special subjects
Holy Basil
What is holy basil?
The scientific name of holy basil isOcimum tenuiflorum. The Hindu name for holy basil is tulsi, which means the incomparable one. Other names for this plant are Thai basil and brush-leaf tea. Holy basil is a plant that is native to India but also grows in Australia, West Africa, and some Middle Eastern countries. This herb has been used for more than 3,000 years as part of Ayurvedic medicine in India. Hindus view holy basil as a sacred plant, and they often plant it around Hindu shrines. Medicine is made from the leaves, stems, and seeds of holy basil plants. Some people use holy basil in cooking (and it is sometimes called "hot basil" in cookbooks) because of its bitter, spicy taste. Holy basil is available in dietary supplements in the form of pills and capsules, and its essential oil is distilled from the plant's leaves and flowers. (See also Overview of Dietary Supplements .) 