How to Use Tulsi Basil as Medicine

Holy basil is also called Tulsi basil and Ocimum sanctum. It has a delightful clove scent and taste and has potent medicinal qualities. Sacred to Hindu people, it is featured in myth and legend in India, where it is said that weary travelers quenched their thirst by eating one leaf of this plant that was grown around Hindu temples. Tulsi basil can be used as a tea or a tincture to help relieve many ailments, as it is classified an adaptogen: it "adapts" itself to whatever ailment the body is experiencing and can help relieve a sore throat, stomach ache, and many other symptoms.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh or dried Tulsi basil
• Boiling water
• Teapot
• Clean glass jar
• Alcohol, cider vinegar or glycerin

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Instructions

How to make Tulsi tea

• 1

  Use fresh Tulsi basil leaves and flowering tops if they are available. If you use dried Tulsi, use slightly less than fresh. For each cup of tea, place 12 fresh or dried leaves of Tulsi basil into a teapot or teacup.

• 2

  Boil water in a tea kettle or pan and then pour it over your Tulsi basil leaves.

• 3

  Allow your tea to steep for about 10 minutes, and then strain it and enjoy with sugar, honey, lemon, milk or other tasty additions. You can make a larger amount of tea, if you wish, and then drink the leftover tea later in the same day.

How to make Tulsi basil tincture

• 4

  Fill a clean glass jar about half full with either fresh or dried Tulsi basil leaves.

• 5

  Fill your jar with vodka, rum, brandy, apple cider vinegar, or vegetable glycerin.

• 6

  Shake the jar, label the contents (be sure to include the date), and allow it to sit in a cool, shady location for one month.

• 7

  Shake your brewing tincture at least once each day.

• 8

  After one month, strain your tincture and bottle it in smaller glass bottles with dropper tops for ease of use. Take no more than three full droppersful three times each day. Discontinue use when your symptoms improve.