August/September 2019 27
;\SZPPZX\PJRSILJVTPUNYLUV^ULKMVYP[Z ability to act on blood sugar. For those with non-insulin-dependent diabetes, tulsi can be a remarkable herbal ally to help lower ISVVKZ\NHYZPNUPÄJHU[S/WVNSJLTPJHUK
HU[PV_PKHU[YPJO[\SZPSLH]LZÅV^LYZHUK
stems are used to stabilize the blood sugar,
maintain the function of the pancreas, and
scavenge for free radicals in the body.^5
Use the delectable combo of cinnamon
and tulsi together in a tea, dish, or extract
to pack a major blood-sugar punch as
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sure to check with your healthcare
provider before using tulsi medicinally
if you have low blood sugar, are
already using insulin, or are taking any
pharmaceuticals to treat diabetes.
Tulsi (^) + Blood Sugar ;OLYLHYL
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VM[\SZPIH HYPL[PLZ
ZPS^P[O/PUK\U
HUKZSPNO HTLZ
[SKPɈLYPUNÅH]V Krishna, YWYVÄSLZ! Rama, and Vana . Good news, chefs! If you grow tulsi in your herb garden and can get ahold of some of the fresh herb, not only will you be delighted with her perfume, but you will find that tulsi is a delectable substitute in many recipes that call for sweet or Thai basil. Think pesto, tomato sauce, broth, meatloaf, spring rolls, and much more. Dried tulsi can also be used in a similar way but will not be quite as potent as the fresh, aromatic leaf. Love the taste of tulsi but not ready to smother your food in it? Try simply using tulsi tea or extract (diluted in a little water) as a mouthwash. Used orally in this way, tulsi has been proven to kill common oral bacteria as effectively as any mainstream mouthwash, act as an astringent that tightens the gum tissue, and promote good dental hygiene and fresh breath.^6 Tulsi’s antimicrobial actions make it a wonderful water purifier as well.^7 And if you see tulsi as an ingredient in your skin- care products, don’t be surprised: Its virtues extend to topical use, and tulsi has long been known for its power to enhance and soften one’s beauty, inside and out. Tulsi^ as food and^ med icine Some (^) refer to t ulsi (^) as the (^) “quee of (^) herbs,” (^) while n ginseng root is c the “king of (^) he onsidered rbs.” Both herb classic adaptog s (^) are ens. ;OPZWV^LYM\SZ OPLSKVMHWSHU[PZ ^VYZOPWWLKPU ZVKL]V\[S
(`\Y]LKPJ[YHKP[PV
Vedic saying (^) w U[OH[VUL
arns us, (^) “If you d
growing in fro on’t have tulsi
nt of your house
well (^) not (^) have a , (^) you (^) might as
house.”