Holy Basil Cancer Cure

Holy basil combined with other herbs,juices and supplements can boost the performance of a cancer treatment. Alone is will not cure cancer but its therapeutic ability boosts the synergy of cancer treatment.

Other Names: Ocimum Sanctum, Tulsi

Holy basil is part of the mint family and has been used in Indian homes for hundreds of years. Researchers from Karmanos Cancer Institute were interested in studying the effects of the holy basil, which appear to have antioxidant, cancer-inhibiting, and anti-inflammatory properties on human breast cancer.

The research showed that holy basil appeared to inhibit the size and progression of the tumor in relation to breast cancer. Holy Basil also reduced the number of the blood vessels leading to the tumor without causing any harm to the healthy tissue and cells of the body. Restricting the number of blood vessels supplying a tumor reduces the risk of the cancer escaping the primary tumor and metastasizing to other organs. It also acts to starve the cancer by blocking the tumor from receiving its supply of oxygen and nutrients, causing the cancerous cells to die.

In a 1999 research, extracts from holy basil were also found to reduce solid tumor volume and increase lifespan. In a more recent research, it was found that holy basil can be a potent anti-metastatic candidate. Holy basil was also found to have lipid-lowering and antioxidative properties. Another research found that holy basil extract induces apoptosis on lung carcinoma.

Other recent studies found that holy basil’s antioxidant properties, which may be responsible and favorable for faster wound healing, may be useful in the management of abnormal healing and hypertropic scars. Aside from its antioxidative and apoptotic properties, holy basil was also found to have antiproliferative activity.

The Maimonides Medical Center reports that the stem and leaves of holy basil have a variety of active constituents that may have biological activity. These include tannins, saponins, triterpenoids and flavonoids. The leaf of the holy basil contains an essential oil composed of volatile compounds, including eugenol. According to test tube studies, these constituents are known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

These researches on holy basil is indeed promising but there is currently a lack of studies on its effectivity on humans.

Holy Basil Historical Medical Usage

Holy basil, or tulsi, is part of the mint family and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine since ancient civilization in India. Holy Basil is also known as the Queen of Herbs. For centuries the herb has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and has been used in home remedies to treat respiratory tract infections, allergies, and asthma.

Holy basil has been used as a mosquito repellant in India and South Africa. The leaves of the holy basil has also been used for aromatic and rheumatic baths. Decoction of holy basil roots and leaves are used for gonorrhea. Dried holy basil has also been used for croup, diarrhea, catarrh, and bronchitis. Decoction of holy basil roots are used as diaphoretic for malarial fevers. The juice from the leaf is used for earache. Infusion of the leaves are used for stomach and hepatic infections. Fresh holy basil juice induces vomiting and expels worms. When mixed with honey, ginger, and onion juice, holy basil is used as an expectorant for bronchitis and coughs. In Java, holy basil is being used to increase milk secretion. In India, holy basil leaf juice is traditionally used for cough, bronchitis, asthma, malaria, dysentery, stress situations, worm infestations, superficial fungal infections, and as a diuretic.

In animal studies, pretreatment with methanol extracts of holy basil reduced brain damage caused by reduced cerebral circulation. Alcohol extracts of this herb showed significant antistress activities in mice exposed to acute and chronic noise stress. Use of holy basil prevented increased corticosterone levels that indicate elevated stress levels. A water extract of holy basil protected mice against radiation damage to the liver and chromosome damage to the cells.

Other animal studies provided preliminary evidence that holy basil lowers blood sugar levels, helps prevent gastric ulcers, and enhances antibody production while inhibiting the symptoms of allergies.

Holy Basil Health Benefits

• Radioprotective
• Hypoglycemic
• Anti-anxiety
• Anti-tussive
• Antibacterial
• Central Nervous System Protective
• Antioxidant
• Has Myocardial Salvaging Effect
• Anti-cancer
• Anti-ulcer
• Antidiabetic
• Hepatoprotective
• Anti-stress
• Reduces Blood Pressure
• Treats Colds
• Treats Malaria
• Treats Headaches
• Treats Coughs
• Treats Gastric Disorders
• Antiviral
• Antifungal
• Antitubercular
• Antimalarial
• Scavenges Free Radicals
• Stimulates Immune System
• Prevents Degenerative Diseases
• Treats Asthma
• Mosquito Repellant
• Treats Gonorrhea
• Treats Diarrhea
• Treats Croup
• Treats Catarrh
• Treats Bronchitis
• Treats Dysentry
• Diuretic

Holy Basil Dosage

Typical doses of holy basil used in human trials are 1,000 to 2,500 mg per day. You can take it in a dried, powdered leaf form, all at once or divided into smaller amounts throughout the day. In Ayurvedic medicine, holy basil is often prepared as an herbal tea to help build up stamina.

Holy Basil Precaution

Holy basil is generally a very safe healing herb. There have been contradictory animal studies showing that holy basil might be toxic to embryos. Until conclusive information exists, avoid using it during pregnancy. Holy basil is also reported to have an antifertility effect and should be avoided if a woman is trying to get pregnant.

Holy Basil Tea Recipe

Boil holy basil leaves for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add raw honey to make it sweeter. Serve hot.

Holy Basil Products

Holy Basil Tea
http://bit.ly/ffTKQu

Holy Basil Supplements
http://bit.ly/hbI3ig

Holy Basil Powder
http://bit.ly/gwWlO2

Holy Basil Research Links

Ethanol extract of Ocimum sanctum exerts anti-metastatic activity through inactivation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and enhancement of anti-oxidant enzymes.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20233602

Antioxidant Activity and Lipid-Lowering Effect of Essential Oils Extracted from Ocimum sanctum L. Leaves in Rats Fed with a High Cholesterol Diet.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20104265

Ocimum sanctum induces apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells and suppresses the in vivo growth of Lewis lung carcinoma cells.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19277950

Combinatorial chemopreventive effect of Azadirachta indica and Ocimum sanctum on oxidant-antioxidant status, cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis in a rat forestomach carcinogenesis model.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18946617

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Wound Healing Effects of Alcoholic and Aqueous Extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn in Rats.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18317555

Protective effect of Ocimum sanctum on 3-methylcholanthrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and aflatoxin B1 induced skin tumorigenesis in mice.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17669454

Proliferation, angiogenesis and apoptosis-associated proteins are molecular targets for chemoprevention of MNNG-induced gastric carcinogenesis by ethanolic Ocimum sanctum leaf extract.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17609827

Anticancer Activity of Ocimum Sanctum.
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1076/phbi.37.4.285.5801