Holy Basil Extract

Holy basil is a plant. It is originally from India and is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an “adaptogen” to counter life’s stresses. It is considered a sacred plant by the Hindus and is often planted around Hindu shrines. The Hindu name for holy basil, Tulsi, means "the incomparable one." Medicine is made from the leaves, stems, and seeds.

Holy basil is used for the  influenza, diabetes, asthma,bronchitis, earache,headache, stomach upset,heart disease,  fever, viral hepatitis, malaria stress, and tuberculosis. It is also used for mercury poisoning, to promote longevity, as a mosquito repellent, and to counteract snake and scorpion bites.

Holy basil is applied to the skin for ringworm.

In cooking, holy basil is often added to stir-fry dishes and spicy soups because of its peppery taste. Cookbooks sometimes call it "hot basil."

How does it work?

Chemicals in holy basil are thought to decrease pain and swelling (inflammation). Other chemicals might lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.
Researchers think this benefit may be explained by the oil’s ability to act as an antioxidant.

• CNS effects : Experiments in rats have demonstrated a protective effect of holy basil extracts against noise stress. Noise-induced increases in circulating corticosterone, dopamine, and serotonin levels were prevented with holy basil extract pretreatment, and other adaptogenic effects on biochemical changes in acetylcholine, acetycholinesterase, and creatine kinase were observe

• Antibacterial : Extracts of holy basil, particularly those containing eugenol, have shown in vitro activity against a number of microorganisms including resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

• Antibacterial : Extracts of holy basil, particularly those containing eugenol, have shown in vitro activity against a number of microorganisms including resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

• Antiulcer : Animal studies with induced ulcers have shown protective and healing properties with use of the extracts and fixed oil of holy basil. Suggested mechanisms of action include antioxidant action, lipoxygenase inhibition, histamine antagonism, and antisecretory effects.