In this post I explain how to and why use holy basil herb if you suffer from adrenal fatigue, anxiety, stress or sleep problems. I also cover holy basil’s safety and potential drug interactions (important!) and discuss safe dose guidelines.

I’ve been successfully using holy basil in herbal mixes for my adrenal fatigue/ exhaustion, anxious clients who also suffer from insomnia or high stress, among others.

As a bonus, you can download my FREE sleep guide: Top 3 Nutrition Tips For Better Sleep Tonight! to help you start sleeping better tonight!

Let’s get started!

Holy basil: an ancient herb

Ever since I’ve been helping clients to recover from adrenal fatigue (or adrenal burnout), I keep researching many natural medicines such as herbs, nutritional supplements and nutrition-dense foods to gauge which ones work best for them.

As a herbalist trained in the western tradition, I mostly prescribe herbs used in the European/ North American material media; however, I’ve also been investigating other healing systems such as Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine for their herbal medicine suggestions for stress, fatigue and anxiety.

Subsequently, I came across a herb called Holy Basil that have been used for thousands of years in the Orient. I then started to include it in the adrenal and sleep herbal mixes with impressive clinical results.

These days I use holy basil for a number of conditions which will be discussed in this blog.

Benefits of Holy Basil

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) 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 throughout history. Its other name is “Tulsi” which means “incomparable one” as, according to Ayurveda, the herb also has effect on the spiritual aspects facilitating expanded states of awareness.

Others call it an “elixir of life” as it promotes longevity and relaxation or a “rasayana”- a herb that nourishes a person’s growth to perfect health, both physical and spiritual.

With such a rich history of traditional use and therapeutic actions I investigated it more to see how well it could work for my clients as well as for myself.

My clinical focus has been mainly on holy basil’s anti-stress and anti-fatigue applications but of course it has many flow-on effects on other body systems, as they are connected and influence each other at all times.

Holy basil has a broad range of applications and indications, its main effects and benefits include:

  • Endocrine system – stress modulation/ reduction*, fatigue* reduction, promoting longevity*, lowering of blood sugar levels in diabetes (type 1 and 2)*, metabolic syndrome
  • Nervous system – memory and cognition improvements*, alleviates anxiety and depression, insomnia, migraine headaches, headaches, Alzheimer’s disease
  • Immunity – systemic anti-inflammatory, infections and problems of the respiratory tract including asthma; microbial and viral infections – colds, flu, coughs; cancer prevention; lessens the side-effects of radiotherapy treatments in cancer; anti-fungal (e.g. in candida infections)
  • Cardiovascular system – heart disease*- known to be “good for the heart”*, high cholesterol*, atherosclerosis*
  • Digestion – ulcers (peptic, gastric and duodenal ulcers)*, diarrhoea, flatulence, leaky gut, liver disease (e.g. drug/ alcohol induced liver injury)
  • Skinwound healing, skin infections

*Uses investigated and confirmed by current research. references available on request.

Holy basil for stress reduction and calming the nervous system

Holy basil is a relatively well-studied herb, with research that has demonstrated that it can improve anxiety and depression, and reduce stress – both physical and emotional.

The exact mechanism of action is yet to be determined although research has shown that holy basil decreases the amount of cortisol released during stress without the adverse side-effects of prescription medications.

In addition, holy basil has the capacity to increase physical and emotional endurance thus increasing the resilience to all stressors. As already mentioned, it lowers blood sugar levels which in turn reduces cravings and stabilises moods, and thus facilitates weight loss. Blood sugar imbalances are common in adrenal fatigue because cortisol is involved in blood sugar management in the body.

Holy basil has been traditionally used to support people through times of stress, working as adaptogen (i.e. substance that balances and protects the body by improving resistance to any type of physiological or mental stress) and anxiolytic (decreasing anxiety).

One of the most strongly supported actions of this herb is that of an adaptogen, with current research supporting its traditional use in managing acute and chronic stress and fatigue.

Chronic stress has been shown to increase the levels of oxidative stress and free radicals. Holy basil enhances the levels and activities of endogenous antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes including glutathione and superoxide dismutase.

In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial researchers evaluated the efficacy of an extract of holy basil in the symptomatic control of general stress (1). They concluded that the effect of holy basil supplementation over placebo on comparison was considerable for all stress parameters measured. The treatment showed 39% improvement in general stress symptoms over and above the placebo.

The significant finding in this study was the reduced intensity of forgetfulness, reduced symptom scores of sexual problems (stress related), and the effective relief from frequent feelings of fatigue and sleep problems.

Holy basil has also demonstrated ability to improve exercise endurance. The 2012 animal study demonstrated that after 2 weeks of supplementation (at a dose around 300mg/kg/day), the herb has protected muscles from exercise-induced injury, reduced levels of lactic acid, and extended exercise time before exhaustion (2).

The herb has been clinically trialed in treating generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) in a small, controlled 60-day clinical trial (3). The results indicated that taking the herb significantly improved anxiety, stress, depression and attention span in subjects suffering from GAD, with the greatest improvements occurring at the completion of 60 days of treatment.

Other research has indicated that holy basil has a strong antioxidant action in the brain resulting in improved memory and slower cognition decline. Free radicals have been associated with ischaemic brain lesions, development and progression of degenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, and general decline in memory and cognition due to chronic stress.

Safety of Holy Basil

Holy basil has been found to be safe in clinical trials for short- and long-term use. However, it’s not recommended for pregnancy and lactation, and it may act as a male contraceptive agent when taking in large doses.

