For the past thirty days, I have been incorporating holy basil into my routine. Find out everything that holy basil did for me and why I will continue to use it in my life.
What are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are herbs, fungi, and roots that are often used in holistic medicine. They can help the body cope with stress and anxiety, but often have other benefits as well. Some well-known adaptogens include reishi mushrooms, turmeric, ashwagandha, and the tried and true holy basil, also known as tulsi basil. They can be used in a variety of ways, from being ground into fine powders to being made into herbal teas. All of these herbs are potent anti-inflammatories and range from being hard to find to even being commonplace.
Why Holy Basil?
With what has been going on with the pandemic and other life stressors, I have been looking into drinking tea and other natural healing practices to see what sticks. After being given tulsi tea as a gift, I figured why not give it a try. It is known to have many benefits including relaxing the body and helping the body to adapt to stress. It has been used for centuries, even dating back to 1,000 BCE in India. It has been known throughout history as a healing herb.
Benefits of Holy Basil
It Boosts Cognitive Function
Move over coffee, holy basil is here to stay. While working for long hours, holy basil tea has been my friend and for good reason. Naturally caffeine-free, holy basil has compounds that are perfect for boosting brain power. One of the best benefits I found when using holy basil was the increase in concentration. It is as if I am calm but also focused on the task at hand. I found it easier to stay on task rather than have my attention drift off and get distracted by social media. It is a calm cure-all during working hours.
It Relaxes After a Long Day
Don’t get me wrong. I love a good cup of chamomile at night. However, if you are looking for the tea that is going to calm you down but keep you from falling asleep at the same time, this is the one for you. While it does mimic the relaxing effects of sleep-promoting teas, it doesn’t knock you out. It creates a feeling of well-being and eases any stress that occurred during the day’s events. It is truly one of the best teas that I have found to remedy that.
It Has Tons of Antioxidants
There is a reason why this herb is considered holy. It has been used to cure and prevent many diseases including nausea, emotional stress, and sleeping issues like insomnia. The antioxidants help shield the body from common ailments that are the result of a stressful lifestyle. If you are in a work environment or lifestyle that is stressful or even fast-paced, this tea is the one for you.
It is Full of Vitamins
This herb is full of vitamins including zinc, vitamin C, and iron, meaning it’s a natural energy-booster. What better way to receive these hard to find nutrients than with this tea? It was surprising to find that this tea is even effective in keeping a healthy immune system. Since going on my wellness journey, I am finding that rather than looking for conventional aids, there are more than enough natural holistic options. They are also incredibly easy to find if you know where to look. Your next vitamin-filled cure could be in the produce section of your grocery store or even in your back yard.
My Results
After 30 days of drinking holy basil tea, I found that adaptogens are definitely not a trend. It makes me wonder what other adaptogens I have been missing out on that I could use in my daily life. I found that the tea keeps me more alert and centered when it is in my routine. While I might not drink holy basil tea every day in the future, it is one that I will add to my collection. It is delicious on its own and with stevia and will be used as a nice wind-down tea in the evenings. The flavor is mild, but great with a natural sweetener. If you have a chance, go ahead and give this beneficial adaptogen a try. Believe me, you will not regret it.
Also by Kiera: How Drinking Tart Cherry Juice Once A Day Changed My Life
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Photo: Pixabay
