If you know me then you would know, plants are my thing; especially herbs. Make them adaptogenic and awesome like holy basil and I can talk about them ad-infinitum. Out of all the amazing plants out there, a few are my favourites with Holy Basil being my top fave.
In Ayurvedic medicine, Holy Basil (aka Tulsi, aka Ocimum Sanctum) has been a staple herb used to make people feel better for centuries. In India, it is considered one of the most sacred plants for both spiritual and healing purposes.
Holy basil is considered a broad-spectrum herb that has been proven to address both physical, metabolic and psychological stresses through an amazing array of plant compounds. While I will unpack more about this glorious herb at a later date; for now I want to write about why holy basil is a great pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.
Here are my top 3 reasons to use holy basil for your aches and pains:
Holy basil contains plant compounds called Eugenol. This compound is found in cloves, cinnamon, lemon balm, and holy basil and can act as an analgesic by blocking nerve conduction and is also considered antibacterial. Dentists often use a high concentrated version of eugenol on gums to numb them before inserting needles. This could be one of the reasons people with arthritis and pain find relief when using this herb regularly.
Holy basil contains the plant compound caryophyllene which is a terpene that can bind to our CB2 receptors which are mostly located within the peripheral endocannabinoid system. It is well known to reduce inflammation in the body.
Holy basil contains ursolic acid (UA) which is a triterpene found in some fruits and vegetables. Ursolic acid has shown to be a beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
While most us relate using holy basil to help with modern stresses, it’s power is actually far more reaching. If you have aches and pains, go to the doctor, but also try adding holy basil into your life, you will be glad you did.