Holy Basil leaves powder:

Holy basil is used to treat many conditions, including H1N1 (swine) flu, diabetes, the common cold, headache, fever, stress, upset stomach, earache, and more. It has also been used as a mosquito repellant and topically (on the skin) to treat ringworm.

Studies have shown that holy basil has a wide range of health-promoting properties including:1

• Adaptogenic

• Anti-arthritic

• Anti-coagulant

• Anti-diabetic

• Anti-inflammatory

• Anti-pyretic (prevents itching)

• Antidiarrheal

• Antimicrobial (including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and more)

• Antioxidant

• Antitussive (treats cough)

• Liver-, brain-. and heart-protective

What Are Adaptogens?

Holy basil is an adaptogenic herb. Adaptogens are substances found in plants that help boost the body’s resilience in dealing with stressors. Because the effects of stress on the body play such a huge role in the aging process, adaptogens are also considered to have anti-aging properties.

They may perform many different functions including:

• Balancing hormones such as cortisol (the stress hormone)

• Improving brain function

• Boosting the immune system

• Lowering inflammation

• Improving energy levels

• Improving organ and bodily system (such as GI) function

Holy basil is used for its many health benefits, and is used widely in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, but there is insufficient evidence for the treatment of many conditions, including:

• Stress

• Headache

• Anxiety

• Diarrhea

• Fever

• Nausea and indigestion

• Back pain

• Earache

• Cold and flu

• Dysentery

• Genitourinary disorders (conditions involving the urinary system and genitals)

• Bronchitis

• Viral hepatitis

• Malaria

• Tuberculosis

• Ringworm

• Snakebite antidote

• Diabetes

• Asthma

• Heart disease

Dosage

The safe and effective dose of any type of medication varies, depending on a person’s age, weight, health condition. and other factors. A safe long-term dose of holy basil (tulsi) has not been well established in medical research studies. But a range of dosages was used in short-term studies, these include:2

Early research discovered that taking 500 milligrams (mg) of holy basil leaf extract two times each day for 60 days resulted in reduced anxiety and depression.3

A dose of 300 mg per day of holy basil leaf extract can be given (for 30 days) for central nervous system disorders.5

n preliminary studies, taking 400 mg of holy basil extract in the morning and 800 mg at night for six weeks decreased many symptoms associated with stress, these included:3

• Sleep problems

• Sexual problems

• Severe fatigue

• Memory problems

A dose of 10 grams of holy basil leaf aqueous extract can be given 1 to 4 times per day in equal doses As a tincture solution, the average dose is 30 drops per day in three equal doses. Holy basil whole-plant aqueous extract of 6 to 14 grams is an average daily dose.