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 Benefits of Basil, Holy Basil (Tulsi)
  Last Updated : Dec 02,2019






Benefits of Basil, Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Fresh Basil is an aromatic herb which belongs to the mint family. Mostly known to be used in Italian cuisine, it also makes its appearance in Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese cuisine. Holy Basil (Tulsi), is the species of basil and is known as the ‘Queen of Herbs’ in Ayurveda. Since ancient times we have seen a small plant of holy basil outside many Indian households. Our ancestors always promoted chewing a few tulsi leaves early in the morning. It used to be a part of healthy breakfast for them. Basil or Tulsi have many healing properties. Let’s look into its nutrition facts before we understand its health benefits.

Coconut Basil SmoothieCoconut Basil Smoothie

Healing Power of Basil / Holy Basil (Tulsi)

1. Tulsi has the power to reduce Inflammation in the body. It helps fights free radicals and reduces stress. Chew 10 to 12 leaves daily in the morning to keep stress at bay.
Key Nutrients : Vitamin C and essential oils like eugenol

2. Basil / Tulsi aids in digestion by helping in the secretion of digestive enzymes during chewing. 

3. Its high vitamin content is beneficial for skin too. It builds collage when consumed and its paste when applied topically contributes to a flawless smooth skin. It provides a natural cure to skin irritations and is also a good home remedy for acne.
Key Nutrients : Vitamin C 

4. It shows chemo protective effect. According to research the phytochemicals present in Tulsi / Basil help to prevent many types of cancer. They are known to cease cancer cell growth and its spread in the body.
Key Nutrients : Phytochemicals like eugenol, apigenin and luteonil
Recipe Suggestion : Cabbage and Grapes Salad in Basil Dressing

Cabbage and Grapes Salad in A Basil Curd DressingCabbage and Grapes Salad in A Basil Curd Dressing

5. Chewing on basil leaves has been proven to treat some respiratory conditions like cough. Hot Tulsi Drink is also a good option to soothe your throat and clear up congestion.
Key nutrients : Phytonutrients like eugenol and cineole
Recipe Suggestion : Fresh Herbal Mint and Ginger Drink

Fresh Herbal Tea, Tulsi, Mint and Ginger Drink For The Common Cold Fresh Herbal Tea, Tulsi, Mint and Ginger Drink For The Common Cold

6. It supports bone health too. A cup of Tulsi / Basil fulfills nearly ¾ of your days requirement of vitamin K. This is one of the major vitamins for bone mineralization.
Key nutrients : Vitamin K
Recipe Suggestion : Tomato Basil and Feta Cheese Salad

Tomato Basil and Feta Cheese SaladTomato Basil and Feta Cheese Salad

7. It has also gained recognition for healing wounds due its quick action of blood clotting. It avoids excess blood loss after injury and promotes skin restoration.
Key nutrients : Vitamin K
Recipe Suggestion : Sundried Tomatoes and Basil Pesto

Sundried Tomatoes and Basil PestoSundried Tomatoes and Basil Pesto

8. Like most fresh veggies, it boosts heart health. By reducing the inflammation in the body and avoiding plaque buildup, it works towards a healthy you.
Key Nutrients : Vitamin C and essential oils like eugenol
Recipe Suggestion : Basil Walnut Dressing

Basil Walnut DressingBasil Walnut Dressing

9. Holy basil protects liver health. The antioxidants in it help to cleanse the liver and prevent damage to it. While you can include basil in your diet, you can also try your hand at Infused water when on a detox diet.
Key Nutrients : Vitamin C and other antioxidants
Recipe Suggestion : Pear Basil Guava Infused Water

Pear Basil Guava Infused WaterPear Basil Guava Infused Water

10. Basil works very efficiently against the harmful unwanted bacteria of the gut. It kills them. This proves its anti-bacterial action. It naturally decreases the stomach acid while neutralizing the pH level, thus avoiding acidity.
Recipe Suggestion : Tulsi Tea

Tulsi TeaTulsi Tea

11. It has shown protection against diabetes development also in some studies. The essential oils and the antioxidants in them help to control blood sugar levels.
Recipe Suggestion : Vegetable and Basil Soup

Vegetable and Basil Soup, Healthy Diabetic RecipeVegetable and Basil Soup, Healthy Diabetic Recipe

12. Holy Basil is sure to make your immune system strong. It helps make immune cells, which protect against all types to bacteria, virus and protozoa to fight common infections like cold, flu, fever etc.
Key Nutrients : Vitamin C
Recipe Suggestion : Pineapple and Tulsi Drink

Organic Pineapple Tulsi DrinkOrganic Pineapple Tulsi Drink

13. Tulsi is a key ingredient for eye care. To improve vision and avoid its defects as well as age related cataracts, have holy basil regularly. In fact, our ancestors used tulsi water to clean eyes and overcome infections and conjunctivitis.
Key Nutrients : Vitamin A, Vitamin C and essential oils like eugenol
Recipe Suggestion : Tulsi Water

Tulsi TeaTulsi water

Nutritive Information for Basil / Holy Basil:

1 cup of chopped basil / holy basil is about 20 grams

RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance.

