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A very kind friend has been helping with my feedburner issues. They aren’t completely fixed yet, but there is a temporary fix on it now. Are you all getting the updates yet? So sorry for all of the technological difficulties lately! We are trying to resolve them. When it rains, it pours!
I recently read Dr. Mercola’s advice to drink tulsi (or holy basil) tea to boost the immune system. I was intrigued. Going to Mercola’s source I found these quotes.
“The anti-flu property of Tulsi has been discovered by medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulsi improves the body’s overall defence mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to swine flu,” Dr U K Tiwari, a herbal medicine practitioner says. Apart from acting as a preventive medicine in case of swine flu, Tulsi can help the patient recover faster. “Even when a person has already contracted swine flu, Tulsi can help in speeding up the recovery process and also help in strengthening the immune system of the body,” he claims. Dr Bhupesh Patel, a lecturer at Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar is also of the view that Tulsi can play an important role in controlling swine flu. “Tulsi can control swine flu and it should be taken in fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach.” This increases the resistanceof the body and, thereby, reduces the chances of inviting swine flu,” believes Patel.
To read more of Mercola’s thoughts on Tulsi and other recommendations for the Swine Flu,.
In an article in Better Nutrition, I found a partial list of some of the traditional uses for tulsi.
“Known as tulsi in Ayurvedic medicine, holy basil has been used in India since before 1000 BC for numerous ailments, including fever, inflammation, malaria, dysentery, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, arthritis, insect bites, skin conditions and painful eye diseases.”1
Interesting
This same article also mentioned that it helps decrease blood sugar, helps you adapt to stresses, and bolsters the immune system (like what Mercola mentioned)).
The only caution is unfortunately for those trying to get pregnant, pregnant, or nursing. Several places mentioned a possible anti-fertility effect or a (though untested) hypothesis that is could play around with your hormonal balance.
But for the rest of us, tulsi seems to be a very safe choice as it has been used for a very long time in India in every household!
How to take:
You can find this in capsule form, but I prefer more traditional methods of consuming it.
Fresh leaves: As you may have noticed the in the first quote, Dr Patel recommended fresh leaves. For that, you are most likely going to have to grow your own plants. I definitely want to try this next year! It would be great to have my own. I might consider growing some in an indoor pot this Fall too. Any gardeners have advice for me?
Teas: There is a great brand, Organic India, that has a wide variety of flavors of tulsi tea. I am a tea lover, and I’ve loved the flavors I’ve tried. A pretty painless way to get your tulsi down! This is also the brand that Mercola recommends (I’ve found it at local stores and on Amazon)
But you don’t have to get premade teas, as you can also buy this herb in bulk and make your own tea combinations, or just use it plain. This is a cheaper way to go. I bought half a pound of it, and am planning on mixing it with other different teas for flavoring.
Last night, I simply scooped a spoonful of tulsi and spoonful of rooibos into a teapot, poured hot water over it and let it seep for about ten minutes. We really liked it! It has a very mild, gentle flavor.
I think that boosting my immune system with a cup of tea is an easy way to go. And I am glad that I’ve found a more frugal way to do it!
What about you? Ever tried tulsi tea before?
Disclaimer: Please consult with your health care provider before making any medical decisions. I am not a health care provider and am simply sharing information for you to consider and am not responsible for your decisions. I encourage you to research yourself!
1-Better Nutrition; Nov2006, Vol. 68 Issue 11, p24-24, 1p Ackerson, Amber D.
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