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Ocimum Sanctum--Holy Basil

Part of Holy Basil's success may be due to an extraction process used by it's manufacturer to "harvest" the herb's chemical compounds.

The process is called "supercritical extraction." Supercritical extraction is a way of pulling out a plant's biochemical ingredients without the use of toxic solvents like hexane or acetone, which are known toxins. And although residual levels of these toxins are quite small, slight traces of them can remain in herbs after the manufacturing process.

Heat is used to help remove these toxic residues from the herbal compounds. The problem with heating the herbs is that it can change or distort a plant's delicate biochemistry and effect it's potency. Because supercritical extraction does not use solvents ( it uses harmless carbon dioxide), heat is avoided. Perhaps most importantly, this process also results in the retention of a broad spectrum of the plant's constituent biochemical parts, so that more of the plant's "intelligence" is available.

According to a spokesperson for Mark Blumenthal, the president the American Boticanical Council, the supercritical extraction process provides many benefits over traditional extraction processes and is rapidly growing in popularity worldwide.

Holy Basil

For 5,000 years, an herb has been used first by the Indian culture and now worldwide, whose benefits are nothing short of spectacular.

Its well-known in the east -- but relatively little-known here in the United States. Because of it’s many powerful abilities to reduce stress and restore balance to the body and mind, it was called "Holy Basil" in it’s native India. Modern research shows that this ancient herb does that and much more.

AN ANTI-OXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY HERB
Research has documented that Holy Basil or Ocimim sanctum acts as an anti-oxidant and decreases stress hormones. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory with effectiveness similar to aspirin and ibuprofen. Unlike aspirin and ibuprofen it is not irritating to the stomach and in fact, it has properties that help to prevent ulcers caused by these drugs.

CANCER PROTECTION AND MORE -- INCLUDING DIABETES

Ocimum sanctum’s benefits don’t stop there. Its also been found to help prevent cancer and decrease cholesterol. Some types of diabetes mellitus especially non-insulin dependent (NIDDM) are benefited by Ocimum sanctum's ability to reduce blood glucose levels and protect the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin from damage. In a randomized, placebo controlled, cross over single blinded trial published in 1996 patients with NIDDM had a significant decrease in fasting and after meals blood glucose levels with holy basil. One of the more impressive findings is Ocimum sanctum’s ability to protect tissue from the damaging effects of radiation.

FASTER RECOVERY FROM STRESS
The most popular effect of holy basil and the reason for its rapidly increasing sales, is its effect on the central nervous system or the brain. Animal studies have found it has similar effects to a variety mood enhancing pharmaceuticals like stimulants and anti depressants. A more rapid recovery from stress is also noted.

DEPRESSION
Although there are no clinical studies on humans evaluating holy basil's psychological effects, a growing number of people in Cincinnati are impressed with its fast working effects. Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Barbara Hensley, Ed.D. says she’s observed patients taking Holy Basil respond to the herbs effects when nothing else worked.

One patient with severe anxiety and depression started on holy basil and within days was "like a completely different person, less depressed, less anxious and more focused." Six to 8 months later she's reportedly still doing well. Dr. Hensley was so impressed by this patient and other patients, she began taking it herself. She said she almost immediately felt more focused, had more energy, less fatigue and less depression.

DON'T CONFUSE THIS HERB WITH THE SPICE BASIL
Holy basil or Ocimum sanctum should not be confused with the common spice basil or Ocimum basilicum. The two are completely different plants. As always, its important to remember that true health does not come from one thing. Your whole lifestyle counts: diet, exercise, rest, meditation, absolutely everything. Don't rely on an herb alone. Use an herb as just another tool to help bring you balance.

Of course, don't go off your medications without your doctor’s supervision and let your doctor know everything you are taking. When taken properly herbs can safely help you balance your mind and body.

VEDIC MEDICINE AND HERBS AND PREVENTION
Ocimum Sanctum is an Ayurvedic herb. The view of Maharishi Vedic Medicine, a very complete expression of Ayurvedic knowledge available today, is that the same cosmic intelligence that organizes and evolves and designs all of life including the plants, designs our body.

So the two are designed to work in harmony. When herbs are used, they are viewed as methods of importing specific values of Nature's intelligence into our own body. Herb's therefore are a means to treat a fundemental imbalance as well as it’s symptoms.

Ideally, in the Ayurvedic model of medicine, herbs are preventative in nature. In an Ayurvedic model, imbalances are detected very early, through an extremely refined method of pulse diagnosis. At this stage, before the imbalances have developed into full-blown dis-ease, they are more manageable.

At that point these small imbalances are easy to treat with mild remedies, so balance can be quickly restored.

IT’S NOT 'ONE' THING
Its important to understand that in the Ayurvedic model of medicine, no single approach is used to restore balance to the body and mind. Maharishi Vedic Medicine emphasizes -- and modern scientific research supports this understanding -- that true balance results from a total lifestyle.

In this respect, a collection of approaches are utilized. They include: the practice of an effective meditation to profoundly calm and balance awareness, the regular use of particular foods at particular times, daily routine, aromas, sounds, purification techniques, architecture, relationships, behavior and breathing techniques.

RESOURCES
Christine Horner, MD (859) 341-3309
John Peterson, MD (765) 289-0161

More Information:

• The Raj, Ayurvedic Clinic (Iowa) (800) 248-9050
• Heavenly Mountain Ayurvedic Clinic (NC) (877) 890-8600
• Patterson Hourse Ayurvedic Clinic (Ottawa) (877)385-5350
• Maharishi Ayur-Veda College - (Quebec) (800) 575-5472

Suggested Reading:
Contemporary Ayurveda, Clark & Sharma
Awakening Nature's Healing Intelligence, Sharma Freedom from Disease, Sharma

Finding Holy Basil locally: ask your local health food store:
Clifton Natural Foods (513) 961-6111 (Clifton)
Susan's Natural World (513) 474-4990 (Beechmont)
Toomey's Natural Foods (513) 831-4771 (Milford)
Healthy Alternative (859) 282-5888 (Florence)
Healthy Alternative (513) 759-8788 (Westchester)
Amy's Natural Nutrition (513) 583-9879 (Symmes Township)
Cincinnati Natural Foods (513) 271-6766 (Maderia)
Cincinnati Natural Foods (513) 385-9622 (Colerain)
Healthy's Health Foods (513) 984-1333 (Blue Ash)
Herbs and More (859) 647-6673 (Covington)
The Herbalist (513) 521-5051 (College Hill)
G & Shirleys (513) 731-9090 (Pleasant Ridge)

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