Energy - 5 calories

Protein – 0.6 g

Carbohydrate – 0.5 g

Fat – 0.1 g

Fiber – 0.3 g

See full nutritional details of Basil in Basil glossary click here.

Read more about culinary uses of basil...


Basil or Holy Basil is a miraculous herb. Don’t lose out on stocking up this herb in your pantry. However the best idea is to follow our ancestors way of growing it at home. 

Cheers to good health!!

benefits of basil holy basil tulsi

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Carefully-chosen ingredients like green grapes, cucumber and cabbage make this salad a really refreshing one. The innovative dressing of low-fat curds adds to the tingling freshness of this salad with the zesty flavours of basil, lemon and mustard. The addition of grated apples is a smart move, which balances the flavour and gives a rich texture to the dressing. Low-fat curds provide protein and calcium, making this salad a boon to your bones, while cabbage gives vitamin C to improve immunity.
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homemade herbal tea recipe | fresh herbal tea | ginger tulsi tea for cold | how to make kadha at home | immune boosting tea | with 17 amazing images. Indian herbal tea is a natural drink with umpteen health benefits. Together, it is a compendium of ideal ingredients to rejuvenate a tired body battered by fever, cold and cough.Learn how to make kadha at home. This fresh herbal tea packed and honey combed hot drink is just perfect to perk up your spirits when you are down with fever and cold. Tulsi, the Queen of herbs, is best when chewed. However, you can also consume it by boiling it in water like done in this tea. The phytonutrients eugenol and cineole work their magic by acting as anti-inflammatory agents. Ginger tulsi tea for cold is quite soothing to the throat. While the benefits of tulsi and ginger in relieving congestion and soothing the respiratory system are well known, few know that vitamin C rich mint also helps in relieving cold and cough. To make homemade herbal tea, combine the tulsi leaves mint and ginger in a mixer and blend to a coarse paste using very little water. Transfer the paste into a non-stick saucepan, add 1½ cups of water, mix well and boil for 5 to 7 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Strain the mixture using a strainer, add the honey and mix well. Serve immediately. Moreover, gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger used in immune boosting tea which is responsible for much of its medicinal properties. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This healthy Indian hot drink is one of the best home remedies to build your immunity against various diseases. You can sip on this kadha made at home 2 to 3 times a day. We have added honey to it as honey also has anti-microbial benefits which helps to ward off bacteria. If you wish you can adjust the quantity of the honey as per your choice. Tips for homemade herbal tea. 1. Blend the ingredients to a coarse paste only so they can boil well in water and release their beneficial compounds. 2. Serve the kadha hot or warm, but not cold. Enjoy homemade herbal tea recipe | fresh herbal tea | ginger tulsi tea for cold | how to make kadha at home | immune boosting tea | with step by step photos and video below.
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 by Tarla Dalal
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Cheese and tomatoes always get along very well together because of their contrasting textures and flavours. The soft but earthy flavour of cheese complements the tang of tomatoes, and they bring out the best of each other. In this amazing salad, the duo is enhanced further by the addition of basil, which gives a classic herby touch. Other ingredients like vinegar are added in apt proportions to balance the flavour perfectly. Toss the Tomato Basil and Feta Cheese Salad just before serving. Try other recipes with feta cheese like Barley Feta and Spinach Salad or Baked Herbed Feta Cheese Served with Bread .
4.  
 by Tarla Dalal
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Pesto is a kind of spread or dip made with walnuts as the base. It is normally perked up with garlic, olive oil, etc. In this exciting variant, we have made a pesto that imbibes the tang of sundried tomatoes and the herby magic of basil. The nutty, tangy, herby taste of this Sundried Tomatoes and Basil Pesto is really a pleasant surprise for your taste buds. You can use it to make pastas or employ it as a spread or dip. Now that you have some sun-dried tomatoes on hand, we suggest you also have a go at recipes like Sundried Tomato Risotto or Sun Dried Tomatoes and Cheese Roll .
5.  
 by Tarla Dalal
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Add greens to your detox water as their blend is quite refreshing to your senses. The strong flavors of guava and basil combined with mild flavor of pear in Pear Basil Guava Infused Water will work wonders for boosting your mind. Fruit Infuser Water Bottles are easily available all over India, in online shops as well as the home needs section of supermarkets and retail chains. If you don’t have a Fruit Infuser Bottle, you can just use any glass jar or pitcher. Put the fruits and herbs in the pitcher along with water and allow them to infuse for 2 to 3 hours. Then, strain the mixture to get detox water. The fruits and herbs can be discarded or more water can be added to make more detox water. Do not use the fruits and herbs for more than twice. Apple Cucumber Parsley Infused Water , Lemony Papaya Infused Water and Guava Strawberry Infused Water are a few more exciting fruit infused water recipes.
 
