I have brewed more cups of this simple infusion than any other blend, despite an ever growing collection of dried herbs and flowers and my voracious thirst for the knowledge and lived experience that comes with different herbal pairings.

Akin to a favorite blanket fresh out of the laundry, this concoction always comforts and refreshes and never grows boring or old. This ephemeral quality is no doubt credited to the use of tulsi, or holy basil, which is one of the herbal staples in Ayurveda.

Tulsi refers to any member of the holy basil cultivar, including the popular variant Rama Tulsi, which boasts a cooling property and a mellow, slightly sweet and minty taste.

Krishna Tulsi is named after the God Krishna, who possesses deep purple skin like the leaves of this variant. Krishna Tulsi tastes more fresh and crisp, possibly due to the higher levels of astringent anthocyanins responsible for its dark hue.

Another variant would be the Vana Tulsi, which boasts a sweeter, anise-like flavor and is the most fragrant of the three.

In the Ayurvedic tradition, Tulsi is known to increase one’s ojas and prana. The nuanced concept of ojas can be plainly described as one’s immunity and joie de vivre thanks to the healthy and pure flow of the hormonal, sexual, and cerebrospinal fluids. Prana is likened to one’s vitality and vigor. The plant is also considered to imbue the consumer with it’s innate traits of lightness, clarity, and warmth.

Tulsi is considered an adaptogen– a substance that promotes the body to maintain a state of homeostasis. In other words, adaptogens enhance the body’s ability to maintain harmony and balance. They can be consumed to promote one’s general health as they stabilize the body’s multiple processes.

I love to focus on Tulsi’s ability to aid in stress management, which shows up as more balanced blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid levels. Tulsi also calms and soothes the heart and mind with its anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant properties.

Blended together, these tulsi varieties create a lovely, deep, but rounded profile that welcomes the subtle sweetness of rose, which happens to be useful for soothing the internal world of mind and mood. This makes for a calming after-breakfast tonic that helps rehydrate and ease any of the possible tension caused by a morning cup of coffee. Personally, I brew a cup or two of this blend before meditation, as it enhances calmness of mind and my ability to maintain a single pointed but softened focus.

Tulsi Rose Tea

Makes 1 jar (around 12-20 servings with 1-2 tsp per cup)

1 c organic dried tulsi leaves comprised of any ratio of the tulsi available to you

1/3 c organic dried rose petals

Place the herbs into a glass jar and shake well. Use 1-2 teaspoons per cup of hot water and allow to steep in a covered vessel for 5-15 minutes.

To add more sweetness, you can stir in half a teaspoon of rosewater before serving.