A very wise man once said "Nature itself is the best physician", we have everything we need and we always have. The most powerful medicine grows all around us we only need the wisdom and the motivation to understand it. 

Holy basil, or Tulsi, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It is most prized for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, as well as its effects on immune modulation. Holy basil is an adaptogen meaning it balances, restores, and protects the body and it’s electromagnetic energies. It is particularly beneficial during times of seasonal changes as it assists the body through temperature transitions. Is it any wonder it has earned the names "Elixir of Life" and "Mother Medicine of Nature"?

In this study “Tulsi - Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons” we can see the all encompassing nature of this plant medicine:

“There is mounting evidence that tulsi can address physical, chemical, metabolic and psychological stress through a unique combination of pharmacological actions. Tulsi has been found to protect organs and tissues against chemical stress from industrial pollutants and heavy metals, and physical stress from prolonged physical exertion, ischemia, physical restraint and exposure to cold and excessive noise. Tulsi has also been shown to counter metabolic stress through normalization of blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid levels, and psychological stress through positive effects on memory and cognitive function and through its anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties. Tulsi's broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, which includes activity against a range of human and animal pathogens, suggests it can be used as a hand sanitizer, mouthwash and water purifier as well as in animal rearing, wound healing, the preservation of food stuffs and herbal raw materials and traveler's health.”

This is one power packed herb you want in your home medicine cabinet. The best, most economical and sustainable way to stock up on this amazing mother healer, is by growing it yourself. Holy basil is a very easy plant to grow from seed. For those of us in Ohio, this plant is an annual but will reseed itself for new plants the next growing season. Another benefit of growing your own is that you are in control of its environment and have the added benefit of connecting with its energy on a deeper level. Even if you don’t have much room you can grow holy basil in a pot on the porch, just be sure to give it plenty of water.

Drying herbs is easy too! It’s as simple as cutting, bundling and hanging to dry. I use a collapsible laundry drying rack when I have end of season herbal harvests because it can hold quite a few bundles. The key is keeping the herb out of direct sunlight and keeping them dry. You can use the holy basil leaves in a tea or use alcohol to make a tincture.

If you are interested in learning more about making your own herbal medicines, I highly recommend the book “Heal Local” by Dawn Combs. Dawn is an ethnobotanist, homestead herbalist with over 20 years of experience, and a native to Ohio. She offers classes and herbal apprenticeships on her farm in Marysville, Ohio.

Every year is an opportunity to learn and grow. Make a promise to grow one new thing every year whether herbal medicinal, food, or flower. Revel in the tiny miracles of life and the macrocosms of inter-relationships. My challenge to you is to get out there get your hands and feet dirty and grow!!!

Michelle Cotterman, RN APP is a co-founder of Health Freedom Ohio. She is the mother of two naturally raised children. Her continuing education focuses on Holistic Health and includes Polarity Therapy, Homeopathy, and Herbalism. Michelle has been studying the science behind vaccines and the vaccine industry since 2010.