BeWell Bohemia Herbs & Things
Herbal Monograph, by Brooke Criswell
Holy basil, tulsi - Ocimum tenuiflorum
Tulsi and holy basil are
common names for Ocimum tenuiflorum, the plant formerly known as Ocimum
sanctum. Tulsi, a member of the mint (Lamiaceae) family, charms with gentle
purple blooms, soft green leaves, and a soothing scent. Though tropical in
origin, tulsi grows well in temperate climes; Last summer I purchased the only 2
plants I could find (and I scoured the local garden centers). At the end of
summer, I successfully transitioned one tulsi plant in a pot indoors over-wintered
in a sunny window. The plants, though small, due to the size of the container,
reseeded themselves generously.
The delicate purple
flower of tulsi blooms throughout the summer and is a friend to bees. Tulsi’s
delightful scent is as much noted in leaf as in bloom. Of a sunny summer day, I
love to pluck a few leaves or flower and steep in water for a enlivening, yet
relaxing tea. I find having my own plant the best way to enjoy the brew. I am
not a fan of bagged tulsi tea; however, I thoroughly enjoy a cup made from the
fresh or dried leaves from I have tended with care and appreciation.
In India, tulsi is
considered a sacred plant, thus the common name ‘holy basil’. Folks who revere
tulsi as a sacred plant often grow a plant near an entrance or in a central
terrace. The plant provides the home, the family, with goodwill, protection,
and a connection to the divine.
The scent of the tulsi
plant is distinct, lovely, sweet, and pungent. Brushing or crushing the leaves
releases the scents, and on warm windy days the aroma is carried on the wind. I
find even the scent calming and soothing.
The plant makes a
delicious tea, both when hot and when cold. If you have a plant in your garden
or in a pot near your door, simply pick some leaves to make a fresh brew. In
the high summer, a sun tea of tulsi is a pleasure. Once it is steeped, drink it
warm or over ice.
The purple blooms of the
tulsi provide nectar for pollinators, and beauty for the eye. I am looking
forward to expanding from two potted tulsi plants, as I grew last summer, to an
entire bed of tulsi this year. Think of all the seeds I will be able to save!
Garden Use
Growing Conditions
Tulsi originates from
India, so you can understand why it likes heat and sun. Be sure to await
transplanting until after the last frost date. Tulsi will thrive in a sunny
spot and a warm location. Tulsi grows best after the soil is 70 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Preferences
- Full sun
- Warm soil
- Enjoys humid conditions
Plant details
Tulsi flowers abundantly throughout the summer,
and as such is a boon to bees and pollinators.
Grows to 2 ft tall and
bushy
Companion Planting
Affiliations
Tulsi blooms draw
pollinators to the garden benefiting other plants present.
Care notes
Strictly Medicinal
Seeds, a nursery specializing in herbal and vegetables seeds and plants,
advises “do not overwater, and make sure there is good air exchange to keep the
plant healthy. Space plants 2 feet apart.”1
Tulsi may be grown
successfully in the container, though unless the container is of sufficient
size the growth will be limited to pot size. When in a pot, be sure to water
sufficiently without overwatering - allow soil to dry to touch between watering.
If you have a tulsi in a
pot, you may overwinter in a bright spot in doors.
Herbal Use
Tulsi is a plant of many
aspects. In addition to its beauty in the garden, it offers much to the body.
With a long history of use in Ayurvedic practice and is gaining popularity in
America. The plant acts on the body in a manner that decreases inflammation
response, helpful to address the chronic pain associated with inflammation. Tulsi
also strengthens digestion, supports blood sugar regulation system in the body,
explains herbalist Maria Noel Groves in her book Body into Balance.2
Scientific study bears
out the many attributes of tulsi, according to a 2013 article published in Nutr
Cancer, a peer-reviewed medical journal covering research on the role of
nutritional factors in causing or preventing cancer. The article states,
“[Tulsi] possess antiinflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antidiabetic,
hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, antistress, and immunomodulatory activities.”3 You may be thinking, ‘I am not versed in these medical terms,
what is the list saying?” In a word the list says that tulsi is great, or more
specifically, in addition to impacting the inflammation process, tulsi has pain
relieving, fever reducing, blood sugar regulating, liver protecting, lipid
regulating, stress mitigating, immune modulating activities.
Obviously, the effects
are influenced by the tissue state and constitution of the individual, situation,
and other factors. Nonetheless, the impacts of tulsi on the body are
measurable.
Adding tulsi to your
routines, regimes, rituals and repertoire offers abundant value.
Parts Used -
Leaves and flowers
Harvest by cutting
stem tops. Dry the plant on screens in a well-ventilated area out of sunlight.
