Growing & Using Tulsi (Holy Basil)

Another great medicinal herb is Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), otherwise known as Holy Basil. Tulsi has to be one of the easiest herbs (in my opinion) to grow and if you continuously harvest it throughout the season, the plant will continue to grow larger and you will have all the Tulsi your heart desires.

Tulsi is an adaptogenic herb (Herbs that improve the ability of the body to adapt to stress. They promote well-being, balance, and health. Adaptogens help regulate or normalize organ and system function on a broad basis.) It is an antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and has been shown to help improve metabolic conditions, reduce inflammation, improve immunity, as well as improve stress and brain health.

Growing Tulsi

If planting from seed, sprinkle your seeds over your soil and cover them lightly with 1/4” of soil. Keep the soil wet, but not soggy. It typically takes 6-12 days for the seeds to germinate. The seeds need light to germinate, so keep them under a grow light or bright, indirect sunlight.

Once the seeds have sprouted and have grown enough to have true leaves and are a few inches high, you will want to harden the plants off to transplant outside. It is not recommended to plant them directly outside until the soil has warmed and temperatures don’t go below 50 degrees.

Choose a sunny location where your Tulsi plants can get 4-6 hours of sunlight a day. You will want to water when the soil starts to get slightly dry on top, but make sure the soil is damp, but not soggy. When pruning the plant, make sure to pinch off any discolored or dying leaves so the plant uses its energy to grow new healthy leaves.

When your plants reach between 8”-10” high, you can start harvesting leaves by pinching them off at the stem. After harvesting, you can use fresh in teas or cooking or you can preserve them by dehydrating, freeze drying, or freezing.

Happy growing!

*I am not a certified medical practitioner. This post is not intended to diagnose or treat and is for informational purposes only. Please contact your medical care professional before introducing new herbal remedies into your routine.

Sources:

https://www.vitacost.com/blog/herbal-medicine-glossary/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296439/

https://draxe.com/nutrition/holy-basil-benefits/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5376420/