# Reduces Pain

Animal studies have shown that the extract of holy basil leaves can work as a pain reliever. This is likely to help with pain, no matter what is the cause of it.

# Clears Candida Overgrowth

Another health benefit of holy basil is that it helps to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans. This is because it contains eugenol, which is well known for its ability to fight against candida overgrowth. This should be able to help with both oral and vaginal candida.

# Increases Immune Function

Daily consumption of a 300 mg capsule of tulsi leaf extract can significantly help to boost your immune system by increasing the activity of the killer T-cells. Consume the extract each day for a four-week period and you should find that your immune function improves.

# Reduces the Risk of Anti-Cancer

A review study of tulsi’s anti-cancer properties showed that its antioxidant properties can help to reduce the risk of skin, lung and breast cancer. It’s also thought to be effective for protecting against liver and stomach cancer.

# Protects Against Radiation

Tulsi contains two types of antioxidant which are well known to protect your cells from radiation damage.

# Accelerates Bone Healing

Consuming holy basil extract can significantly reduce the time taken to heal bones after a break of fracture. This is because it helps to increase calcium uptake which improves bone calcification. As a result, your bones are able to repair themselves faster.

# Anti-Bacterial

The oil extracted from holy basil leaves have shown strong antibacterial effects and can help fight against even antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It has been shown to be effective against Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Pseudomonas bacteria. In fact, one study suggested that tulsi extract was as effective as penicillin against the bacteria which causes gonorrhea.

# Anti-Viral

As well as being effective against bacteria, holy basil has an added health benefit of anti-viral properties too. It has been found to be effective in tackling the virus responsible for cold sores and Swine Flu.