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Organic Tulsi Teas
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It isn't often that I discover a new tea herb with a fabulous flavor and stunning health benefits. So imagine my delight when I was sipping for the first time a cup of freshly brewed Tulsi tea on an expedition to India in quest of meeting this herb. The color in the cup was a wonderful emerald green (sorry, but it is only that color when brewed fresh) and the aroma arising to my nostrils was as enticing as any tea I'd ever inhaled. The flavor sent my head reeling as I had one of those "Eureka!" moments knowing I was in the presence of the next major herb to rock the herbal tea market in America.
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 Krishna Tulsi
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A little history: Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, has been revered for more than 5,000 years in India where ancient Ayurvedic texts call it "The Incomparable One", "The Queen of Herbs" and "The Mother Medicine of Nature". Ayurveda, which in Sanskrit means "knowledge of life" is the ancient, traditional health system of India. Tulsi is one of the principle herbs of Ayurveda, where it is considered the primary protector of health. Hindu households in India have a potted Tulsi plant in their home or garden that they use when illness strikes and also in sacred rituals of purification. Tulsi is actually worshipped as the incarnation of the Goddess, Tulsi, who wanted to worship and show her devotion to the God Vishnu, known as the protector in Hindu mythology, by incarnating into a plant for the benefit of the people.
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Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum, is a member of the mint family as is its cousin, our garden basil, which we use for making popular pesto sauces and as a seasoning in Italian cooking. However, Tulsi has a completely different flavor profile than garden basil and comes in three varieties, Rama, Krishna and Vana, each with their own distinct flavor notes of spices and lemon.
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 Indian Tulsi Farmers With Organic India Founders
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As you know, my motto for optimal health is to build an abundant supply of energy naturally through good nutrition, exercise and herbs without the use of any stimulant drugs like caffeine. My first cups of Tulsi gave me a rush of energy that offset the jet lag I should have been suffering from with a 13 hours time difference between India and California. Yet it didn't interfere with my sleep! A powerful adaptogenic herb like ginseng, Tulsi can increase endurance while decreasing stress, giving you the energy to keep going while feeling calmer.
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With antioxidant properties, Tulsi also stimulates the immune system to help protect the body from pathogenic invaders. Now at the first sign of a cold or sore throat, I drink a few cups of Tulsi tea and many times have found my body will return to harmony and balance without getting sick. Tulsi's aromatic oils in its leaf have shown numerous antibiotic and antiviral properties. Traditionally, Tulsi is used in Ayurvedic medicine for coughs, colds, asthma and to strengthen the respiratory system. It is also considered an excellent heart tonic and studies show it helps lower blood pressure. Tulsi is beneficial for the digestion and may help lower insulin resistance thus helping to balance the blood sugar.
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 Indian Farmer Harvesting Tulsi
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I was invited by Organic India, the company that grows in India the organic chicory used in Teeccino, to a harvest festival of over 5,000 small holder Indian farmers to see the benefits that growing Tulsi was having for these farmer's livelihoods and health. As you can hear, I fell in love with Tulsi and agreed to create a line of Tulsi Teas using the three varieties of Tulsi leaves in each blend. They wanted 12 teas, but I couldn't stop myself. Tulsi lent itself to so many wonderful flavor variations I produced 18 teas. Unable to choose between them, Organic India accepted them all! I hope you enjoy these teas and find them beneficial to your health as much as I have.
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 Stripping Tulsi Leaves From Stalk After Harvest
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