What is Holy Basil? One of the Best Ways to Address Your Stress!
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nicole Avena
In today’s fast-paced world, many people experience periods of stress.
Since stress affects millions of American adults, let’s take a closer look at this issue and how to address it naturally.
Basics of Stress
Contrary to popular belief, not all stress is bad. Stress is a normal part of living and affects those of all ages. It can help improve your:
- Resilience
- Productivity
- Problem solving
- Ability to adapt to new challenges
Stress can become a problem when it’s intense, recurring, or remains unresolved over an extended period. At that point, stress can take a toll both physically and mentally. Stress can affect behavior, outlook, and overall health.
Many health concerns may be initiated or aggravated by stress. When stress is ongoing, it can increase the risk of developing problems related to your weight, heart, and mood.
One of the best natural ways to manage a healthy response to stress is with adaptogens.
What Are Adaptogens?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help your body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue and overall wellbeing. You can take adaptogens by adding them to food or beverages or take them as tinctures. Adaptogens bring your body back to a steady balance by managing both physical and mental stressors.”
Adaptogens are widely considered to be any natural substance that helps the body “adapt” to a variety of difficulties. They’re a unique class of herbs that can help the body resist physical, chemical, and biological stressors. They’ve been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine.
Today, adaptogens are gaining popularity for their purported ability to improve health and well-being. This is likely due to our lives becoming more and more inundated with stress. Many people are bombarded with stressors from work, family life, and the 24/7 news cycle.
Adaptogens work by helping to regulate the body’s stress response. This regulation can occur at the level of the adrenal glands, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, or the sympathetic nervous system. By regulating these stress response systems, adaptogens can help keep the body in a state of homeostasis (balance).
There are many different types of adaptogens, and each has its own set of benefits. However, they all share one common goal: to help the body better cope with stress.
Let’s take a closer look at one of the most potent adaptogens.
Holy Basil
An adaptogenic herb, holy basil supports the body’s natural protective response to physical and emotional stress.* Adaptogenic herbs don’t alter mood, but they can help the body function optimally during times of stress.* Research demonstrates that they do this by modulating the production of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.*
Holy basil has been long revered as a powerful antioxidant with antibacterial, analgesic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.* Compelling research data suggests that holy basil’s greatest potential lies in the areas of promoting relaxation and a healthy response to stress.*
According to clinical research, holy basil may help support the body’s natural response to stress. A six-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study examined subjects with stress symptoms. Those who received a holy basil extract formula showed a 39% greater improvement in stress symptoms than those who received a placebo.
If you’re dealing with excessive stress, consider trying holy basil, which is different than the basil used as an herb in many meals.
BrainMD offers high-quality, brain directed supplements that can help you feel calm, content, and better able to manage stress or mental strain.
If you’re looking for a premium stress support supplement that includes holy basil, we’re proud to offer…
Everyday Stress Relief
Everyday Stress Relief was designed to help replenish your brain and body’s nutrients that can be depleted by stress. This supplement includes herbal extracts clinically proven to have calming and anti-stress effects, without making you sleepy.* It also helps with apprehension, tension, worry, and fatigue.*
Here’s what you’ll find in this high-potency formula:
Magnesium is a well-known calming mineral. It promotes a balanced and mentally focused demeanor.*
The amino acid taurine supports the adrenal glands and is crucial for coping with stress.*
The herb holy basil, revered both in Europe and the East, helps to improve adaptation to occasional anxious thoughts and other problems related to stress.*
A phytochemical derived from green tea, l-theanine helps to manage tension.*
Relora®, which is a unique mix of two herbs, may enhance healthy management of the stress hormone cortisol while easing tension, anger, negative mood, and confusion.*
This safe, non-sedating, and non-habit-forming formula combines the multiple beneficial actions of these well-studied herbs and nutrients to help your brain and body cope with stress on multiple levels.*
Natural, Nutritional Boost
While it’s perfectly natural to feel the effects of stress, if you need a little added support to provide some relief and peace of mind, look for foods and supplements with holy basil. Getting more adaptogenic herbs, like holy basil, into your diet may be an important step in optimizing your health.
If you’re looking for a natural way to help manage stress, give Everyday Stress Relief a try today.
At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about Everyday Stress Relief or our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