In vivo studies have investigated acute single doses of 2,000 mg/kg and long-term doses of 5, 50, and 300 mg/kg/day for 28 days with no morbidity and mortality or pathological changes observed (1).

It may also act as a male contraceptive agent in large  doses (animal study).

Potential drug interactions

According to the Natural Medicines Database (2016), the following are the known potential drug interactions for holy basil:

  • Anticoagulant/ Antiplatelet drugs

Theoretically, holy basil seed oil might increase the risk of bleeding when combined with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. In an animal model, holy basil seed oil prolongs bleeding time, possibly due to inhibition of platelet aggregation. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs that might interact with holy basil seed oil include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

  • Pentobarbital (Nembutal) – it’s a group of drugs called barbiturates. The drug slows the activity of the brain and nervous system. Pentobarbital is used short-term to treat insomnia. It’s also used as an emergency treatment for seizures (source: Drugs.com)

Theoretically, combining holy basil seed oil and pentobarbital might increase the sedative effects of pentobarbital. In an animal model, holy basil seed oil increased pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time. It’s not known if this occurs in humans or if this applies to other barbiturates or sedatives.

  • Caution should be used when combining treatment with other medications that are metabolised via cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver, as holy basil has been shown to modulate this system in vitro (animal studies).

Holy basil dose guidelines

For general preventive therapy, the dosage range recommended in review literature is 300 mg – 2,000 mg of holy basil extract for a single dose on a daily basis. For curative therapy, 600 – 1,800 mg daily in divided doses have been used.

For diabetes, 2,500 mg dried leaf powder ingested daily, or one teaspoon of the dried herb brewed daily in 1 cup of water have been used (source: Gaia Herbs).

Sleep and adrenal fatigue

Sleeping better is one of the most underrated as well as the easiest and most simple things you CAN do to improve your health fast – starting today. There is no way to get around sleep to be and stay healthy, and there is no substitute for it.

Holy basil helps with sleep disorders as well, it reduces high cortisol which is known to cause insomnia and/ or frequent awakenings during night due to the drop in blood sugar which triggers adrenaline release from the adrenal glands. The herb also helps to decrease anxiety about not being able to fall asleep and/ or sleep throughout the night.

Having seen many fantastic outcomes of improving sleep in my practice, I was compelled to write this short guide to give you the most important, simplest and common sense steps you can do right now to get sounder and more restful sleep tonight. 

FREE Sleep Guide download

Top 3 Nutrition Tips For Better Sleep Tonight! Key nutrition tips for insomnia PLUS my top 3 bedtime snacks for deeper and restful sleep

What will you gain from this guide?

Free sleep guide naturimedica

If you’re currently suffering from insomnia and/ or interrupted sleep, especially if they are related to fatigue, adrenal fatigue, anxiety or hypoglycemia, this guide will provide you with what you need to do to sleep better.

Download the Top 3 Nutrition Tips For Better Sleep Tonight! Free Guide here and start sleeping better tonight!

Summary

Holy basil proved to be a great addition to my herb dispensary and I’ve been successfully using it in herbal mixes for my adrenal fatigue/ exhaustion and anxious clients.

They also get additional benefits the herb offers such increased capacity for physical and emotional endurance, lowering blood sugar levels reducing sugar cravings and promoting safe weight loss, among others.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact me to discuss how to start recovering from adrenal fatigue/burnout utilising powerful adaptogenic herbs such as holy basil, rhodiola, Siberian ginseng, licorice and others.

To book a consultation, either in person or via Zoom click the button below. I also offer a free 25-minute initial discussion to talk about your circumstances and how I can help.

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Please note that at present I’m able to consult with Australia-based clients only.

Please note that the above material is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult with your health practitioner or doctor for advice specific to your circumstances.

Always consult a qualified herbalist before using herbs in any form.

Best of Health
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Joanna Sochan
Wholistic Health and Lifestyle Therapist
Natural and Lifestyle Therapies for Abundant Health and Wellbeing

References

1) Efficacy of an Extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum (OciBest) in the Management of General Stress: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study; Ram Chandra Saxena,1 Rakesh Singh,2 Parveen Kumar,3 Mahendra P. Singh Negi,4 Vinod S. Saxena,5 Periasamy Geetharani,6 Joseph Joshua Allan,6 and Kudiganti Venkateshwarlu6; Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 894509, 7 pages
2) Antifatigue Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Ocimum sanctum in Rats; MP Venu Prasad, Farhath Khanum; Research Journal of Medicinal Plant, Year: 2012 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 37-46
3) Controlled programmed trial of Ocimum sanctum leaf on generalized anxiety disorders. Bhattacharyya D1, Sur TK, Jana U, Debnath PK.; Nepal Med Coll J. 2008 Sep;10(3):176-9.
4) www.optimalrx.com

Additional resources

Disclaimer: The above material is for informational and/or educational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescription or recommendation. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should not make any changes in their health regimen or diet before first consulting a doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions they may have regarding a medical condition or their particular circumstances.

Joanna Sochan is a Natural Therapist and founder of Naturimedica Holistic Wellcare. She has a passion for helping her clients transform their lives by becoming healthy and well naturally. Joanna has 12+ years experience in clinical practice and has special interest in solving complex cases, functional medicine, gut health, sleep, fatigue and chronic pain. Joanna guides her clients through her programs and eCourses as well as helping clients individually, mostly online, Australia-wide. View full bio.

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