Holy Basil Tea

reprinted from Your Organic Gardening Blog (http://yourorganicgardeningblog.com/start-your-mornings-with-holy-basil-tea-to-slow-aging-process/
Holy basil (Tulsi) tea is the beverage originated in India thousands of years ago. It is known for its rich antioxidant properties that promote wellness and longevity.

This means that it has the ability to slow oxidation in the body. The process of oxidation damages cells in the body and may contribute to the worsening of pre-existing conditions, as well as effects caused by aging.

As Tulsi is rich source of antioxidants, it neutralizes harmful radicals present in body to damage the cells and tissues. It enables the immune system to function properly and mitigates the joint pain.

Although many foods you eat contain antioxidants, today’s poor diets likely don’t provide you with all the free radical scavengers you need. This is one area where tea can come in handy as several types of tea have been shown to contain healthy antioxidants, including green tea and black tea. And,

The tulsi plant is referred to as the “queen of herbs” for its healing powers. The use of tulsi leaves have been documented since around 5000 BC.

Today holy basil is a common house plant grown in the home and garden of families in India. The plant achieved its recognition from the West as well and you can easily find it in many home gardens in the US.

It has a very pleasant smell that is known to help prevent the gathering of mosquitoes. Holy basil is a popular patio plant and makes a great addition to any herb garden.

Tulsi has a kind of spicy flavor, comparable to cloves. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as “hot basil” or “pepper basil”. It is different from sweet or Thai basil, whose flavor is more like licorice.

Holy basil is one of my favorite plants or bushes in my garden. It grows as a bush, so we do not pinch it out. We let it flower and it has lots of leaves. It has long purple flowers and smooth green foliage with a spicy fragrance.

Usually I try to harvest young shoots in early morning for maximum flavor and scent. Small stake helps me to grow it as a lovely bush.

The bees in your garden will love it. I prune it back hard after the seeds have formed. Save the seeds and you will be able to grow hundreds of plants.

The leaves of the holy basil plant are used to make a delicious tea that promotes health and well-being

Consuming the warm brew of holy basil herbal tea can promote a more balanced metabolism, build stamina, as well as increase mental clarity.

Holy basil is traditionally made into remedies for headaches, heart disease, colds,asthma and bronchitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and inflammatory illnesses.

Even though holy basil is known for its antibacterial, and antiviral properties, it is most known for its role in reducing cortisol or stress levels in the body.

Personally, I frequently drink tea instead of coffee, as I never acquired a taste for it.

Considering the questionable benefits of starting your day off with a cup of coffee, I highly recommend you try switching to Tulsi tea instead for a far healthier wakeup call.

Drink holy basil tea to calm the mind. Rich in essential oils, holy basil tea is as much a pleasure to drink for its fragrance as its taste.