The Effects of Holy Basil on Diabetes

Holy basil, also called tulsi, is an herb that has been used for centuries in India for cooking, healing, and in worship rituals. Although it is in the same family as the better-known sweet basil, holy basil is a different plant with different properties. Today, with the rise in diabetes in India, many diabetics there (and some elsewhere) are turning to holy basil to treat this life-altering disease.

History

• Holy basil has been cultivated in India for well over 4000 years. Considered to be a sacred plant, the word tulsi means "incomparable one" and the plant is actually named for the Hindu goddess Tulsi, the consort of Vishnu. As such, holy basil is considered to be the most important herb in Ayurvedic healing. Ayurvedic practitioners swear by tulsi as a cure-all for many different illnesses. It is said to place the entire body back in healthy balance, both physically and spiritually.

Appearance

• Tulsi is a slender, upright plant with hairy stems, offset leaves, and long spikes of tiny purple flowers. It is easily distinguished from sweet basil as the leaves are much smaller with serrated rather than smooth edges. There are two different types of tulsi: green and purplish-red. Both plants are equally useful and are interchangeable for medical purposes. It can be grown in most areas of the world as a tender annual, and may overwinter and reseed itself as a perennial in warmer climates.

Studies

• As the incidence of diabetes has grown in India, more people began to take tulsi because of its spiritual importance and its traditional reputation in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. In this case, traditional medicine proved to be right. The tulsi plant contains essential oils and produces caryophyllene, eugenol, and methyl eugenol. These oils are thought to improve pancreatic function by stimulating insulin production.

  A 1997 study published in the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (1997, 7, 2, 113--118), V. Rai, U. V. Mani, et al, published the results of a study using 27 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients, all of whom were on hypoglycemic medications. After the patients took powdered tulsi leaf supplements for one month, testers noted a significant reduction in levels of blood glucose, glycated proteins, amino acids and uronic acid. They also noted a marked decrease in bad cholesterol.

  An additional study conducted by P. Agrawal , R. B. Singh, et al. and published in 1996 in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1996 Sep;34(9):406-9) used a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover single blind trial. In this study, 40 people were treated. Those treated with a placebo showed little to no improvement, where people given the tulsi supplement showed a notable decrease in their blood glucose levels.

Dose

• The success of these studies and the increased popularity of herbal and alternative medicines has led to more people in the west taking tulsi to control their diabetes. As a result, tulsi is becoming readily available in most health food stores.

  In order to be potentially effective for diabetes, they must take the tulsi every day. Although recommended amounts vary, the most commonly suggested dosage for diabetics is 2.5 grams of powdered dried tulsi leaf taken orally every morning. You can also take a tea made from one teaspoon of dried tulsi steeped in one cup of water three times a day. It is not recommended that children take tulsi as the effects and possible side effects have not been fully studied.

Side Effects

• Tulsi has a number of potential side effects, both good and bad. On the plus side, tulsi shows promise as an adaptogen. According to Dr. John Douillard of LifeSpa, adaptogens are compounds that act as stress-inhibitors (http://www.lifespa.com/article.aspx?art_id=81). Since stress can elevate blood glucose levels this positive side effect will also aid diabetics in managing their disease by helping them control stress. Other beneficial side effects include lower blood pressure, increased energy, and improved respiratory function.

  So far there have been no negative side effects connected with the use of tulsi reported. However, since tulsi does have a possible anti-inflammatory effect, people taking other anti-inflammatory medications should be careful to time their tulsi dose in a way that will not compound the effects of the anti-inflammatory medicines they are already taking. Also, since tulsi has not been fully studied as yet, pregnant and lactating women are cautioned not to take tulsi without consulting their doctor.