Considering the immune system works consistently to protect your body from bacteria and germs, it's a good idea to feed it foods and other nutrients that help to strengthen its effect. Holy basil is one herb long connected to improving immune system function. As an adaptogen, holy basil is flexible when it comes to your body's needs, whether your immune system needs to be stimulated or calmed. As with any herbal supplement, talk with your doctor before using holy basil to treat a condition.
Identification
Holy basil is an herb that comes from the Ocimum tenuiflorum plant. Growing wild in India, it has long been used medicinally for such ailments as fever, pain, bronchitis and vomiting, notes physician Sarah Sallee Jones in "Hyperlipidemia Management for Primary Care." This herb contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants, and has recognized anti-inflammatory properties. Herbalists and Ayurvedic practitioners often recommend holy basil for patients with heart and blood diseases, diabetes, arthritis, and asthma, and to improve immune function.
Immune System
The immune system is your body's defensive function that keeps you healthy and disease free. More specifically, the immune system is a group of cells that fight off bacteria and other invaders, help to heal cuts and bruises, and restore your body to health after the cold or flu, as characterized by physicians Stuart H. Ditchek and Russell H. Greenfield in "Healthy Child, Whole Child." Over time, your immune system learns what to consider a foreign invader, and builds up immunity to things that previously impacted your body. Sometimes, unfortunately, your immune system can become overactive and start to see parts of itself as invader, which is when autoimmune disorders develop.
Function
Holy basil is an adaptogen, meaning it helps your body adapt to different factors that cause stress. Holy basil benefits the immune system via modulating properties that increase immune function when necessary for defense, or diminish the response when it goes into overdrive, as is the case with autoimmune disorders. Holy basil's anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties also protect against liver damage, help to heal the skin and benefit the thyroid, according to herbalist David Winston and co-author Steven Maimes in "Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief."
Considerations
As an adaptogen, holy basil can either stimulate or calm your immune system, depending on what your body needs. This can be preferable to other immune system stimulants, such as vitamin C, if you suffer from an autoimmune disorder. Either way, check with your doctor before using holy basil to treat an ailment. There are no studies on its long-term use as a supplement, so it cannot be classified as safe. If you are pregnant or are about to have surgery, do not use holy basil.
References
- "Hyperlipidemia Management for Primary Care: An Evidence-Based Approach"; Brian V. Reamy, M.D., editor; 2008
- "Healthy Child, Whole Child"; Stuart H. Ditchek, M.D., et al.; 2009
- "Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief"; David Winston, R.H., et al.; 2007
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