Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy basil helped me get through some of the hardest times of my health journey.

As you may know, I burned out my adrenals by eating too much stimulant (chocolate) and ended up having a super-low pregnenolone level – this is a pre-hormone that is used to produce many of your other hormones. My level was 6. Dr. Williams told me after I was tested that this was the level of about an 85 year old man.

One of the ways to get my adrenal function back on track was to keep me cool.

When your hormones are out-of-whack, so is your mental condition. During this time, I was very agitated and my moods would flip often – hot-headed may be a good way to describe it.

Holy basil is an adaptogen that helps modulate your endocrine system (hormones) and if you run hot it tends to cool you down. If you run cold, it actually can warm you up a bit. This is the known action of an adaptogen.

Anyway, I started adding holy basil extract to my smoothies in the morning just to help me even my moods through the day and it worked amazingly. Annmarie was surprised at how calm and serene I was, seeing how volatile I was before.

I took this herb for at least 6 months regularly, then stepped back because my adrenal function improved. My pregnenolone levels were back up over 100 and I was now cool and even headed again like I used to be.

I feel the action of the herb simply calmed me enough to slow the production of cortisol (reduce stress) in my body so that my adrenals could take a rest and heal.

Usage: Holy basil is viewed as a tonic herb, meaning that you can take it regularly. With that said, I’d listen to your body and allow it to decide when you’re taken enough. I don’t think extended, everyday use of every herb works for everyone, though some herbs are appropriate for everyday therapeutic use.

There are two ways to consume holy basil. First is in tea form and second is in extract form. I prefer, therapeutically, the extract form because it is very potent and effective for helping modulate mood.

The tea is great for drinking and enjoying – and getting some therapeutic effects – but the extract is much more medicinal.

The best extract I’ve found is the one we sell in the Renegade Health Store (here). You can find the teas in most health food stores. I’ve tried the New Chapter Holy Basil Extract and it actually gives me the jitters – unlike the extract we sell. Feel free to experiment on your own with what works for you.

You only need a tiny bit of the extract – maybe 1/4 or a teaspoon – in order to start to feel its relaxing effects.

Keep in mind, that some adaptogens work better for some people than others do. So if holy basil doesn’t seem right for you, feel free to experiment with others like Siberian ginseng, Rhodiola and Ashwaganda