Tulsi tea recipe

Telling the world about tulsi

Tulsi is a shrub native to South-East Asia, with small purple and white flowers which grow along its furry branches. It has fragrant serrated leaves that can be either green or purple depending on the variety. It’s these that are used to make tulsi tea. People also refer to the plant as Holy Basil, however it’s quite different from the basil we use when cooking. Tulsi is considered sacred in Hinduism, and some followers worship it as an earthly manifestation of the goddess Lakshmi. The plant is a common sight in Hindu homes and temples, as well as being used in some religious festivals. It’s even planted around the Taj Mahal to protect the building from the negative effects of environmental pollution. This gives you a good idea of both its cultural significance and its powers of purification! Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine have been using tulsi tea for centuries, both in spiritual practices and to boost wellbeing. In fact, tulsi is so revered that people have given it the nickname ‘the Queen of Herbs’. And the best part is that modern scientific research is uncovering promising evidence to back up tulsi’s stellar reputation. Let’s take a closer look.

The many health benefits of tulsi

So, it’s time to get specific about how tulsi tea benefits our health. One reason it's so good for us is that tulsi is a powerful adaptogen. That means it can enable the body to deal with stress more effectively, reducing its harmful physical and mental effects. Evidence suggests that tulsi could help us cope with a wide range of stressors, from physiological to psychological.(1) Furthermore, studies indicate that the plant could also work to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.(2) All of which makes tulsi tea a wonderful choice for a calming drink after a long day. Interestingly, some research suggests that tulsi could even be beneficial for our cognitive flexibility, attention, and short-term memory.(3) Now there are some results we’d all like to replicate! Turning to more physical advantages, evidence shows that tulsi tea may work to enhance the immune system. As an example, one study found tulsi leaf extract increased levels of immune cells in the blood of healthy volunteers.(4) This is an especially noteworthy benefit for those suffering from chronic diseases. The plant’s anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties further bolster tulsi’s immune-boosting powers. Because it’s an antioxidant, drinking tulsi tea may also help to protect our cells against damage from free radicals. This is important because experts have linked the oxidative stress they cause to numerous diseases, including arthritis, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. Tulsi can additionally have a positive influence on metabolic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity. For instance, several studies credit tulsi with the ability to lower blood glucose levels and improve blood pressure in type 2 diabetics.(5) Finally, this multifaceted herb could also help us to relax, making a tulsi tea sleep aid a fantastic choice!

Our tulsi tea recipe: a simple way to harness the power of holy basil

Drinking tulsi in a tea is both one of the easiest and most traditional ways to enjoy its wealth of benefits. Of course, you can do this by simply mixing the powder into hot water. However, here at Erbology, we’ve come up with a straightforward yet delicious recipe that really helps to bring out tulsi’s complex flavours. Begin by adding about half a teaspoon of tulsi powder to a mug and filling it up with boiling water. Let it steep for around three or four minutes. This will give the powder time to dissolve and ensure the flavour is strong enough. After that, strain the liquid and transfer it to the cup you want to drink from. That way you won’t get any unpleasant gritty bits! Here’s where you take your tulsi tea to the next level. First, add a teaspoon of raw honey or a couple of drops of stevia to your drink. This helps to balance out tulsi’s natural astringency and peppery taste. If you prefer, you can substitute this for another sweetener, such as agave nectar. Either way, feel free to adjust the amount of sweetener you include to suit your palate. We also recommend popping two slices of fresh ginger into your tulsi tea, to give your drink a fiery kick. Ginger also brings plenty of health benefits of its own to the mix, which we’ll cover in detail below. Alternatively, you could try adding a pinch of cardamom or cinnamon to your cup. Another popular option is rose tulsi tea. Lastly, a slice of fresh lemon adds a refreshing hit of citrus to this wellness-boosting beverage. If you want more zest, you can always squeeze in a dash of lemon juice for extra vibrancy!

