Introduction:
Holy basil is commonly or colloquially called Tulasi in Sanskrit or Tulsi in Hindi. It is a perennial flowering plant that is known to every Indian household. It hails from the mint family called Lamiaceae. Though this plant is native to the Indian subcontinent, it now grows throughout several regions of Southeast Asia. There are several types of holy basil and these supplements are imported worldwide by the pharmaceutical industry. Tulsi or the holy basil has been popularised and is used as an adaptogenic herb for several centuries. Though many purported benefits may not be supported clearly by scientific evidence in medical literature, it has been used widely in some traditional alternative and ayurvedic medicine forms. It helps to cure the clinical symptoms of many chronic systemic conditions. The purported benefits are claimed in the Ayurvedic and Siddha medical systems and are mainly known or attributed for their ability to treat a range of health conditions and have numerous healing properties. According to some researchers, it has the potency to fight against bacterial or viral infections to boost immunity.
What Are the Different Varieties of Holy Basil Available?
The Ocimum tenuiflorum or the Ocimum sanctum species that is referred to as the holy basil may further be divided based on its leaf consistency, which one can observe or see upon purchase as follows:
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Rama or Sri Tulsi: This type of holy basil possesses only rich green leaves
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Krishna or Shyama Tulsi: This type of holy basil plant possesses only purple-colored leaves.
Apart from these two species, another species of holy basil also exists (uncommonly in the commercial markets) which is known as Ocimum gratissimum. This species of holy basil is limited only to the forests and is known in India as Vana Tulsi (wild forest tulsi) which possesses rich and dark green colored leaves.
What Is the Adaptogenic Action of Holy Basil?
Adaptogens are herbs, roots, or other plant parts. These are the substances that mainly aid in the body's potency to regulate or manage stress, such as restoring the normal systemic balance right after an individual encounters a mentally stressful situation.
The exact way or mechanism by which holy basil works in the body has not been elucidated by scientific evidence till now. It is important to note that holy basil consumption is certainly beneficial to health. Its supplements that are consumed by many individuals need much more investigation and scientific research at this point, which is deemed necessary by global nutrition experts.
Amongst its mechanisms are its effects on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) pathways that are naturally existent in our body. It may help act as an adaptogenic exactly regulating the body's stressors and preventing systemic stress.
What Is the Composition of Holy Basil Supplements?
The users of holy basil supplements need to be aware that their long-term efficacy or effects on the human body have inconclusive scientific evidence and safety concerns as well. Its active ingredients in the supplements marketed globally usually comprise, eugenol, ursolic acid, beta-caryophyllene, linalool, and 1,8-cineole. All these forms of tulsi or holy basil can be easily utilized for add-ons to teas or soups or even to daily foods (like Indian culinary chefs commonly do). In the United States or most of the countries, it is available as an adaptogenic herb or over-the-counter as a supplement as well. However only a registered Ayurvedic or Siddha professional can suggest the dose correctly required for therapeutic purposes. Its safety concerns even as supplements have been questioned by global nutrition experts, due to limited research evidence or facts.
What Are the Complications?
Safety considerations should particularly be exercised for high-risk groups before consuming any tulsi or holy basil supplements. These groups to exercise caution are:
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Pregnancy.
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Mothers who are breastfeeding.
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Young children.
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Individuals with low blood pressure or those on blood pressure medications.
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Individuals taking blood thinners.
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Individuals on relaxants, cholesterol-lowering, diabetes medications, or other immune system-boosting medications.
Holy basil supplements are certainly known to interact with blood pressure or diabetic medications or even with cholesterol medications. In individuals taking anti-hypertensive drugs such as Hydrochlorothiazide, holy basil supplement interaction can cause very low blood pressure and can cause the hypertensive patient to experience symptoms of dizziness or fainting. Similarly, in some animal studies, holy basil has shown interactions with blood-thinning medications and may interfere with the absorption of drugs. Similar effects have also been shown in animal models with sleep-inducing medications such as Zolpidem. This supplement is usually contraindicated in thyroid patients as well, especially in hypothyroidism because it may worsen the clinical symptoms by decreasing thyroxine hormone levels.
Individuals with any previous history of allergy to the mint family may experience allergies to holy basil consumption as well. If a person experiences symptoms of dizziness, skin hives, rashes, or difficulty breathing after eating holy basil or consuming its supplement, the condition must be reported to a registered healthcare professional or an allergist.
How to Consume It?
Holy basil can be best consumed after freshly washing the leaves. Just take a leaf or two to rejuvenate the palate with its minty flavors or one can use it for brewing teas by adding its leaves, flowers, or dried herbs (around two to three teaspoons) into a cup of boiling water and then allow it to steep for five to seven minutes. It can also be used for garnishing for its color and minty flavor. They are also available commercially as liquids, powders, or tea bags.
Conclusion:
Holy basil is one of the most popular herbs that has been a part of the traditional Ayurvedic medicine system in India. However, its long-term safety concerns are more, and scientific evidence regarding its benefits is less. Individuals with any medical history or those who belong to the above enlisted high-risk groups should consult their registered healthcare professionals such as a nutritionist, dietitian, or physician to first check whether holy basil supplements are appropriate for them. If the doctor prescribes or recommends the use of holy basil supplement medications, it is important to exercise caution in these high-risk groups. It is necessary to carefully evaluate and personalize the dosage of the supplement, taking into consideration the long-term safety of the individual.
