Top 10 Benefits of Holy Basil

Holy basil, or tulsi as it is commonly known, is such an amazing antidote to so many ailments that it is customary to worship the plant twice a day in India. It has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years and its miraculous qualities can be experienced in a plethora of ways. Check our top ten favorite benefits of holy basil; you will be so amazed at its impact on common health problems that you’ll be running out the door to grab some.

#10 Anti-Aging Agent

Nobody wants to age sooner than they have to and holy basil can be a great help to those who want to maintain their youthful looking skin as long as possible. It contains Vitamins A and C as well as phytonutrients and essential oils that act as antioxidants to help protect the body against all sorts of free radicals.

Bottom line – The Vitamin A and C in holy basil will leave your skin looking and feeling youthful for longer.

#9 Kidney Stones

A huge culprit for kidney stones is the build up of uric acid, so the fact that holy basil helps reduce uric acid levels is a key factor is minimizing the risk of developing kidney stones. If you do suffer from kidney stones, holy basil also offers pain relieving properties to ease the pain as the stones pass.

Bottom line – Holy basil provides a way to prevent kidney stones as well as pain relief if you are already suffering from them.

#8 Stress Reduction

Holy basil is full of antioxidants, such as camphene, that help soothe the nerves, lowers blood pressure and helps to reduce inflammation, all of which help in lowering stress levels. Potassium can also help lower stress caused by high blood pressure by replacing sodium and relaxing tense blood vessels.

Bottom line – A good dose of holy basil can do wonders for your stress levels. The antioxidants and vitamins found in holy basil can play a significant role in blood pressure reduction.

#7 Sensational Skin Care

Holy basil provides a side effect free way to soothe many skin conditions. This is mostly due to the fact that the essential oils in holy basil contain antibacterial, antifungal and antibiotic properties. Simply apply it directly to your skin, or add some to your bath for a more relaxing application. Rubbing the leaves on your skin can also help keep mosquitoes and other irritating insects away, thus reducing the risk of unsightly and itchy bites.

Bottom line – Whichever way you want to apply it, holy basil will help prevent skin irritations as well as soothing any pre-existing conditions.

#6 Help With Heart Disease

Vitamin C and other antioxidants found in holy basil play an important role in protecting the heart against free radicals. Components such as eugenol can also lower the level of cholesterol found in the blood, therefore minimizing the chance of developing heart disease.

Bottom line – Many of the ingredients found in holy basil protect the heart and lower cholesterol.

#5 Improve Respiratory Function

Components in holy basil such as camphene, eugenol, and cineole found in its essential oils are crucial when it comes to combatting bacterial, viral and fungal infections. These components help relieve congestion and promote smooth breathing which is vital in respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis. Holy basil can also play a part in reversing the damage caused to lungs by smoking.

Bottom line – The components of holy basil will not only help soothe symptoms of respiratory disorders but can play a miraculous role in curing them.

#4 Oral Health

Holy basil will help kill 99% of oral bacteria, helping prevent plaque buildup and tooth decay as well as acting as a great disinfectant. It can also be used as a mouth freshener, the effects of which are strong enough to last all day, nobody likes bad breath!

Bottom line – The disinfectant properties of holy basil means that it is great for combatting oral bacteria and bad breath.

#3 Boost Your Immunity

Holy basil protects against virtually all types of infections, including bacterial, viral and fungal. A small dose will help you stave off these infections in a natural and effective way.

Bottom line – The benefits of holy basil on your immune system is almost too good to be true, but it is! A small amount will be sure to keep you infection-free.

#2 Fever

Whilst fever is not actually considered an ailment, it is an indication that our body is fighting an unwanted infection and can leave us feeling under the weather. The disinfectant, germicidal and fungicidal properties found in holy basil can help combat these infections in no time. The flowers and leaves of the plant can be made into a tea and sipped on to help with the reduction of fever-inducing illnesses.

Bottom line – Holy basil will help the underlying causes of fever by treating the infection directly.

#1 Headache Help

A common headache can strike at any time, causing pain and a lack of productivity. Whether it’s caused by a migraine, sinus pressure or a common cold, holy basil can help relieve the pain and have you back on your feet in no time. Ingredients such as eugenol, camphene, and cineole all offer a sedative effect to reduce pain.

Bottom line – Holy basil provides natural pain relief from the far too common headache, with no unpleasant side effects.

The health benefits of this wonder plant are incredible, as you can see from our list. Virtually any ailment you have can be relieved with holy basil, and the best thing about it is that it is natural and so easy to use. We hope that this extensive list will have you chewing or sipping on holy basil as part of your daily routine and leave you feeling full of health and vitality!