Chill with Holy Basil

I was sitting in class a couple weeks ago when I heard a classmate mention that she uses Holy Basil tea to help her with anxiety. Obviously, my ears perked up, and I thought… what the heck is that?

I was curious, but upon hearing that it helps with anxiety and can be made as a tea, I was all in. Over the next few days I kept my eyes peeled, and when I found it, I couldn’t wait to get it home and put the kettle on.

I’m always interested in natural remedies to help ease anxiety and stress, and I do believe that small rituals such as making a cup of tea before bed at night can help greatly.

I steeped it, added a squeeze of lemon and some cashew milk. The taste is strong, almost medicinal, but for that I liked it. If it’s potent, it has to “work” right?

I can only speak briefly of my own experience as it has been short lived, but I have been enjoying my new ritual of having a cup of Holy Basil tea every night before bed. That cup of tea, to me, feels like one big exhale.

Holy Basil, also called Tulsi, is a herb native to India. It has many applications from being used to help with respiratory infections, oral health, and as previously mentioned, anxiety and stress. It also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

It has also been shown to support the normalization of blood-glucose levels, and also to improve memory and cognitive function, all of which can help support someone dealing with anxiety and stress.

Because of it’s vast and various benefits, this tea is actually suitable for everyone. But for me and my anxiety peeps, it’s an especially good addition to the list of things to help us cope!

Did I peak anyone’s interest in trying this tea? Let me know in the comments!

Cohen MM .Tulsi – Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons.J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014 Oct-Dec;5(4):251-9. doi: 10.4103/0975-9476.146554.

Kamyab AA, Eshraghian A. Anti-Inflammatory, gastrointestinal and hepatoprotective effects of Ocimum sanctum Linn: an ancient remedy with new application. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets. 2013 Dec;12(6):378-84.