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Tonight I harvested the gorgeous and abundant Holy Basil plants that have grown in my garden this summer. I tinctured them to store their medicine for the upcoming months when I won’t be able to make tea from the fragrant leaves and blossoms. Tincturing this plant is done with such reverence and joy and I’m left with a feeling of deep peace.
I often wish that photos could somehow transmit the aroma of a plant because for me the sight and smell are so intertwined. In the case of Holy Basil this wish is stronger than ever! The smell is a mix of the gorgeous fragrance of Basil and a fruitiness that transfers to your hands when you touch it. As special as Holy Basil is I feel that most species of Basil work similarly to calm and support during times of overwhelm. I’ll never forget the my first cup of Basil tea! I had just bought a bunch at a Farmer’s Market and I felt called to make an infusion out of some fresh leaves. I poured boiling water over it, and covered it with a saucer. So much of the power of Basil is in the aromatic oils. They get captured in the beads of water that you find on the underside of the saucer after about ten minutes of steeping. I brushed them back in to the mug and added some honey. A few minutes later I felt waves of pure bliss and ease wash over me. I was shocked at how thoroughly I was calmed by this plant that had always been relegated to cooking.
That was almost twenty years ago, before I knew that Basil is classified as a nervine (an herb that supports the nervous system). I’ve come to find that it can be of incredible support for people who are withdrawing from drug or alcohol use. Basil, regular Genovese Basil became part of my herbal reportoire for those who suffer from regular bouts of tension and anxiety.
The beautiful thing about Holy Basil is that it can be used for acute episodes of tension and can also be called upon for its benefits as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are herbs that nourish our bodies through times of change, with non-specific effects on the systems of the body. Holy Basil is an herb that I like to work with for people during seasonal change, exhaustion leaning towards adrenal fatigue and especially for those of the Ayurvedic dosha Vata. Since Vata people tend towards being cold and dry it is wonderful to be able to introduce them to a plant that can balance these qualities with its warm and pungent properties. I have only used Holy Basil as an adaptogen and have yet to try other varieties in this case.
When I share Holy Basil tincture with friends and clients the reaction is often that it went straight to the head and chest, clearing tension like a wave. This resonates with a description from Dr. David Frawley and Vasant Lad in the book “The Yoga of Herbs” in which they state that Holy Basil “opens the heart and mind, bestowing the energy of love and devotion.”
I invite you to experiment with all species of Basil and let me know about your experiences!
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