Going for gold with ginger

It’s more than just its compatible flavour that makes ginger such a fantastic addition to tulsi tea. This golden spice is also something of heavyweight when it comes to health benefits. Firstly, ginger is a highly effective treatment for mild nausea, such as that caused by motion sickness.(6) So adding it to your tulsi tea before a long car ride or boat trip is a great option for those of us who get travel sick! In line with this, research suggests that ginger can help to calm the stomach and ease indigestion. Studies also indicate that ginger could be beneficial for our cardiovascular health in several ways. This includes lowering cholesterol levels, improving blood pressure, and reducing damage to the arteries.(7) Moreover, ginger may also work to manage blood sugar levels. This is beneficial for both heart disease and diabetes. Research additionally suggests that adding ginger to tulsi tea could be helpful for weight loss.(8) This is extremely positive because evidence links obesity with a plethora of harmful medical conditions. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that could make it useful in easing the symptoms of osteoarthritis.(9) The spice’s analgesic qualities also mean it’s a popular choice for alleviating period pain. In fact, some studies show that ginger is just as effective as painkillers like ibuprofen at reducing pain.(10) There is evidence to suggest that ginger may have cancer-fighting properties too.(11) This is thanks to its main bioactive compound, gingerol. Experts have so far found promising results with regard to ovarian, breast, and gastrointestinal cancers. However, further research in this area is required to clarify this. Lastly, ginger might have benefits for our cognition, with studies indicating the spice could improve working memory and reaction time. Just one more good reason to add it to your tulsi tea!

The benefits of using tulsi powder

It goes without saying that making tulsi tea with a powder is a more convenient option than trying to source fresh leaves. Sadly, they’re not a very common sight in the supermarket! However, that’s not the only advantage of using it. Tulsi powder is also a more concentrated form of the herb. This means you’re getting a greater amount of nutrients with every sip of tulsi tea when brewing it this way. Choosing a powder and making tulsi tea also offers additional benefits over taking a supplement. Firstly, you don’t need to worry about any unwanted added ingredients like binding agents and fillers. In addition, the capsules that supplements come in often contain gelatine. That means they’re not suitable for those on a plant-based diet. With a whole food powder, you get more knowledge about and control over what you put into your body. We’re passionate about helping you to consume key nutrients naturally through food rather than tablets. This helps ensure that all the beneficial phytonutrients a plant contains can work synergistically in your body, giving you the maximum health benefits. Plus, with a powder you get the chance to try lots of other interesting and delicious recipes besides tulsi tea!

All about our organic tulsi powder

We create our Organic Tulsi Powder in small batches, from 100% organic tulsi leaves. That means there are no preservatives or additives of any kind in the mix. We source our plants directly from independent farms in Uttar Pradesh, North India. People here have been using tulsi medicinally for generations, both in tulsi tea and other herbal preparations. This is important because tulsi can become contaminated with toxins if grown in a polluted area or with toxic fertilisers. After harvesting, the farmers dry the tulsi leaves before grinding them into a fine powder that’s rich in nutrients. Our team then packs this into environmentally friendly amber glass jars, ready to ship straight to you at home. We’d love it if you could reuse or recycle them once they’re empty! That way, you’ll be helping to take care of the planet as well as your health. Tulsi tea is far from the only recipe you can create with this powder. For example, you might like to try adding a pinch to your favourite smoothie or breakfast bowl. Alternatively, thanks to its peppery kick, it makes a wonderful addition to savoury dishes such as stews, dips, and soups. So don’t be shy about experimenting with delicious new ways of including tulsi in your diet! Just remember to store the jar in a dark place at room temperature, to ensure the powder retains its quality. As with all our adaptogens, we recommend taking tulsi for a maximum of 20 days before having a short break. Because there hasn’t yet been much research done on the herb, it’s best not to take tulsi if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Likewise, those who are on any medication or have an existing health condition should check with their doctor before adding tulsi to their diet.

Top tips for a tasty tulsi tea

Tulsi tea is naturally caffeine free, which means you're able to enjoy it at any time of day. The citrus tang from the lemon can be a great pick-me-up in the morning or with lunch. Meanwhile, the tea’s stress-relieving properties make it a wonderfully soothing beverage to relax with in the evening. If you’re using tulsi tea as a sleep aid, you might like to add some chamomile to maximise your relaxation. Thanks to the warmth of the ginger, tulsi tea is an especially good choice when the weather is cold. Having said that, you can always leave the drink to the chill after making it. Then simply serve it over ice for instant refreshment on hot days! Adding a few fresh mint leaves to your glass further transforms your tulsi tea into a sweet and cooling drink. Another option is to make your tulsi tea with actual black or green tea leaves. This will inject some caffeine into the mix, making it a perfect way to start your day. Alternatively, transform it into a tulsi latte with the addition of your favourite plant-based milk! Tulsi is traditionally used as part of a holistic approach to wellbeing. Therefore, to get the most out of this adaptogen, you could consider combining it with other aspects of Ayurveda. That includes eating a nutritious whole food diet, engaging in gentle exercise like yoga, and taking care of your mental health. No matter how you choose to enjoy your tulsi tea, it’s a delicious and wellness-boosting addition to your drink repertoire!