Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Holy basil: the household remedy for coughs, colds and clarity.
Tulsi plant · Shrub · Parts: Leaf, Seed, Whole plant
- Taste (rasa)
- Pungent, bitter
- Energy (virya)
- Heating
- Balances
- Kapha, Vata
What it is used for
Benefits
- Eases cough and congestion in traditional and clinical use
- Adaptogenic support for stress and mental fog
- Antimicrobial action in the mouth and respiratory tract
How much
Dosage
2-4 fresh leaves chewed daily, or 300-600 mg extract, or one to two cups of tea.
How to take it
Preparation & usage
Tulsi kadha
Boil 10 leaves with grated ginger, 3 black peppercorns and a small piece of cinnamon in 2 cups water until halved. Add honey off the heat.
Twice daily at the first sign of a cold
Steam inhalation
Add a handful of leaves to hot water and inhale the steam under a towel.
Evening for blocked sinuses
Read this first
Precautions
- May thin the blood; caution with anticoagulants
- Avoid high doses when trying to conceive
- Do not add honey to boiling liquid
Where this comes from
Sources
Where to buy
Shop this remedy
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- Amazon USWidest choice, fast US delivery
- iHerbShips to US, UK and EU; third-party tested brands
- Banyan BotanicalsUS organic Ayurvedic specialist
If you buy, look for a batch-tested product that states the botanical name and tests for heavy metals. Check with your doctor first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding.