By The health benefits of Tulsi tea are several! Also known as holy basil, the origin of this herb is in India, years ago. The herb is known for its adaptogenic and antioxidant properties. They are good in promoting wellness through strengthening the immune system, promoting mental clarity and reducing stress.
Holy basil provides several health benefits to the consumer, it is antibacterial, antiviral, antimalarial and antifungal properties and chemo-preventive. The Holy basil is also responsible for providing protection to the liver, while also promoting anti-inflammatory properties.
Tulsi tea is a concoction made from Tulsi leaves that have been seeped for some time in hot water. This concoction also provides several health benefits owing to its medicinal properties. The herb houses several essential vitamins and minerals that support overall health.
This article will dive into the health benefits of consuming Tulsi tea, read till the end to discover refreshing recipes!
Who Is Tulsi Tea Good For?
Tulsi is good for almost everyone except those who may face the following symptoms after Tulsi consumption:
- Diarrhea
- Hives
- Mild skin rashes
- Anaphylaxis in severe cases
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, immediately contact your physician.
| Note: The information in this article is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All images and text presented are for general information purposes only. |
Different Health Benefits Of Tulsi Tea: Top 3 Systems That Get A Boost
1. Metabolic Benefits
The health benefits of Tulsi tea cannot start without mentioning the positive impact it has on metabolic health of the consumer. The digestive health of the consumer benefits greatly from the consumption of Tulsi tea. It is:
- A great stimulator of gastric juices that helps in promoting smooth bowel movements.
- The herb also helps in alleviating constipation through its anti-spasmodic effects
- Detoxification of the bladder and liver is naturally done through the help of Tulsi tea. This also helps maintain the normal flora balance of the intestine.
- The antioxidant property of the Tulsi is helpful in controlling inflammatory reactions in the body. This property is helpful in the management of stress. Â
- Another one of the benefits of Tulsi tea is its ability to stimulate the pancreas which reduces insulin resistance, thus lowering the blood sugar levels.
- This controls the fluctuations in blood sugar which is pivotal for management and prevention.
Thus, Tulsi tea can help in maintaining good metabolic health which is useful in maintaining overall wellbeing.
2. Neurocognitive and Mood Benefits
Neurocognitive and mood benefits of Tulsi tea are known to be predominant in Tulsi tea. The skills that Tulsi tea can enhance include learning, memory, executive function, language and perceptual motor abilities. Tulsi tea acts like an adaptogen that is a property that allows the body to deal with stress.
The benefits of Tulsi tea include its ability to improve neurocognitive function. This is through promoting the release of neurotrophic factors which promotes better cognitive abilities and memory.
Tulsi tea can also increase the energy levels that can help manage emotional and physical stress.
3. Immunity and Infections
The benefits of Tulsi tea are also seen in fighting infections. During the pandemic when viral infections were at an all-time high, Tulsi along with other ayurvedic remedies were seen to improve people’s symptoms.
Apart from that, eugenol in Tulsi leaves has anti-inflammatory properties that help in controlling the extent of inflammation that can agitate the immune system. This is owing to its adaptogenic property. Apart from that Tulsi tea is known to have antimicrobial properties that can provide protection against several microorganisms.
Tulsi tea also improves the function of T-helper and Natural Killer (NK) cells that help fight off infections. Moreover, the antioxidant characteristic of Tulsi tea helps in combating oxidative stress, thus supporting the immune function.
Risks Associated with Tulsi Tea
If you are not careful with the consumption, you may do more harm than good to yourself. You can reap a lot of benefits from the consumption of Tulsi tea. However, with the wrong consumption habits, you can also severely harm yourself.
Here is a look at all the harms that may come your way with the wrong consumption of Tulsi tea:
- Decrease in fertility and sperm mobility
Tulsi tea made with fresh Tulsi leaves can reduce the sperm count in the respective consumer, with a animal study showing male contraceptive effect. That study also showed a decrease in the subject’s reproductive potential.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding concerns
Drinking Tulsi tea when you are pregnant, or breastfeeding is not advised due to the risk of infection in the consumer, where they may develop listeriosis and toxoplasmosis.
