I don’t know about you, but it seems that everyone is experiencing a lot of chaos and challenge right now! Here we are, in the first weeks of Spring — a big shift in energy — and it’s coming in with full force right now! For some, this is bringing us face to face with our core limiting beliefs — those beliefs that stop us from feeling our best. Depression, anxiety, feeling misunderstood and feeling unappreciated or unloved seems to be coming up a lot. It may even feel we’ve entered into a whirlwind and can’t find our footing.
This is a good time to pause for a cup of tea!
Does that sound too simple? It is simple, which makes this even better! The tea I’m suggesting is tulsi tea or holy basil.
Holy basil is an adaptogenic herb, which means it helps the body and mind deal with stress and chaos. It has a regulating effect on the body and mind, keeping everything in balance. It’s my favorite go-to when life gets crazy and I need a little respite.
Here’s What Holy Basil Does
(and there’s even scientific studies to prove it, for those who love research)
- Helps to reduce the negative effects of stress on the body
- Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Provides antioxidants, which help fight free radicals
- Anti-ulcer and can help treat ulcers
- Improves and regulates digestion, including stomach acid, which can reduce reflux
- Wonderful for the skin
- Anti-cancer
- Helps regulate blood sugar (anti-diabetic)
- Aids in thyroid health
- Helps regulate cholesterol
- Is a mood booster – helps raise serotonin, the happiness hormone
Liquid Yoga
The study I referenced in the link above even calls holy basil “liquid yoga” because consuming it nourishes the body, mind and spirit the way yoga does!
So drinking a cup of holy basil tea is a wonderful way to take a mind-body-spirit TIME OUT so that you can feel better. Regular consumption makes a difference. You can even make iced holy basil tea to replace cool drinks for warmer weather.
Here’s a Holy Basil Tea Recipe For Your Spring Reboot
Option 1 is to just get some tulsi/holy basil tea bags and use one or two bags in a cup of hot water.
Option 2 (my favorite) is to use loose leaf holy basil tea. I get mine at MountainRoseHerbs.com because it’s a great price for a pound of organic lose leaf holy basil tea. I love the Krishna holy basil best, but apparently so does everyone else and it’s out of stock a lot. The Vana and Rama forms of holy basil are also wonderful options!
To Make Your Loose Leaf Tea
- 8 oz boiling water
- 1 tablespoon loose leaf tulsi/holy basil tea
Put the tea into a tea strainer or muslin bag and place in your empty teacup. Pour boiling water over the tea and allow to steep for 5 – 10 minutes. Sip and enjoy. I love adding the juice of 1/2 squeezed lemon. The tea is naturally slightly sweet and a little honey or stevia can add extra sweetness, if desired.
If You Want To Make Iced Tea
Just use 8 oz. water and 1 tablespoon loose tea as your guide for how many cups you want to make. I will often put 8 cups water and 8 tablespoons holy basil tea into a saucepan, bring to a gentle boil, then remove from the heat and steep for 10 minutes. Then strain with a fine mesh strainer into a covered glass pitcher and chill in the refrigerator. This is a huge hit at dinner parties or gatherings. Slice a few lemons to serve with each glass or float on the top of the iced tea.
Stopping to drink a cup of tea — any herbal tea can be used if you don’t have holy basil — is a great way to bring gentle nourishment into the body. The act of taking time out for yourself is a great way to take a hiatus from all the chaos happening around you. You’re worth it!
What is your favorite kind of tea?
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