Introducing Liquid Yoga
Tulsi or Holy Basil is also known in Ayurveda as the “Queen of Herbs,” “The Incomparable One,” and “Elixir of Life”
Imagine if you could get many benefits of practicing yoga, but instead in a bottle. Say goodbye to stress and anxiety and say hello to calm, focus, and peace.
(Of course, Tulsi does not take the place of Yoga best benefits would come from including yoga or other physical and mental practices along with the herb.)
In Hinduism, Tulsi is worshiped as a goddess. The plant is considered sacred, hence the Latin name, Ocimum sanctum. Hindi households are considered incomplete if they lack a Tulsi plant. This is used for both practical and ceremonial purposes. (For one thing, its aroma helps to keep bugs away.)
Tulsi is even used in Hinduism and some Greek Orthodox Churches to make “holy water.”
Let’s dive deeper to see the amazing qualities that earned this plant the name, the “Elixir of Life” and so much more…
The Benefits of Supplementing Tulsi
Daily consumption of Tulsi promotes general health, well-being, and longevity.* As an adaptogen, it helps you to deal with the stresses of daily life.*
Per Ayurveda, “Tulsi is also credited with giving luster to the complexion, sweetness to the voice and fostering beauty, intelligence, stamina and a calm emotional disposition.”* 1
It is said to penetrate deep tissues and dry tissue secretions. For the doshas in Ayurveda, Tulsi is considered to normalize kapha and vata.
It has a wide range of health benefits, including:
- Antimicrobial*
- Anti-oxidant*
- Inflammation modulating*
- Radioprotective*
- Hepato-protective*
- Neuro-protective*
- Cardio-protective*
- Gastro-protective*
- Blood sugar protective*
- Immunomodulatory*
- Nootropic*
- Wound Repair*
- And more
Protection and Repair against “Toxicant Stress” and More
Tulsi appears to work by “increasing the body’s levels of antioxidant molecules such as glutathione and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase”.* 1
It helps to reduce DNA damage and induce cellular apoptosis when and where needed.* Furthermore, Tulsi has been shown to enhance the activity of liver detoxification enzymes.* 1
Research has shown that Tulsi protects against the toxic effects of industrial chemicals, pesticides, drugs, and heavy metals such as:* 1
- Butylparaben
- Carbon tetrachloride
- Copper sulfate
- Ethanol
- Rogor
- Chlorpyrifos
- Endosulfan
- Lindane
- Acetaminophen
- Meloxicam
- Paracetamol
- Haloperidol
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Mercury
It’s also shown to protect against the toxic effects of radiation.*1
It’s not just chemicals and radiation, either. These same capabilities are active against many physical stressors.
Numerous human trials found the average effects of reduced fasting glucose levels and normalized HbA1c. * 1
Immune-Support and Adaptogenic Effects
Tulsi has shown antimicrobial action. This includes all of the following: antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antimalarial, and anthelmintic.* 1
It’s immune-support and adaptogenic effects have shown boosted defenses across a wide variety of infective threats.* 1
A double-blind place-controlled trial tested an ethanol extract of Tulsi for its immunomodulatory effects. After four weeks, the Tulsi group had significantly increased levels of Interleukin-2, Interferon-gamma, T-helper cells, and natural-killer cells, all critical parts of the immune system’s defenses.* 2
Mood Support & Emotional Well-being
Another human trial looked at Tulsi’s effects on generalized anxiety. Those taking Tulsi have significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress.* 3
Still, one more study looked at general stress. It found the people taking Tulsi, compared to the placebo, had fewer total stress symptoms, including forgetfulness, sexual problems, feelings of exhaustion, and sleep problems. In addition, no adverse events were reported.* 4
Eugenol and the Many Other Constituents Inside
Tulsi leaves are rich primarily in eugenol. This essential oil and other volatiles will come out in the tincture as fresh plant material is used.
Many of the previous effects mentioned are attributed to this compound. For instance, Eugenol functions “ include competitively preventing the binding of glucose to serum albumin and inhibiting the conversion of complex carbohydrate to glucose.”* 5
And there’s still more. Eugenol exhibited a synergistic action with chemo treatments in cancer patients, where drug toxicity to healthy cells was reduced.* 6
Other compounds include:
- Ursolic acid
- Apigenin
- Caryophyllene
- Carvacrol
- Cirsimaritin
- Estragole
- Linalool
- Oleanolic acid
- Rosemarinic acid
- Ocimene
- Germacrene
- Limatrol
In addition, it contains a variety of essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Improved Testosterone Yet Anti-Fertility?!?
This study needs to be covered here, as it will raise some questions. A small study on male albino rabbits showed that Tulsi supplementation decreased sperm count, FSH, and LH, while increasing testosterone levels.*7
This does show some evidence for the Ayurvedic reputation of using Tulsi for an antifertility effect.*
Note that Testosterone raised so high as to exceed the maximum recordable limit. Meanwhile, LH dropped down to undetectable. What does that mean? Possibly some contamination or otherwise poor laboratory practice.
In any case, this is a single rabbit study, so it shouldn’t necessarily be taken to mean the same will happen for you. Unfortunately, there isn’t much other science in this area. (But we’d love to hear from you if you do before and after hormone testing when taking Tulsi.)
About Our Tulsi Quality
There are multiple varieties of Tulsi, all used for these benefits:
- Rama or Sri Tulsi – Green Leaves
- Krishna or Shyama Tulsi – Purple Leaves
- Vana or Wild/Forest Tulsi – Dark Green Leaves
Our spagyric tincture is made with the Vana or Wild/Forest Tulsi.
As mentioned earlier, Tulsi leaves are rich primarily in eugenol and other volatile components. These will come out quite readily in the tincture as fresh plant material is used.
Our Tulsi is biodynamically and organically farmed (but without certification, as it’s a small operation). It’s brought to you by the same people that bring our Ashwagandha, Blue Vervain and Nettle Root Spagyric Tinctures.
This is spagyrically prepared, meaning using some laboratory alchemical steps to purify the “body” or “salts” of Tulsi, which are then added back to the tincture to yield a more potent and refined herbal preparation.
Tastes and Dosages
According to Ayurveda, Tulsi tastes hot and bitter. Our tincture had a somewhat pleasant floral taste to it as well.
Our recommended dose is one serving (30 drops) twice per day. You may modify this up or down as you or your health practitioner best sees fit.
Tulsi will likely not be stimulating or sedative. Therefore you should be able to take it any time in the day.
Contraindications
Tulsi has some evidence of being anti-zygotic, anti-implantation, and an abortifacient, so pregnant women should not use it.
As mentioned, there may be an antifertility effect, so it is best to avoid it for anyone looking to get pregnant.
Otherwise, Tulsi seems to have an excellent safety profile.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.