Tulsi, also known as Sacred Basil, Holy Basil or in latin Ocimum sanctum,  is one plant that I use in my daily life and in my practice for many reasons and is one of the few non-native or naturalized plants that I use. It does grow quite nicely in upstate New York , but must be brought in when Fall comes, or the seeds saved for the next season.  I was introduced to Tulsi several years ago when I was in class taught by Kate Gilday on the use of Ayurveda as a healing modality and I fell in love with the taste and smell of Tulsi immediately. I had used Italian or Sweet Basil for years, but had never heard of Sacred Basil. Kate had it growing in her garden and so I tried growing it my self and have been very successful. It is an annual so I save my seeds from year to year and start it indoors each Spring as it is not particularly fond of cold or frost.

 

 

 

I use Tulsi myself mostly as a tea because I’m addicted to the stimulating effects of caffeine, but have a tenuous relationship with it, due to chronic adrenal stress/burn-out. Tulsi oxygenates the brain by improving cerebral circulation  producing a feeling of centeredness and a greater ability to cognize, but with a soothing and calming effect. I have read contradictory energetic descriptions of Tulsi some saying that is bitter and cooling and others saying it is energetically warm, pungent, and sweet. I was taught that it is warm, but my body always tells me cold or at least neutral. There is definitely an underlying pungency that could perhaps work in a heating manner, although the fever reducing effects would indicate a cooling action.

 

 

 

 

Tulsi is also known to decrease symptoms of imbalance in vata and kapha, but increase pitta. I love the feeling of peaceful focus that I gain from my Tulsi tea and I drink it daily and especially when I have writing to do or work that requires a clear, steady mind.

  

Tulsi has and interesting ethno history. It is a sacred plant in India and is considered the physical manifestation of Krishna. It is considered Sattvic, meaning that it brings pure light and open heartedness. It is believed to give love, devotion, faith, compassion, help in opening to the divine.  I was taught, in my Plant Spirit Medicine training with Pam Montgomery, to put the essential oil on the base of my neck for protection from unwanted spiritual or energetic influences and, in India, a Tulsi plant is placed in the center of home for purification.

 

 

Tulsi is considered an adaptogen, meaning that it brings strength and balance to the body especially after prolonged periods of emotional or physical stress. In other words, it increases the body’s ability to adapt to the effects of all types of internal or external negative forces. I have used it in many formulas with clients who are dealing with a variety of chronic illness. I have had huge success with people who are struggling with bi-polar disorder, particularly if there is past or present marijuana abuse or any addiction, for that matter. It is said to break down the residue in the brain that is caused from overuse of marijuana and reduce any feeling of brain “fog”. I have seen first hand where people who were stuck and not growing personally have been able to quit their addiction and begin to move forward while using Tulsi in their formulas or as a daily tea. I have found that emotional addictions should also be included in this, as cyclical patterns of anger, self-pity, helplessness, etc. can be just as damaging to health and well-being as drug or food addictions.  I also love to use Tulsi for certain types of depression, and again it seems to be appropriate when an individual is feeling oppressed by a situation and they are too exhausted to connect with their own creative ability to negotiate life’s circumstances. 

 

Tulsi is widely available as a powder from almost any Ayurvedic retailer and in powdered or in the dried/cut and sifted form that I use for tea from Jeans Greens. It is easy to grow in gardens, depending on your climate. I know it does quite nice in my sandy loam during our hot, humid New York summers. I have also known of friends who grow it all year inside in pots, but I have not had any success with this as of yet. Good quality seeds are available from Horizon Herbs.

 

Sources: 

               The Yoga of Herbs by Dr. David Frawley and Dr Vasant Lad

               The One Earth Herbal Source Book by Alan Keith Tillotson

               Adaptogens by David Winston and Steven Maimes