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When my anxiety started to escalate, I started searching for something that would help me to feel ‘normal’ again. I became a googling machine, desperately reading everything I could on anxiety and methods to control the constant waves of fear that were overwhelming me on a daily basis. That is when I read about Holy Basil. Many people were claiming that it worked very quickly in regards to eliminating their anxiety and so I thought ‘Why not – I’ll give this a try’.
As I am very cautious with anything that I try, I looked up the benefits, side effects and read dozens of reviews before putting it into my mouth. There were so many people singing its praises and I discovered that the positives effects far outweighed the negatives so I was comfortable with giving it a go.
So, what is Holy Basil?
Holy basil (or Tulsi) has been used medicinally in India for over 3,000 years and it’s known there as the “Queen of Herbs”. It has been one of India’s most important healing plants. It is an adaptogen, meaning it brings balance to the entire body and protects it from all kinds of stresses (anti-stress agent). In Ayurvedic medicine, it is a very important herb. It is particularly great for reducing anxiety, stress, and depression.
Holy Basil is good for the liver and promotes its healthy functioning. It can eliminate harmful chemicals in the bloodstream and protects against liver disease. As the liver is the key organ that is linked to our mind, this function is key to assisting in reducing anxiety, depression & OCD. Holy Basil does a lot more than simply lowering stress levels. It is known to help in various ways:
Holy Basil Benefits
Holy basil provides a huge range of health and stress-busting benefits:
- Reduces psychological stress
- Nourishes the mind in a manner similar to yoga
- Offers antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties
- Fights metabolic syndrome, which is the precursor to diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and cancer
- Detoxifies your body
- Promotes weight loss
- Improves skin and hair
- Digestive system benefits
- Cardiovascular benefits
- Enhances your overall well-being
Side Effects
There are a few factors to consider when taking Holy Basil so it’s important to consider these:
1. Blood Thinning – Holy Basil has the property to thin the blood in our bodies. So, it should not be taken along with other anti-clotting medications.
2. Hypoglycemia – As Holy Basil is known to reduce blood sugar, it is important for people on medication for diabetes to watch their consumption of this herb. It could lead to an excessive reduction in blood sugar, which can be dangerous.
3. Pregnancy – Holy Basil should not be taken whilst pregnant as it can increase uterine contractions and this is dangerous to the unborn child.
How much to use
The amount to use seemed to vary depending on the person. A standardized dosage of holy basil is 400 mg per day however I found that people suffering from severe anxiety and panic attacks benefited by taking a higher dosage.
Top 5 on the market – Best Holy Basil (2018)
(Passed all ingredient quality standards)
1. Tulsi – Holy Basil (Organic India) – 300mg per serving
2. Holy Basil Force (New Chapter) – 1072mg per serving
3. Holy Basil Extract (Now) – 500mg per serving
4. Holy Basil Leaf (Gaia Herbs) – 964mg per serving
5. Holy Basil (Solaray) – 900mg per serving
My Experience
When I first tried Holy Basil, I felt quite tired and a bit too relaxed. I felt a little light headed but I did feel much calmer. I was sleeping a lot more (I suffered terribly from insomnia) and this product certainly corrected that. I was sleeping a minimum of 9-10 hours a day, which was huge for me, as I was lucky to get half of that normally. I tried this for five days and then decided this wasn’t right for me. On reflection, I feel the dosage I was taking was perhaps too high for me. The brand I was taking was ‘Holy Basil Force (New Chapter) – 1072mg per serving’.
However, I gave these tablets to my friend (who also suffered from severe anxiety and panic attacks) and she found them to be a godsend? She stated that she felt a difference almost immediately and things really ‘kicked in’ after about 10 days. She felt so much calmer and more focused (very different to me). She no longer experiences heart palpitations, dizzy spells and shortness of breath. She is so much happier and feeling excited about the future, the first time in a long time, and has stated that since taking this product, she has not had one panic attack! She has been taking Holy Basil for about 7 months and swears that she will never stop it as it has changed her life.
She takes 2 capsules per day and her recommendation is to bite through the capsules so that it is absorbed into your systems faster.
As with many holistic products, it isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ fix when it comes to resolving anxiety. All of our bodies are different so what works for one person, doesn’t necessarily work for someone else. However, there are enough reviews on the internet to state that Holy Basil has been a savior to thousands of anxiety sufferers. I would still recommend anyone suffering from anxiety to give this a try as it really has changed my friend’s life. Literally!!
