tulsi (holy basil)
Ocimum tenuiflorum, sin. O. sanctum
---Flavor Profile and Uses
---Identification
---Harvesting Instructions
- When prepared as a tea, has a delicious, floral, very distinct scent and flavor with a natural sweetness that can be described as somewhere between mint, basil, anise, and clove
- Can also be taken in tinctures, elixirs, or powder capsules
- Builds energy, is uplifting to the spirit, and brings and overall sense of well-being
- Is anti-inflammatory and good for releasing stress and easing anxiety
- Externally, can be used to make hydrosols, spritzers, and skin washes
- Aromatics are refreshing and ease feelings of debilitation and exhaustion
- Antimicrobial properties help to tone and heal the skin
---Identification
- An erect, bushy plant that usually grows about 2' tall
- Leaves are lance shaped and, depending on the variety, range from green to purple
- Flowers grow on spikes and are a deep purple with stamens that are a vibrant orange
- Thrives in rich soils with ample moisture and full sun and is extremely sensitive to frost
---Harvesting Instructions
- Harvest plants when they are flowering, before they have gone to seed
- Due to high moisture and essential oil content, plants should be processed right after harvest
- Cut the entire aerial portion of the plant and hang in bundles upside down in an area protected from the elements with good airflow, checking every couple of days
- Once completely dry, store in an airtight container (preferably with paper or desiccation packets added to absorb moisture and prevent molding over time)
Carpenter, Jeff, and Carpenter, Melanie. The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2015.