The species name, sanctum, reflects the sacred nature of the plant in Indian culture. In India, holy basil is considered sacred to the Hindu god Vishnu, who considered basil the incarnation of the Goddess herself. In Sanksrit, tulasi means “that which is incomparable”, and in Hindi this word is tulsi, hence its common names.

The word holy in the name of their basil varieties reflects this herb’s sacred place in Indian culture for millennia and its revered use as a spiritual symbol, ritual offering, and household medicine.

Energetically, holy basil is warming/cooling with a sweet, pungent taste. Holy basil is indicated for cold, congested, stuck conditions due to the stimulating effects of its volatile oils. As a nervine, it is initially stimulating, but then brings a calm and reassuring sense of solidity and groundedness that helps quiet the mind, collect distracted thoughts into focus, and give one a sense of resilience for the long haul. It is uplifting and joyful, guiding open the heart to feel gratitude and a yearning for emotional connection.

Holy basil has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, adaptogenic, immunomodulating, antioxidant, neuroprotective, radioprotective, anti-cancer, alterative, antispasmodic, expectorant, decongestant, carminative, stimulating, emmenagogue, galactagogue, nervine, heart opening, and antidepressant actions. Like many plants in the mint family, holy basil works to open and balance, particularly in the head, the heart, and the stomach. Its expectorant, decongestant, stimulant, emmenagogic, and galactagogic actions are opening, while its alterative, immunomodulating, carminative, antidepressant, and nervine actions are balancing.

In Ayurveda, holy basil is considered a rasayana herb, one that “nourishes a person’s growth to perfect health and promotes long life” [1]. In Western herbalism, holy basil is considered an adaptogen, helping the body respond in a measured way to stressors, thus reducing the negative effects of stress on physical and emotional health and providing balance. Holy basil’s antioxidant, neuroprotective, and radio-protective actions are considered protective and anti-aging [1]. The language may be different between the two traditions, but the tonic, health-supporting effect of holy basil is the same!

Holy basil has a long history of use for the respiratory ailments due to its antiviral, antibacterial, decongestant, and diaphoretic actions [2]. It is useful in the treatment of colds and flu, due to its ability to move congestion, stimulate circulation and perspiration to reduce fever, and kill microorganisms. In India, holy basil is also used as an expectorant tea for bronchial mucus [1] due to its ability to warm and clear stuck congestion. As a tonic, it also shows beneficial actions for asthma and allergies. Holy basil is an immunomodulator, strengthening and balancing the immune system’s ability to respond to infection. A double-blinded, randomized, controlled, cross-over clinical trial was conducted with 24 healthy volunteers to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects holy basil leaf alcohol extract. The participants received 300 milligram capsules of holy basil extract or placebo. Statistically significant increases in immunological parameters (interferon-γ, interleukin-4, T-helper cells, and NK-4 cells) indicate that holy basil leaf extract had an immunomodulatory role on healthy volunteers [3].

As an alterative, holy basil “removes heat and toxins from bloodstream, liver, circulation, and intestines” [2]. Holy basil can also support detoxification of toxins stored in body fat such as metals, medical drugs, and compounds from marijuana use; in India and the Middle East, holy basil has long been used for this latter purpose [2].

As a nervine, holy basil has a dual action as it is both stimulating and relaxing to the brain. While these are seemingly disparate effects, they are indeed related. As herbalist Rebecca Altman describes, holy basil regulates the nervous system by its opening action, moving blocked energy to dispel sluggishness as well as move and direct restless energy to ease hyperactivity and inability to concentrate [4]. Herbalist David Winston uses holy basil to treat poor memory, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) because of its ability to enhance cerebral circulation; and to treat stagnant, situational depression, in which one is stuck in a depressive state related to a particular trauma [1]. By moving stuck energy in the energetic nervous system, holy basil ‘lifts’ the depression, uplifting the heart and allowing it to open to feel emotion and connection with others. Holy basil also helps heart health by enhancing healthy circulation via its slight blood thinning and circulatory stimulant actions, reducing cardiovascular stress both physically and via its adaptogenic actions. 

References

[1] Winston, David and Maimes, Steven. (2007). Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief.

[2] Wood, Matthew. (2008). The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants.

[3] Mondal S., Varma S., Bamola V.D., Naik S.N., Mirdha B.R., Padhi M.M., Mehta N., Mahapatra S.C. (2011). J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Jul 14;136(3):452-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.05.012. Epub 2011 May 17.

[4] Altman, Rebecca (2014). BASIL: OCIMUM SPP.