Tulsi tea is a kind of Indian herb. For some people, it is known as Holy Basil. In Hindi, the word “tulsi” means nothing is comparable to it. This is because of its credible panacea reputation or its ability to remedy almost all kinds of illnesses. Hindus also believed that it is a sacred plant due to its ability to relieve stress and give a certain feeling of enlightenment or illumination. Tulsi comes in two varieties, red and green. Both the red and green tulsi give off a warm and aromatic effect. It is not only popular for medicinal purposes but also for cooking as well. Tulsi tea is also a famous seasoning in Indian and Thai cuisine. Today, tulsi is becoming more and more popular especially in the west because of its many health benefits.
Advantages
1.Stress Reliever – Tulsi tea is used as an adaptogen or a metabolic regulator which enhances the body’s ability to adapt to different environmental factors and prevent damage caused from such factors. These include external factors like injury or aging and internal factors such as anxiety or stress. For instance, tulsi is believed to help regulate high blood pressure caused by the adrenaline response related to noise stress. Furthermore, it also curbs the central nervous system which in effect alleviates depression and other nervous related disorders.
2.Remedy to Diabetes – In a study done in 1996 by Dr. Pragya Agarwal, tulsi tea lowers blood sugar. This research had shown that compared to the placebo population, the participants who were administered with tulsi tea dropped more than 18 percent of their blood glucose levels.
3.Modulates the Immune System – Tulsi tea has been proven to strengthen the immune system which improves its ability to fight many disease-causing agents like viruses, bacteria and allergens. By so doing, your over all health is well-maintainedand protected from almost all types of diseases.
4.Rich Source of Antioxidants – Antioxidants help slow down your body’s excess oxidation process and guard the cells from free radicals. In addition, studies show that the anti-oxidants found in tulsi tea enhance memory function, promote heart health, slow down signs of aging and promote a healthy vision.
Disadvantages
Although tulsi tea has numerous benefits, it also has some side effects. It is advisable to become aware of these side-effects before you drink up a cup of tulsi tea. Here are some of its few disadvantages.
1.Anticoagulant/Blood Thinner – For some people this effect may be desirable but for others it is not. For people who suffer from blood vessel or heart disease and inadequate brain blood flow, doctors recommend taking blood thinners. Taking tulsitea while under a blood thinning medication may induce cumulative effects which can cause more harm than good.
2. Chromium Contamination – Tulsi herbs have high chromium tolerance and can reach a certain concentration which is toxic to humans.
3. Possible Risks During Pregnancy – There is confusing information regarding the safety of tulsi intake during pregnancy. There are some people who claim that it is safe while others advice pregnant women to be more cautious. Furthermore, the anticoagulant properties of tulsi should be considered after pregnancy.