If you are craving a cup of Tulsi tea, then consume it in moderation to remain within the safe limits.
- Eugenol overdose
Eugenol is a chemical component of Tulsi, and it obviously remains present in the concoction, stealing the benefits of Tulsi tea. This can lead to serious issues such as diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, liver toxicity and acute kidney injury.
- You may also experience an upset stomach when you consume the tea in excess, without moderation.
Safety and Dosage
If you are consuming Tulsi tea with Tulsi supplements, be careful. There are not enough regulations to control the quality of Tulsi supplements thus, exercise caution when making it this way.
In addition, make sure you consume Tulsi tea only after consultation with your healthcare professional. There are chances for you to be allergic to the components of this herb or even the herb itself. Thus, do not consume the supplement without consultation.
If you are consuming the Tulsi leaves, you should limit the intake between 300 mg to 3,000 mg per day. The lack of proper research has led to a confusion in the exact dosage that is good for daily consumption. This value comes from research conclusions on Tulsi tea and its consumption in a controlled setting.
Additionally, you can control the quality of Tulsi through growing the herbs in your own garden. This will help you control the amount of pesticides, and how well the soil is handled. This will also ensure that you have an organic supply of Tulsi leaves to brew a fresh cup of Tulsi tea.
Interesting Recipes To Keep Diseases At Bay!
There are several ways through which you can brew a fresh cup of Tulsi tea at home. You may get bored with one recipe of Tulsi tea, so here are a few ideas to experiment with Tulsi tea:
1. Ginger-Turmeric Tulsi tea
This is a great option when you want to enjoy a wholesome herbal tea that has all the benefits one can need. This tea includes Tulsi leaves, turmeric powder or whole turmeric and ginger root. Grate ginger and turmeric if you use the whole root, set it aside. Then, boil one cup of water and add the grated ginger (and turmeric, if applicable.) Add 2-3 Tulsi leaves and turmeric powder if not using the whole root.
2. Simple Tulsi tea
This is a simple recipe when you do not want to have the first option. Alternatively, you can just boil a cup of water in a saucepan and add a few leaves of Tulsi. You may add a dollop of honey or a teaspoon of sugar.
3. Pineapple and Tulsi tea
This one is a great refreshing drink that you can make by blending Tulsi leaves and pineapple. This gives a tangy and herby taste to the boring old Tulsi tea.
The aroma is enough to uplift your mood!
4. Tulsi, Lemongrass and Ginger tea
Take a saucepan and add the appropriate amount of water, let it boil. Collect 2-3 Tulsi leaves, a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger and take a lemongrass stalk. Let all the condiments boil, before straining, add a tablespoon of jaggery or honey as sweetener.
5. Mint, Tulsi and Ginger tea
This is another one of the tea recipes that you can make to reap the benefits of Tulsi tea while also cooling yourself off. The Tulsi tea recipes is a refreshing take on the other ones, with the added freshness of mint leaves. I am a fan of mint during the summers. It is one of the best recipes that you can try during the scorching summer months.
Alternatively, you can also enjoy a fizzy drink by adding soda/sparkling water instead of flat water.
Conclusion
Thus, benefits of Tulsi tea can be several and this article shows you just how important they are! Tulsi tea is a potion of health that you can sip on or enjoy a cool glass of to meet your nutritional needs. Tulsi tea has several properties that help it give you all the benefits.
Upon reading the article, you’d know how beneficial Tulsi tea is for us. It can protect us against infections, cold, and flu. However, there are also a handful of disadvantages that can negatively impact our health.
Thus, it is very important that you consult your physician before continuing the consumption. Especially in cases of pregnancy, breastfeeding and allergies.
Is there anything else we should know? Let us know in the comments below!
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