First we must examine what exactly stress is and what happens
to the body during stress. Stress is something everyone
experiences every day and a natural part of life. The body
responds to stress by releasing adrenaline and corticosterone
giving you the so called “Fight-or-Flight” response, this
occurs automatically. Your adrenal glands produce these
hormones which include cortisol, adrenaline, and corticosterone
which give you an energy boost to fight or run away. These
hormones boost energy, increase awareness and focus which
happen whether it’s a physical threat or emotional stress. Some
stress in life is good for us. Stress helps keep us focused
while there is an emergency; however, it’s chronic stress that
causes a problem.

When stress becomes chronic, elevated stress hormones can be a
problem. These stress hormones effect inflammation, immune
system response, and metabolism. When our bodies are
continually stressed these hormones are continually high and
can affect the nervous system causing anxiety and depression,
suppress the immune system which can lead to sickness or
disease, or effect the digestive function causing over eating
and weight gain. Although we don’t want to turn off the stress
mechanism, we don’t want to remain in a state of constant
stress. (1-3)

There is hope, Holy basil is an herb found in India used for
more 3000 years for medicinal purposes. Holy basil is a member
of the mint family. Closely related to the sweet basil we cook
with. Holy basil is native to tropical regions of Asia and can
now be found throughout the tropical parts of the world. Holy
basil is a strong antioxidant that demonstrates antibacterial,
antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. (4-6) Holy basil
has been used to treat everything from the common cold to
bronchitis and even fever. Holy basil has been used as a
digestive aid and can be good for ulcers. Let’s examine how
modern science has taken a closer look at this herb.

In the past ten years scientific studies have focused on the
benefits of holy basil consumed orally. These studies have
revealed great promise and suggesting holy basil may indeed
provide effective relief of those previously mentioned
customary uses. Studies have even suggested that holy basil can
be taken with radiation therapy to help fight side effects, and
even good for diabetes. (4,5,7-9) Holy basil’s greatest
potential is in the area of stress relief and relaxation.

Holy basil is an adaptogen, enhancing the body’s ability to
cope with physical and emotional stress. Adaptogenic herbs help
the body function at optimal levels during stress with out
effecting mood. Several studies examining holy basil have found
this amazing herb to lower corticosterone levels. Lowering
corticosterone can improve mental clarity and memory and help
reduce age related mental disorders. 10 Lets look further to
see how this actually works.

Holy basil has various compounds that provide health benefits.
Such as, eugenol and caryophyllene which are aromatic compounds
that are pleasing fragrant scents said to boost mood and spirit.
Studies suggest that eugenol helps combat stress and enhance
mental clarity. Triterpenoic acid an isolate of holy basil has
been shown to improve the body’s response to stress. Several
studies have examined the anti-stress effects of the different
components of holy basil. When isolated and examined
individually, the eugenol and caryophyllene significantly
reduced the corticosterone level and helped the body cope with
stress, elevate mood and improve mental clarity. (12-14)

If you are looking for a good brand of holy basil, look for a
product that is standardized to the active ingredients eugenol,
caryophyllene and triterpenoic acid, in the form of ursolic and
oleanolic acid. These components differ significantly in their
chemical structure, different extraction methods are needed to
get the most beneficial components out of holy basil. There are
three extraction methods that are most common, steam
distillation, alcohol extraction, and super critical (CO2)
extraction.

Steam distillation breaks down plant tissue and pulls out the
essential oils and key components released into the steam and
collected when cooled.

Alcohol extraction is a bit more complex and the most
frequently used form of extraction. The plant is complete
dissolved and distilled for purification. Then alcohol is
applied to remove the insoluble plant constituents, and then
the solution is distilled to remove the alcohol leaving only
the active components.

Finally, supercritical extraction has become popular, where
carbon dioxide (CO2) under extreme pressure to removed the
active components of the herb. This process is executed at low
temperature which preserves the components ensuring that the
components aren’t damaged by high temperature. High
temperatures can alter or damage the components of holy basil
and this is why CO2 extraction is becoming more popular.

Stress can be triggered at any time in life both physical
stress and mental stress. Over time the negative effects of
stress can affect our health through our immune system,
digestion, or nervous system. Figuring out what is causing
stress in life and working to eliminate this stress can
ultimately bring healing to your body, holy basil can help aid
in the process by reducing the stress hormones and help in
recovery for quick relieve of your daily woes.

References:
1. Dallman MF, Pecoraro N, Akana SF, La Fleur SE, Gomez F,
Houshyar H, Bell ME, Bhatnagar S, Laugero KD, Manalo S. Chronic
stress and obesity: a new view of "comfort food". Proc Natl Acad
Sci U S A. 2003 Sep 30;100(20):11696-701.
2. Sapolsky R. Stress, Glucocorticoids, and Damage to the
Nervous System: The Current State of Confusion. Stress. 1996
;1:1-19.
3. Elenkov IJ, Chrousos GP. Stress hormones, proinflammatory
and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and autoimmunity. Ann N Y Acad
Sci. 2002 Jun;966:290-303.
4. Gupta SK, Prakash J, Srivastava S. Validation of traditional
claim of Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum Linn. as a medicinal plant.
Indian J Exp Biol. 2002 Jul;40(7):765-73.
5. Uma Devi P. Radioprotective, anticarcinogenic and
antioxidant properties of the Indian holy basil, Ocimum sanctum
(Tulasi). Indian J Exp Biol. 2001 Mar;39(3):185-90.
6. Geeta, Vasudevan DM, Kedlaya R, Deepa S, Ballal M. Activity
of Ocimum sanctum (the traditional Indian medicinal plant)
against the enteric pathogens. Indian J Med Sci. 2001
Aug;55(8):434-8, 472.
7. Prakash J, Gupta SK. Chemopreventive activity of Ocimum
sanctum seed oil. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Sep;72(1-2):29-34.
8. Vrinda B, Uma Devi P. Radiation protection of human
lymphocyte chromosomes in vitro by orientin and vicenin. Mutat
Res. 2001 Nov 15;498(1-2):39-46.
9. Agrawal P, Rai V, Singh RB. Randomized placebo-controlled,
single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients with
noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Int J Clin Pharmacol
Ther. 1996 Sep;34(9):406-9.
10. Montaron MF, Drapeau E, Dupret D, Kitchener P, Aurousseau
C, Le Moal M, Piazza PV, Abrous DN. Lifelong corticosterone
level determines age-related decline in neurogenesis and
memory. Neurobiol Aging. 2005 Jun 10.
11. Sembulingam K, Sembulingam P, Namasivayam A. Effect of
Ocimum sanctum Linn on the changes in central cholinergic
system induced by acute noise stress. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005
Jan 15;96(3):477-82.
12. Sembulingam K, Sembulingam P, Namasivayam A. Effect of
Ocimum sanctum Linn on noise induced changes in plasma
corticosterone level. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1997
Oct;41(4):429-30.
13. Archana R, Namasivayam A. Effect of Ocimum sanctum on noise
induced changes in neutrophil functions. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000
Nov;73(1-2):81-5.
14. Sen P, Maiti PC, Puri S, Ray A, Audulov NA, Valdman AV.
Mechanism of antistress activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn,
eugenol and Tinospora malabarica in experimental animals.
Indian J Exp Biol. 1992 Jul;30(7):592-6.


About The Author: Visit VitaNet Health Foods at
http://vitanetonline.com/. VitaNet sells high quality vitamins
and herbs at discount prices and name brands like Source
Naturals and Planetary Formulas.