Tulsi, also known as "Holy Basil", is a type of mint that is lovely when brewed into an infusion. Drink this beverage hot or cold, with or without your favorite sweetener.
Total carbs 0g per cup, only 2g with honey
What Is Tulsi Tea?
Here's what Isabel from MEVO Fresh Roots Farm, the grower of the tulsi pictured here, has to say about it:
Tulsi is a medicinal plant originating in India and Southeast Asia with adaptogenic properties, used for thousands of years for all kinds of mental and physical ailments and for general wellness. Adaptogens are a special class of herbs/mushrooms that relieve stress in the body, the precursor to all disease. Tulsi is both enlivening and calming, usually prepared as a tea. For our bunch size, boil about 4 cups of water, turn off heat, and throw in the whole bunch of herbs. COVER tightly to capture all aromatic compounds, and steep for 10-20 minutes. Drink hot as is or let cool overnight and ice. Stir in sweetener while still warm if you wish. Iced Tulsi Tea & Honey are a match made in heaven. If you are taking medications, check if Tulsi is right for you.
Isabel
What Is Tulsi, aka "Holy Basil"?
Holy basil, (Ocimum tenuiflorum), also called tulsi or tulasi, flowering plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae) grown for its aromatic leaves. ... It is reminiscent of clove, Italian basil (Ocimum basilicum), and mint and has a peppery spiciness.
Encyclopædia Britannica Online
Tulsi Tea Flavor
What does tulsi tea taste like? It is a bit like grassy mint. It's refreshing with a bit of honey and lemon.
Ingredients in Tulsi Tea
- A handful of fresh tulsi or a tablespoon of dried leaves.
- Lemon and honey are optional. Adding a tablespoon of honey to 8 cups of tea, will yield 2 grams of carbs per cup of tea. You can decide if this is appropriate for your carb budget.
- Alternatively you may sweeten your tea with your choice of a sugar substitute such as monk fruit or stevia.
How To Make Tulsi Tea
Tulsi tea is basically an herbal infusion.
Place herbs in a jar, teapot or mug.
Pour hot (just simmered) water over them.
Cover tightly to capture all aromatic compounds in the steam.
Let the herb steep between 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the strength you desire.
Strain. Strain the herbs from the tea with a strainer and compost them.
Where To Buy Tulsi Tea
I got this beautiful bunch of fresh holy basil from MEVO Fresh Roots Farm. Since tulsi is a member of the mint family they are relatively easy to grow as an herb at home. Or you can buy dried leaves from the store.
Storing Tulsi Tea
Store in the fridge
You can store the tea in a covered jar in the fridge for up to a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is valued for its adaptogenic properties, meaning that it helps the body adapt to stress and boosts the immune system. It has a soothing and restorative effect. According to this article published in the National Library of Medicine:
u0022There is mounting evidence that tulsi can address physical, chemical, metabolic and psychological stress through a unique combination of pharmacological actions. 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.u0022
While drinking tulsi in tea form is basically safe, eating tulsi leaves can cause side effects. The leaves are a potent source of eugenol, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat and convulsions.
According to Times of India you can drink it daily.
No. While they share u0022basilu0022 as a common name, tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) belongs to a different plant family. Tulsi is actually a type of mint, a perennial herb.
Tulsi Tea
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 cups 1x
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
Tulsi, also known as "Holy Basil", is a type of mint that is lovely when brewed into an infusion. Drink this beverage hot or cold, with or without your favorite sweetener.
Ingredients
- 2 quarts (8 cups) of water
- 1 handful of tulsi leaves
- 1 tablespoon honey or your favorite low-carb sweetener (optional)
Instructions
- Place tulsi in a jar, teapot or mug.
- Pour hot (just simmered) water over them.
- Cover tightly.
- Let the herb steep between 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the strength you desire.
- Strain the herbs from the tea with a strainer.
Notes
Cover tightly to capture all aromatic compounds that rise in the steam.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-20 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Brew
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: tulsi, holy basil, mint, diabetic, low-carb, keto, healthy, herbal, tea, Ayurvedic
Cindy says
Thanks I had never heard of this before!
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Anne says
Very cool, sounds like a great mint flavored tea.
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Mandy Applegate says
This was a new drink to me but I love it!
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Donna says
I like to think of myself as a bit of a tea connoisseur, but I have never heard of Tulsi tea before! So glad this introduced me to it, now a big fan!
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Jennifer says
I love trying new things and this caught my eye! It's fabulous, and I love that it's a low-carb pick-me-up!
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Robin Donovan says
I can't wait to try this!
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Aimee says
Easy and so good!
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laura says
I'd never heard of it now I can't wait to make it!!
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Linda says
What an interesting tea and it's so minty good!
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Kathy Hester says
Tulsi tea is so good and my friend grew a ton of it. Thanks for the great recipe.
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Lynn Polito says
I love this recipe! It tastes amazing!
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Sherry Ronning says
This Tulsi tea hit the spot!!
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Verónica says
As other mentioned above, I have never heard of this tea before. I will definitely try it . Great pictures, it looks delicious!!!
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Sachi says
Veronica, Thank you! Definitely give it a try! Holy Basil is a member of the mint family so it is more like a mellowed out mint tea 😀