Holy Basil & The Body

Holy basil quickly became one of my favorite herbs upon initial discovery. My body was in need of adaptogens; my nervous system was crying out for them. The anxiety disrupted sleep patterns, constant cravings for comfort foods, overwork, and feeling overwhelmed – living in the world after COVID, baby, it was a lot. Adaptogens supported my nervous system and assisted with emotional stress. In times of infection or other medical conditions, holy basil is also effective.

Let's talk synergy. In simplified terms, synergy is all about things working together, a concept prevalent throughout the plant and animal kingdom, as well as in gardening, where it's exemplified in companion planting. But why is synergy important in the body, you may ask? It's the essence of healing, using herbs that complement each other to help the body function at its best.

I must stress that if one continues to consume fast food, neglect veggies and fresh foods, and ignore hydration, herbs won't work as a magical cure. Establishing a synergy, a relationship with oneself and the herbs, is paramount. In my personal opinion, herbalism is about self-love.

Deciding to pair holy basil with Persian silk flowers and bark from the tree resulted in a euphoric tincture. I crafted this blend to help ease my discomfort in large, crowded places, calming my nervous system and quieting my anxiety. After using this tincture for about a month, I felt compelled to add it to my shop.

I gather the flowers during late spring and early summer, and the bark in the fall, so it's only available for a limited window. Holy Basil, with its gift of supporting me through resetting my nervous system, synergizes perfectly with other complementary herbs. It's my go-to when creating formulations that address nervous system issues.