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vegetable and basil soup recipe | healthy fresh vegetable basil soup | veg basil soup with garlic for diabetes | Indian vegetable soup with basil | with 38 amazing images. vegetable and basil soup recipe | healthy fresh vegetable basil soup | veg basil soup with garlic for diabetes | Indian vegetable soup with basil is a nourishing clear soup. Learn how to make healthy fresh vegetable basil soup. To make vegetable and basil soup, heat the olive oil in a deep non-stick pan, add the garlic and green chillies and sauté on a medium flame for 10 seconds. Add the onions, coloured capsicum, french beans, carrot, cabbage and celery and sauté on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vegetable stock and salt, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, combine the basil leaves along with ¼ cup of water and blend in a mixer till smooth. Add the basil mixture and black pepper powder to the soup, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Serve immediately garnished with basil leaves. This delightful Indian vegetable soup with basil brims with the goodness of veggies, and radiates the pleasant aroma and flavour of basil. Instead of being used in chopped or dried form, basil is added as a paste in this soup, which makes its presence really noticeable. While the abundant use of veggies gives the diabetic diner a good dose of fibre, basil lends an aesthetic touch along with its medicinal value. With minimal calories and carbs, and high fibre content, this Vegetable and Basil Soup will help diabetics to keep their blood sugar levels under check. Apart from having loads of chopped veggies, this healthy fresh vegetable basil soup also uses vegetable stock to get a nice taste and mouth-feel. With a notable dose of antioxidants and devoid of cornflour, this soup can even be a part of one’s daily meals. It is wholesome and satiating too! You can also try other diabetic friendly soups like Oats and Vegetable Broth or Broccoli and Red Capsicum Soup . Tips for vegetable and basil soup. 1. You can also add finely chopped ginger along with garlic and green chillies for enhanced flavour. 2. Cabbage can be replaced with finely chopped cauliflower. 3. Basil can be replaced with mint leaves. 4. The basil paste tends to discolour the soup with time. So, prefer to make the soup and serve it as quickly as possible. Enjoy vegetable and basil soup recipe | healthy fresh vegetable basil soup | veg basil soup with garlic for diabetes | Indian vegetable soup with basil | with step by step photos.
7.  
 by Tarla Dalal
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tulsi water | 100% tulsi water | holy basil water | indian tulsi water | with 10 mazing images. Tulsi Water is a popular healthy drink and the Indian palate is accustomed to the pleasant and rejuvenating flavour of tulsi. It puts us at ease and refreshes our senses. Here is great news for those with acidity. Sipping on Tulsi Water two or three times a day helps to keep acidity at bay. Have a glass of it early in the morning before eating anything else, and you are all set to face the day with josh! You can also try Ginger Cinnamon Tea and Ajwain Water. Enjoy how to make Tulsi Water recipe with detailed step by step photos below.
8.  
 by Tarla Dalal
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basil walnut dressing recipe | Indian style basil walnut dressing | basil walnut pesto | with 12 amazing images. The best homemade basil walnut pesto in under 10 minutes using simple ingredients. Learn how to make basil walnut dressing recipe | Indian style basil walnut dressing | basil walnut pesto | basil walnut dressing is a nice salad dressing, with multiple shades ranging from lemony and herby to nutty! This olive oil based dressing goes well with several salads, including those with spinach, cheese, onions, etc. When stored this Indian style basil walnut dressing in an airtight container in the fridge, it stays good for two days, so you can prepare a small batch and use it to make a couple of exotic salads. Tips to make basil walnut dressing: 1. Authentic pesto sauce makes use of pine nuts. But since they are not easily available, we have substituted them with walnuts. 2. Pesto sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. 3. As a variation basil can be replaced with coriander to make coriander pesto. Enjoy basil walnut dressing recipe | Indian style basil walnut dressing | basil walnut pesto | with step by step photos.
9.  
 by Tarla Dalal
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tulsi tea | Indian basil tea | tulsi tea for sore throat | tulsi tea for weight loss | with 12 amazing images. tulsi tea is made from 2 ingredients, tulsi leaves ( considered a holy herb in India) + lemon juice. Tulsi leaves are cooked in water for 10 minutes. Strain the water and add lemon juices and your tulsi tea for weight loss is ready. Comforting and refreshing at the same time, this Indian basil tea, with its unmistakable herbal accents is a wonderful cure for sore throat. While the anti-viral and soothing properties of tulsi are well-known, what makes this remedy all the more effective is the addition of lemon juice to tulsi tea for sore throat. All together tulsi tea helps to expel the mucus, soothe the throat and improve your immunity with its anti-oxidant powers. Of course, the blend of herbal and lemony flavours in Tulsi Tea is a hit with the palate! You can also try other recipes with tulsi leaves like Organic Pineapple Tulsi Drink and Fresh Herbal Tea. Enjoy how to make tulsi tea | Indian basil tea | tulsi tea for sore throat | tulsi tea for weight loss | with detailed step by step photos below.
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