Tulsi Tea Is the Natural Stress Remedy Missing from Your Life

I remember the first time I tried a hot cup of tulsi tea. Cold and vengeful February was in full swing, I had just been stuck on the subway for almost 2 hours getting back to Brooklyn, and I was on the verge of a panic attack. A natural brand I really love sent me a sampling of some herbal teas, including tulsi tea, and — feeling rattled — I decided to give it a shot. I remember the smell most distinctively. It was an insane mixture of cloves, lavender gardens, and burnt orange. It was like nothing I had ever smelled before. I wanted that smell to be in everything I used — bath bombs, essential oils, everything. After letting the tea bag steep for about 10 minutes per the instructions, I sipped my tulsi tea in bed, breathing deeply and letting the clove-y aroma envelop me. It was so soothing. It was therapy.

I recommend tulsi tea to my friends and family if they're feeling anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed by the day-to-day grind. It's not a cure-all, but a cup of tulsi tea is ritualistic and has become a powerful natural remedy for my own personal health and wellness.

Upon further research, I learned that tulsi (also called holy basil) is an herb central to Ayurvedic medicine and holistic healing, and tulsi tea is the most common application of the herb. With mounting evidence that points to the healing properties of tulsi — from anti-anxiety properties to its aid in counteracting the effects of physical stress — tulsi is considered sacred in some cultures, including Hinduism.

If you're feeling stressed, looking for a natural anti-anxiety remedy, or curious to add a new herbal tea to your repertoire, check out our tulsi tea recommendations.