In India, the holy basil plant is sacred and holy, often used in religious ceremonies and for energetic protection. The plant’s presence in the home is thought to stave off disease and repel insects and foreign smells. Here’s how holy basil might help to relieve symptoms of adrenal fatigue and thyroid imbalance. Adaptogenic herbs such as holy basil support the body’s response to stress and its ability to naturally cope with occasional anxiety and fatigue—slowly and gently, without jolts or crashes. They’re called adaptogens because of their unique ability to “adapt” their function according to your body’s specific needs—such as relieving brain fog, improving mental clarity, or boosting metabolism. For thyroid health, holy basil’s effect on cortisol might provide improvement as well. Since the adrenal glands direct the thyroid gland, high cortisol levels may lead to a sluggish thyroid. Using holy basil may improve your thyroid health by balancing the cortisol levels first. Studies also ѕuggеѕt that holy basil can рrоtесt thе lіvеr аgаіnѕt tоxіс сhеmісаlѕ, lоwеr high blood ѕugаr, аіd memory, and inhibit the growth аnd progression оf саnсеr The plant assists the body by protecting it from toxins. The protective ability is thought to be due to the high levels of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant properties2. The black/purple variety of holy basil, called Krishna tulsi, has a higher phenolic content than the standard plant. Holy basil іѕ also said to be beneficial іn increasing the immunity оf the body. The plant hеlрѕ promote the рrоduсtіоn оf antibodies and increases the рrоduсtіоn of T-helper сеllѕ that fight infections. While holy basil may contribute to lower cortisol levels and provide support for the immune system and other key players in a healthy physiological ecosystem, it’s advised to follow a proper personalized adrenal fatigue recovery plan. If you’re in advanced stages of adrenal fatigue, the body can be very sensitive to any form of supplementation, and you may require additional nutrients prior, based on guidance from your practitioner. To discover more about herbs, essential oils, and holistic lifestyle rituals to support your body in healing from adrenal fatigue and thyroid imbalance, I encourage you to dive deeper into your healing with the Thyroid Yoga mbg course. These are the four best adaptogens for balancing stress and women’s health. Fern has partnered with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon at The Ash Center for Comprehensive Medicine, Dr. Robin Berzin and Dr. Jeffrey Egler at Parsley Health, among leading health practitioners, expert yoga instructors, and brilliant entrepreneurs. Together with these exceptional doctors and renowned practitioners, she offers Thyroid Yoga® in tandem with integrative medical practices, yoga studios, and wellness centers. Fern is a certified Reiki practitioner and registered yoga teacher.
