Have you heard of Ayurveda? It is a natural healing method from India, which originated over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda is Sanskrit for “the science of life,” and Western homeopathy is thought to be derived from this practice. Ayurveda encourages preventative medicine and the use of natural substances, including herbs. Practitioners recommend holy basil, also known as tulsi. However, it isn’t just holy basil with medicinal effects. Sweet basil also can help heal your body as well. (1, 2)
Holy Basil
In an interview with Times Now News, Dr. Manoj Kutteri spoke on basil as the most powerful herb in the medicinal practice of Ayurveda. Holy basil has properties such as antioxidants, antiseptics, antivirals, and Vitamin C. Dr. Kutteri is the Wellness Director of Atmantan Wellness Centre. “For viral infections like cold, flu, etc, medicinal tulsi leaves can be a perfect solution to fight through viral infections, increase immunity and recover from infections,” he says. Additionally, making a medicinal basil tea, or ingesting foods with basil as an ingredient, can help as an immune booster and preventative measure. (2)
Basil In The Lungs
Sweet Basil
It’s not just holy basil. “Basil or sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is cultivated throughout India and is known for its medicinal value,” according to one abstract.
A study conducted in December 2019 tested the effects of extracts of basil leaves on the lungs of rats, to see if basil could be used in treating lung diseases. Their results found that the “effects of O. basilicum on pathological changes, immunological and inflammatory markers . . . suggests the therapeutic potential of the plant in asthma.” (3, 4)
Holy Basil
According to Parmeet Kaur, Senior Dietician of the Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, drinking tulsi tea every day can act to soothe a dry cough. New Dehli TV’s Food division reports that tulsi’s “antiseptic and analgesic properties [can] help cure many problems including dry cough . . . allergic bronchitis, asthma and other lung diseases in no time.” Additionally, tulsi possesses “immunomodulatory (to enhance immunity) and antitussive (relieves cough) properties that provide relief in the respiratory system. In fact, it has certain oils that may clear the congestion.” (5)
Fighting Viruses and Infections
Dr. Kutteri’s comments on the antiviral properties of basil leaves sing their praises, but he expands. “Chewing on one fresh medicinal tulsi leaf daily . . . fight[s] through viral infections,” he suggests. He says that basil, in all its forms “can help boost your immunity and provide some relief.”
New Dehli TV says that “in Ayurvedic tradition[,] Holy basil, or tulsi, leaves are widely used to prepare desi concoctions to treat microbial infections and boost immunity.” (2, 5)
Additional Properties of Basil
Sweet basil “leaf extract was highly effective in inhibiting carcinogen-induced tumor incidence in both the tumor models at peri-initiational level,” according to a study on the effects of this herb on mice. Furthermore, basil leaf extract remains “associated with detoxification.” Basil proves “very effective in elevating antioxidant enzyme response.”
Parmeet Kaur says that tulsi “has [the ability to] protect organs and tissues against chemical and physical stress.”
Additionally, he says it “is rich in nutrients such as Vitamin K.” (2, 3)
