Proven Health Benefits for Tulsi aka Basil

Proven Health Benefits for Tulsi aka Basil

Holy Basil or Tulsi, the most prominent herb in the Indian subcontinent, is known as the Queen of Herbs and its ability to promote long life and help the body deal with stress. The stem, leaves, root, flowers, and seeds are been used in Ayurveda for the past few centuries. It is also used in cooking traditional dishes and can be taken as a fresh leaf, dried powder or as an herbal tea.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Tulsi helps fight inflammation, and aids in treating ailments like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Read the health benefits of Tulsi aka Holy Basil below.

Boost Immunity Level: Tulsi is used for treating common cold and fever. you can either chew the Tulsi leaves or boil some tulsi leaves in water and drink it. Basil is effective in treating asthma, allergic bronchitis, and other diseases caused due to a weakened immune system. The extracts of Tulsi leaves can be used to heal wounds and to protect from any potential infection.

Good for Heart: The flavonoids present in Tulsi reduces the risks of platelets forming clots on the arterial walls, which helps prevents heart attacks, cardiac disorders and coronary heart disease. The leaves of Tulsi helps increase good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol.

Fights Cancer: The extracts of basil contains radioprotective properties, which help destroy the tumor cells present in the body. Tulsi contains eugenol (having anticancer property) and phytochemicals such as luteolin, myretenal, rosmarinic acid, and apigenin which helps prevent different forms of cancer.

Helps Lose Weight: The 2 major factors for weight gain, i.e, blood cholesterol and blood glucose, can be lowered using Tulsi. Drinking Tulsi water will help in reducing weight gain and moreover, it also reduces the stress hormone – cortisol, which can induce weight gain.

Treats a Sore Throat: Boil the Tulsi leaves in water and gargle while it is warm. This herb is an excellent remedy for a sore throat and for respiratory ailments.

Regulates Blood Sugar Levels: Basil has anti-diabetic activity and helps in supporting blood sugar regulation, especially with patients with type 2 diabetes. Triterpenes, saponins, and flavonoids, the phytochemical compounds in tulsi, are responsible for its hypoglycemic effect.