To separate stems from leaves, rub the stems on a screen; save shredded leaves
in airtight container, compost stems.
When to Harvest
·
Harvest in an as used
manner - harvest what you will use in the moment
·
Harvest in large amount
twice in growing season as herb flowers
How to Prepare
v As a cooking spice
Ø Add dried or fresh dishes while cooking, as you
would basil
Ø Sprinkle leaves over a salad
Ø Infuse olive oil
1. Fill a clean mason, or other glass jar, ⅔ full
with dried herb*
2. Cover plant material with olive oil
3. Lid jar to seal tightly
4. Place jar in space where you will easily access
5. Shake jar contents once daily
6. Allow to sit for 4 weeks
7. Strain and use oil as you would olive oil
*(if you use fresh plant
material, the water ratio is higher and decreases the shelf life of the infused
oil and increases the risk of mold growth. You can make it with fresh herb,
just consider making a smaller batch you can use within a couple weeks, and
watch for the material going off if any microbes are introduced to the
menstruum)
v As a tea
Infuse the aerial parts
of marjoram (leaves, flowers) in boiling water to extract many of the
beneficial constituents. The flavor is sweet and spicy.
1.
Boil water
2.
Place 2 tsp of fresh
marjoram or 1 tsp of dried herb per 8 oz water into teapot, press, thermos, or
mason jar
3.
Pour boiling water over
blooms
4.
Cover (this is very
important, for if uncovered the constituents will rise with the steam, and you
will have a less flavorful, less potent cup of chamomile tea)
5.
Allow to steep for 10
minutes
6.
Strain and Enjoy!
Tulsi blends well with many herbs, both in
flavor and in action. Making a relaxing and carminative (gas relieving) blend
including lemon balm and tulsi that synergistically fosters the following list
of impacts, according a summer 2017 issue of Herb Quarterly article,
“Carminative Herbs”:
- Calms the nerves
- Uplifts the spirit
- Provides stress support
- Provides deep energy
- Support focus5
v As an infused water or seltzer
A refreshing delight on
a summer day, a seltzer or an infused water are served chilled. Follow the
recipe from the same “Carminative Herbs” article referenced above to try your
hand at a tasty beverage treat. 5
Steep the herbs in room
temperature or cold water - a mason jar with a lid works excellent as the
container, but any glass jar will do (with a lid)
a.
Carbonated water for a
seltzer
b.
Still (flat) water for
an infused water
c.
Either way, be sure the
container has a lid to hold in flavor, aroma, and constituents as the water is
infused
Recipe:
1. Place 1 tsp of dried tulsi leaf and flower
(per 8 oz water) into mason jar
2. Add organic rose petals (up to 1 tsp per 8
oz)
3. Pour cold water over herbs
4. Place lid on container
5. Infuse at least 20 minutes
Strain, serve and enjoy.
You can leave the herbs in the water and serve by pouring through a strainer
into a glass, or serve from a glass container with spigot, or use a bombilla (a
straw with a mesh end)
v As a support to yoga practice
Not only do the Hindi
revere and value tulsi, yogi also have a special regard for tulsi. If you have
an interest in yoga, holistically, consider what Prashanti de Jagar had to say
about tulsi in an article in LA Yoga Magazine, “Tulsi is one of the most
important herbs for yoga practitioners, along with anyone who wants a brighter
and more sattvic mind, a stronger expansive heart, greater resilience to all
forms of stress, and a sharper and more astute immune system.”4
Cautions/Considerations
Rarely, tulsi can aggravate reflux.
Bibliography
1.
“Tulsi, Krishna - Holy
Basil, Shyama Tulasi (Ocimum Tenuiflorum) Potted Plant, Organic.” Strictly
Medicinal Seeds, 12 Apr. 2019,
strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/tulsi-krishna-holy-basil-shyama-tulasi-ocimum-tenuiflorum-potted-plant-organic/.
2.
Groves, Maria Noel. Body
Into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care. Storey Publishing,
2016.
3.
Baliga, Manjeshwar
Shrinath, et al. “Ocimum SanctumL (Holy Basil or Tulsi) and Its Phytochemicals
in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer.” Nutrition and Cancer, vol.
65, no. sup1, 2013, pp. 26–35., doi:10.1080/01635581.2013.785010.
4.
Jagar, Prashanti de.
“Growing Holy Tulsi.” LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health, 11 Apr.
2013, layoga.com/food-home/herbs-spice/growing-holy-tulsi/.
5.
Groves, Maria Noel.
“Carminative Herbs.” Herb Quarterly, 2017, pp. 20–22.
Additional Resources
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