Tulsi - "Holy Basil"
Another one of those remarkable adaptogens Life Force International has chosen for the new TruBoost energy drink is Tulsi, commonly referred to as “Holy Basil.”
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is not the same as the common Basil (Ocimum basilicum) plant, which is used heavily in cooking.
In India, Tulsi has been in use for thousands of years and is highly regarded – being their most sacred herb. The Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving Tulsi plants or leaves is not the topic of focus here, but the health properties or health promoting potential of the plant are.
Tulsi is renowned for its restorative powers, and is rich in antioxidants. The plant has a highly complex chemisty, containing hundreds of beneficial compounds known as phytochemicals (plant-derived chemical compounds).
“Holy Basil has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine for the mind and nervous system. It lifts the spirits while increasing clarity of thought and dispelling depression. Traditionally it is used for cloudy thinking caused by drug use. This adaptogenic spice reduces mental fog associated with drug use, menopause and chronic stress. It is also antiviral, a carminative and a galactagogue.” – David Winston
Benefits of Tulsi:
- Relieves stress / adaptogen
- Bolsters immunity
- Enhances stamina
- Provides support during cold season
- Promotes healthy metabolism
- A natural immuno-modulator
Dr. Ralph Miller, former Director of Research for the Canadian National Department of Health and Welfare had this to say about his discovery of holy basil:
“When I was first introduced to the sacred Tulsi some years back, my first reaction, as a Western scientist, was disbelief. This can’t be so, I thought. This herb sounds too good to be true. There seemed to be far more wide-ranging health benefits attributed to this plant than could be possible for a single agent. Yet, I realized that there must be a compelling reason why Tulsi has, for thousands of years, remained one of the most cherished of India’s sacred healing plants. In addition to being a pillar of the traditional Ayurvedic holistic health system, Tulsi continues to be honored daily by millions. So, it really can’t be much of a surprise to discover that modern science is accumulating evidence in support of many of the traditional health promotion and disease treatment uses of Tulsi.” -
Some of the recent science research studies suggest that Tulsi may be an effective treatment for diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels. It also has been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels. It has demonstrated some promise for protection from radiation poisoning and cataracts, as well as acting like many modern painkillers, due to its high concentration of eugenol.
Has LFI made a good choice in Ashwagandha and Tulsi derivatives for TruBoost? In the next post we will explore more about how these adaptogens in TruBoost work dynamically together.
