Holy Basil is a widely cultivated plant, it is a tender perennial, and in many areas is grown as an annual. Holy Basil is a bushy, aromatic herb that is native to Asia but now is grown in many warm climates world-wide. It has a pungent, peppery flavor and can be used as a culinary herb. There are two main types of Holy Basil: green-leaved and purple-leaved, this is the green leaved type.
Holy Basil plants are extremely important in the Hindu religion. In the Hindu religion the herb plants, called Tulsi, are worshiped morning and evening. As a medicinal herb, Tulsi Holy Basil is used to fight fevers associated with malaria, dengue fever, colds and flu by making a tea from the leaves. The Holy Basil teas also soothe sore throats, coughs, and respiratory ailments. Holy Basil is considered to be an adaptogen and helps protect the body against stress.